2009 march-special newsletter - final

8/14/2019 2009 March-special Newsletter - Final

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NEWSLETTERMARCH2009

WWW.AFSCP.COM Visit your local AFS website. It is a great resource for volunteers, host families, and exchange students.

James Spears, Area Team Webmaster

The Dalles hosted its first AFSexchange student in 1957 and has bothsent and hosted one or two students mostevery year since for a total of 95. As weare a small community of 13,000 theseAFS students have been involved withmany families and left us with fondmemories.

We, Tedd and Rymmel Lovell, becameinvolved with AFS in 1994 when wehosted our first exchange son fromAustralia. We completed a teaching

exchange to Adelaide, South Australia in 1992 and wantedanother connection in a different part of that country. It workedfantastically, and since then our exchange son has returned to ustwice for visits, and we have met his parents on two vacations aswell.

Since 1994, we have hosted students from Australia (1), Japan(2), Argentina (1), Thailand (1), Italy (1) and a teacher from Spain(1). We have been a temporary host family for students fromEgypt (1), India (1), and Japan (1).

Our daughter Deidre went with us on the teaching exchangeas a 9 th grade student. In 1996 she asked to do her ownexchange as a high school senior. She went to Kiruna, Swedenabove the Arctic Circle. She asked for a placement where shecould ski and she was well rewarded. Since then we havereturned with her and our granddaughter to visit her host parentsand see their country.

We have been involved with AFS through the years asfundraising chairs, hosting coordinator, liaison to several students,host parents, bus chaperones, chauffeurs, and now chapter chair/

coordinator. We enjoy getting to know each student along withthe countries and customs they bring to our table. We oftensearch the internet to see the home country where a student lives,their community, neighborhood, school and home. English is our only language but a smile and carefully chosen words can go along way towards comfortable communication. Weve never metanyone with whom we couldnt share.

Ted and Rymmel Lovell, Columbia Gorge Chapter

Being Great HostsThe Columbia Gorge Chapter

Tedd and Rymmel Lovell with Roger and Sheryl Treenfrom Healsville, Australia. They are Matt Treen'sparents. We first met them in Australia to visit Matt in2000, traveled with them to Hawaii in 2002, to England in 2004,and last summer at our home in The Dalles when they came tovisit 2008.

Welcome New Hosting Co-coordinators!AFS Columbia Pacific welcomes our new Area Team Hosting Co-coordinators! Stacey Mills and Andrea Johnson havetaken over the reins as Hosting Co-coordinators for the Area Team.

My name is Stacey Mills. I live inbeautiful Portland, Oregon. I havetraveled all over the world andh a v e h a d g r e a t c u l t u r a lexperiences everywhere. In myexperience, shared peace, joy andacceptance is the universallanguage of understanding. I

believe that AFS provides theopportunity to build bridges of cultural understanding betweendifferent nations.

My name is Andrea Johnsonand I am an AFS returneefrom Austria `94-`95. I am astay-at-home mom of twolittle girls who keep mehopping all the time. I havebeen involved with AFS onand off since my family first

hosted over 20 yearsago. AFS is an organizationI believe in, so I am veryexcited to join this team.


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YOUR AFS WORLD

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AFS Columbia PacificInvites you and your family to join us in celebrating and

thanking

YOUOur volunteers

Volunteer awards and presentations,festive hors doeuvres and beverages,

and lively conversation

Sunday, April 19th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.Who Song & Larrys

111 SE Columbia WayVancouver, WA 98661

Bring the kids. The entire family is welcome.

Watch your mail for an invitation, too.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

THE CHAIR REPORTBonnie Richardson-Kott

Im the Chair of the local volunteer board for AFS in the areareferred to as the Columbia Pacific Area Team. As the chair, I getto work with fantastic volunteers who seek out good host families,interview students and families, and organize trips and

orientations among many other activities. I came to be an activevolunteer because of my direct contact with the many wonderfulstudents from around the world and my wanting to help thosestudents take part in the best exchange experience while inWashington and Oregon.

Ive had the opportunity to participate in many volunteer rolesbut perhaps the most cherished role Ive had is as a host mom toSiyan from Malaysia. Siyan came to live with my family 2 yearsago and stayed with us for only 6 months. Those months flew byand my family still misses her. We learned so much about acountry that we new very little about. (My two boys love to pointout Malaysia on the globe to their friends.) Even though she hasgone back to Malaysia, Siyan is still part of our family and she willbe for a lifetime our sister, daughter and friend.

