Error stops exchange student from going to school
A foreign exchange student from Kazakhstan arrived in Frederick, Maryland only to learn a filing error will prevent her from attending Frederick High School. Faced with going home, her host family is paying private tuition out of their pocket.
After two years of preparation and 24 hours of travel, Taissiya "Tai" Kryazhova met her host family and quickly felt at home.
"They're great people, I love them," she told us.
When the Maroses invited Tai into their home, they expected Frederick High School to welcome her, too. Instead, school officials said Tai's paperwork was a day late and a few signatures short.
Peg Marose, however, said, "When I talked to the registrar she said it wouldn't be a problem."
In a letter to the Maroses dated the same day Tai arrived, the principal said Tai could not attend.
"She didn't meet me, she didn't know me, she didn't talk to me, she make so fast decision," said Tai.
Then, Peg Marose said, "The minute they said no, we knocked on the next door and the next door because I worked for the Air Force as a civilian and the first thing they taught me was for any regulation there can be a waiver."
Classes start on Monday. So far, there is no waiver.
Marose said, "That doesn't make us good ambassadors."
As for Tai, she said, "I cried all the time."
Tai cannot stay without attending school so her host family enrolled her at Frederick Christian Academy and paid $7500.
"I feel uncomfortable that my host parents will need to pay because it's a lot of money, a lot a lot of money," said Tai.
As a compromise, Frederick school officials say Tai could transfer for the second semester. Her host mother doesn't agree with that plan.
"If you have the power to do it then, you have the power to do it now," said Marose.
As for why the family was late with the paperwork, they signed up to host four days before pre-enrollment was due. The program, Pacific Intercultural Exchange, had problems reaching Frederick High because many people were out on summer vacation and they thought the Maroses could sign the documents after Taissiya arrived.
The Maroses say they recognize and respect those rules. They say they just feel there should be some leniency, especially considering Tai is a foreign exchange student who will return home and share her American experience with her family and friends.
RecommendedRecent Facebook Activity
Best of TBD In case you missed it
-
The worst meals in America
Here's a visual look at the eight most delicious, disgusting meals in the country.
TBD Blogs What you need to read
-
@TBD Arts
Kennedy Center to give away tickets to every show of the 2011-2012 season
-
The Market Report
A sneak peek at the new Foggy Bottom Whole Foods
-
@TBD On Foot
Obnoxious Metro station encounters, Dupont Circle edition
Only On 7
-
ABC7's Interactive 7-day Forecast!
Now you can get customized weather right down to your street! Plan your day and week ahead with ABC7's Interactive 7-day forecast!

5 Comments