You, too, can have the experience of a lifetime. Host anexchange student. It will open your hearts and minds andextend your family by a few thousand miles.

Bonnie Richardson-Kott, Columbia Pacific Area Team Chair

AFS Has Deep Roots Since our founding in 1947, AFS has matched host families with high school students from all over the world. More than 350,000 families and students worldwide have experienced the lifelong rewards of participating in AFS. Many of our volunteers are former host families or previous program participants, which speaks to the impact being an exchange student has on peoples lives.

AFS Columbia Pacific Volunteer Appreciation Event


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YOUR AFS WORLD

How has AFS changed your life?~ My life has changed in an amazing

way, I have learned so much about theworld and myself within thisexperience Carolina, Chile

~ It teaches me to respect differentculture by offering me the chance toknow people from different countries.Getting countless help from my hostfamily and other volunteers strengthensmy belief that we are undoubtedly ableto make the world a greater place.Living away from parents and friendsback in China, I get more mature,independent and responsible. ThankAFSLibin, Visiting Teacher, China

~ It brought to me my best time in my lifeand the best experiences ever :) -Vera, Germany

~ AFS gave me the opportunity to stay inAmerica and to be here Killian,Germany

~ I see things way different now, and ismore interested in other cultures. Ihave learned how well I have it inDenmark. I know how much I love myown family and friends, and howimportant they are for me. I found outthat I will be super lonely if I would livefor myself in an apartment, so I aminstead going to live in a collective for college students. :D Maria, Denmark

~ It has changed my live with giving me

the opportunity to go to America. Ilearned some great things here that Ihopefully never forget. Daniel,Austria

~ AFS changed my life a lot!!! I think Im just growing up and Im gettingconcerned about more adult stuff likepolitics or the actual climate change. Ithink I gained a lot more self

confidence too Philip, Germany ~ My life has been changed already.

Right now I am in tennis team. I couldnever think I would play this kind of

sport. Besides, I recognized manyissues in society doing my senior project. And I got opportunity tocompare my school and Americanschools, so I already know that aredifferences. For example, teacher andstudent involvement. I went throughAmerican education program. Another valuable thing in which I have beenchanged is my family and friends backhome. I understand how they areimportant to me. I am happy for eachemail or letter that I get from them. Ithink it encourages me a lot. Raima,Kyrgyzstan

~ AFS changed my life in this way, that Iam more open towards people, that Irealized that not everything is as badas it looks like and that every day couldbe the best of my life. It lies in myhand, what I make out of my life. To beindependent and to make my owndecisions is the greatest gift you couldhave. Anna-Lena, Germany

~ By opening up my eyes even more tothe world outside. AFS has been abridge for me to all the fantasticexperiences I have had over here sofar, also AFS has let me meet one of

my very best friends over here! -Andreas, Denmark ~ My experience with AFS has taught me

to live intensely every moment of mylife and to be open to any newexperience. Because it doesnt matter if the experience is good or bad, youalways learn something. Lucia,Spain

~ I have gotten to know myself better andwhat I think I really never thought of that they are so important for me.Ellen, Germany

~ This year is my huge abyss. It teachesme about the real world and real lifethat in somehow not like what weusually thought it was. Also Ive grownup and learn how to be independentand roots me abroad friendship whichwill be forever. Pimchanok,Thailand

~ This exchange program has changedmy view of life. I have learned so muchabout myself and other peopleJuulia, Finland

~ AFS let me learn different cultures, seemore about the world and have adifferent idea about the tings surroundme. AFS lets me have the chance toexperience a different life Dianhong,China

~ AFS gives a lot of chances to me. I meta lot of people from many kind of nations. I can try a lot of activities that Inever have done before in my country.I have friends from many kind of countries also. I learn about how tolive with them that have differentculture. THANK YOU VERY MUCHNutnida, Thailand

~ A lot. AFS change my life, made me

see the world and my life in a differentway. Being so far away from myparents made me independent person,more mature, free, responsible, thinkmore in my future. Now I would like tolearn more about different cultures,travel, visit my new friends around theworld. I think this is the bestexperience of my life. I love AFS! -Monica, Costa Rica

Stacey and Andrea have hit the ground running. A new

Columbia Pacific hosting blog has been set up for chapter/cluster coordinators, host families and students. Thehosting team hopes this blog will accomplish the followingfour things:

~ Highlight information on students we are currentlylooking to place with host families.

~ Provide exciting information on students who havealready been placed with a host family.

~ Distribute information on changes in hostingprocedures, policies or training meetings.

~ Generate interest from potential host families who wouldlike to learn more about hosting but are unsure who to

contact.

As this busy hosting season descends upon us, we hopethat you will visit the Columbia Pacific hosting blog often.This tool should provide a valuable opportunity to keepeveryone up to date on the daily happenings of our studentsand their placements!

How to access this blog? Go to the AFS Columbia Pacificwebsite (www.afscp.com), click on current volunteers,click on visit the hosting blog/view incoming students. ORyou can go directly to the blog at the following web address.www.afscp.com/weblogs/hosting.htm.

Make sure you scroll through the entire blog to view all ofthis important information.

Stacy Mills & Andrea Johnson, Hosting Co-coordinators

*** New Hosting Co-coordinators Launch a Hosting Blog ***

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5/12

The Way AFS Touched My Life Rustam Kocher

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YOUR AFS WORLD

I don't think I can find any possible way to describe how AFS and myoverseas experience has changed and touched my life. From the time Iwas born, to the day I pass, my life has been and will be blessed byamazing people and experiences, all due to AFS.

My grandparents hosted two students when my father was growing up--a Chilean named Pachi, and a Japanese fellow named Hideo. For mygrandfather to host a Japanese man in his home just a few short yearsafter he had been tasked with trying to win WWII was a feat I have never really wrapped my brain around.

My parents were set on hosting, and waited until they thought my sister and I were ready. Nothing could have prepared us for "The Italian Stallion"Marcello, a wonderful person who I am proud to call my brother. After wefinished with one and sent them tearfully on their way, we tended to take inanother. Hugue from Belgium, Yvonne from Switzerland, Patrik fromSweden, Ismail from Egypt, Anja from Finland and Siri from Norway. Theyare all my brothers and sisters, as are many others who came and stayed and went back home again, after they left their mark on our psyche and our hearts. We even hosted a second generation, as Hideo's daughter came to live with my parents, in order to go tocollege.

As I had so much contact with AFS and students from around the world, I naturally wanted to participate in the program. My sister

had gone on a "Congress Bundestag" full-scholarship program to Germany, and I applied to go too, thinking that free was a very goodprice. I encouraged my girlfriend at the time to apply as well. Funny thing how fate works. She was accepted, and went toGermany. I was the first alternate, and did not get to go. The following year I applied to the normal AFS program, and left theapplication blank where it asked what country I would prefer. I only knew that I had met so many people from so many places that Iwas incapable of making such a momentous decision at such a young age.

It turns out I was awarded one of the hardest placements at the time (along with Tunisia): Indonesia. There are more difficultplacements now, as the Eastern Block has opened up, as has the African continent. When I received my placement papers, I had togo find the country on the map. Not an auspicious start. By the time I was ready to leave, I knew how to say, "Terima Kasih" (thankyou), "Dimana kamar kecil" (where's the bathroom) and "Saya lapar" (I'm hungry). My shaky start continued. Like any AFS student,however, I adapted quickly, and was soon flying kites from the rooftop with my brothers and playing soccer and basketball in myschool courtyard.

The experience and knowledge that I gained my my year in Indonesia was incalculable. How else would I have found that I had thecourage to ride a bicycle in Jakarta traffic, or eat a Durian or to ride a Metro Mini/Bajaj/Microlet? I fully embraced the people, thelanguage, the culture and the full flavor of the experience. Soccer in the (concrete) schoolyard, the warungs (sidewalk stands), myschool (SMA 82 DAHA), Blok M (before it was a mall), Senayan (before it too, was a mall), trips to Bandung and Padang. Everythingthat happened, good or bad, I digested and processed, eager for more. Those of you who know me also know that along with fallingin love with the country & culture of Indonesia, I also fell in love with a particular person as well.

The funny part of that relationship was that her father was the person who had persuaded my host family to host an AFSstudent! So, despite his adamant rejection of me as a person his oldest daughter should be involved with, he was, in fact, the personwho had caused fate to bring us together. We "backstreet" dated for a good part of my AFS year, and parted with many tears at theend of the year. Many letters and phone calls (there was no internet or e-mail in Indonesia yet!!) were our only connection. We stillhave the boxes of letters stored in our house. After almost five long years of being apart, we managed to change her father's mind(and my dad's as well), and were married.

So every day, and every night, my wife of 16 years, Efti, and my two beautiful boys, Calvin (13) & Cameron (10), remind me of myAFS ties, and how important they are in defining who I am. Without AFS I would not be who or what I am today. After moving backfrom Indonesia in 1998, I became involved in the local Portland AFS Chapter, and now run the FLEX & YES programs in Portland withMaggie Frieske. Thru Yes & FLEX, we have hosted some marvelous students, many of whom are already having a positive impacton their home communities. When people tell you that your AFS experience, whether it be hosting, as a volunteer or as a student, willbe truly life-changing: believe them. It will change who you are, for the better, forever.

Rustam Kocher AFS returnee

USA to Indonesia 88-89- Married to -

Efti Kocher (Pattisahusiwa)AFS returnee

Summer Program Indonesia to USA 1986

...Embrace the mission of AFS to build a more just andpeaceful world through international exchange

Visit www.afsusa.org For more information about hosting exchange students


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The Gardners...Host Family to 13+ Exchange StudentsAt our last Area Team meeting, I volunteered to do an

interview with Janet and Mark Gardner, who have hosted 13 AFSstudents since 1997-98. I called Janet to do an interview and shementioned an article that Mark wrote a few years back about

hosting. After digging through the old newsletters, I found it. Idecided to use this article along with my interview notes from her.

Janet talked to me about their students. They are as follows:

Cleo (Brazil, 1997-98)) was our first student. Cleo liked parties,she called them potties. Her liaison was a returnee from Brazil,who had become acquainted with other families from Brazil, andthese families had parties. Cleo loved parties, and sometimesshe took her host sibs. The Gardners have remained in contactwith Cleo, and two years ago Lynnea and Andrea went to visitCleo.Monica (Italy) Monica was an early return because of aneating disorder and homesickness. The Gardners still hear fromMonica. She is happy now and is working for a jewelry companyas a translator.Juan (Peru) Juan was our next student, but we could not gethim into Parkrose HS, so AFS placed him with another family. Hevisited us occasionally throughout that year, and we still hear fromhim. The last we heard, he is in Sao Paolo, Brazil working on hisMasters degree.Gustavo (Paraguay ) Gustavo became very fluent in English. Healso spoke Chinese and French, his school was run by Frenchnuns. Gustavo enjoyed shopping in America because he wasalmost 6 feet tall and it was hard to find anything to fit in hiscountry.Keita (Japan) wrestled and played football while living with us.He attended Notre Dame and got a degree as an AeronauticalEngineer. He is presently working on his Masters Degree in

Tokyo, Japan. In 2007, Mark and I attended his graduation fromNotre Dame along with his parents. At Notre Dame each studenthad to construct a plane out of balsa wood that would stay in theair for a certain number of minutes. Keitas group has the largest

3-lb. plane. It was named The Golden Dragon .Roger (Bolivia) When I asked Janet to give me a comment re:Roger, she responded, Roger learned by life experience. They

are still in contact with him and the last they heard was that he isin New York working and attending college.Belle (Thailand) is attending college in Thailand and will finishthis year. She is studying Law and will have Masters degree.Noemi (Sardinia) has a job and the last we heard she is back incollege and has a boyfriend. We hear from Noemi whenever shehas access to a computer.Simge (Turkey ) We didnt hear from her this year; the last weheard was that she is attending college in Istanbul studyingPhilosophy.Jaime Lee (New Zealand) Havent heard from her.Rochelle (Hong Kong) - We think she is studying in the US. Wereceived a Christmas greeting from her dad last Christmas.Niklas (Germany ) Hes busy finishing high school.Mark (Hungary) , better known as Little Mark in our house. Heis our present student. He has an affinity for languages--hespeaks German, English, French, a little Russian, & Spanish.

And, by the way, the Gardners are also hosting Noe who is anAmerican citizen but his parents are in Mexico. He was attendingParkrose HS and needed a place to stay to finish his last year.

When Rochelle was here, I heard that this was their last year of hosting. AFS still had Niklas to place and that was when Markgot his German boy. This last year they took Mark from

Hungary so Noe would have a companion.When I asked Janet about what she has gained from hosting

all these students, her reply was It has been a history lesson Iwould have never gotten from booksand I have translatorsand tour guides in all of these countries.

And as far as next year, I will show Mark some applications of some of our unplaced students, and who knows.

Bernice Schuchardt, Southeast Cluster Chair

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YOUR AFS WORLD

THE JOY OF HOSTING by Mark Gardner, Host Father of Gustavo

Hosting an AFS student was not my idea, but my wifehad been very intent on it for years. Because we alreadyhad four children of our own, she thought I wouldnt reallynotice one more around the house. This has been far from true, and I now realize I wouldnt want to trade thisexperience for anything.

The first thing I realized is that children are the samethe world over; they do the same things and pull the samestunts, just in a different language. A host father mustlearn that no comprendo is not an acceptable answer.After a week or two, the students understand more thanwe are willing to admit. The new words the students learnat school fit right into their vocabulary, but may not beconsidered dinner-table language. It happens to all of them and is a part of their learning process. If you takethe time, you can have many cultural and philosophicalconversations with your AFS student.

There are many humorous and some discouragingthings that these students bring into a home, but I havefound that the good far outweighs the bad. Each child isdifferent. There are adjustments to be made, but it usuallyonly takes a simple conversation or comment to correct.

I now find it hard to visualize a time without these familymembers and their new friends around. It has been bothrewarding and fulfilling for our entire family.

Keita , Mark,Janet and Keitasfamily

Noe and Niklas inJune 2008


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WHAT THE STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY...What did this years students have to say when they were asked the following questions?

1. What i s the mos t surpr i s ing th ing you have learned about A m e r i c a n h i g h s c h o o l s t u d e n t s ?

How independent they are and howthey like to talk about the rest of the

people Carolina, Chile They arent that mean like I thought :) -Vera, Germany

They are all very nice. Still, I get alongwith everybody who I know and I donthave problems or trouble with anyone.Usually there is always someone whoyou really dont like and the other wayaround Killian, Germany

How open and crazy they are Maria,Denmark

They look totally different when youfirst see them, but after you get to knowthem youll see that there is nodifference at all, besides the language.Daniel, Austria

It is surprising to me how excited a lotof students get when they find out youare an exchange student. Philip,Germany

Lunch time was the most surprisingthing for me. I have never used tohave my lunch in the hall. In mycountry we have our lunches in thecafeteria. In my American school,students go to the hall and they find agood spot to sit and eat their food,which is usually on the floor. Also, Iwas shocked at school when I could

recognize that it is ok when girlfriendsand boyfriends are able to kiss eachother in public school. It would beinappropriate and rude in my homeschool. We would never act like that.Raima, Kyrgyzstan

That many of them are much smarter than the ones I went to school with.

Also, surprisingly, much more athletic! -Andreas, Denmark

They are really disorganized and theyCANT plan ahead of time! - Lucia,Spain

The students are not at all like the onesin the movies. Ellen, Germany Actually if we really open up our minds

and give American kids a chance theyare really helpful, loyal and friendly andif we understand the differencebetween us then we will patiently learnabout each other. Pimchanok,Thailand

Many of them dont know much aboutthe world outside of the U.S., but stillthey are very outgoing and alwaystalking to other people Juulia,Finland

They love to attend different clubs andactivities Dianhong, China

Mmm, they are awesome and reallynice people with exchange studentsMonica, Costa Rica

2. What i s your favor i te Amer ic an d e s s e r t ?

Ben and Jerrys ice cream! Or any kindof chocolate dessert! - Carolina, Chile

Chocolate chip cookies and applepieLibin, Visiting Teacher China

Oreos Vera, Germany Waffles with ice cream (cookie dough) -

Killian, Germany Cookies, chocolate Oreo ice cream, or

taffy...I cant decide Maria, Denmark Donuts$4 for a dozen Daniel,

Austria Snickers pie, molten chocolate

cake ,chocolate chip cookies, Oreo,and warm apple pie Philip, Germany

I really like ice cream sandwiches.They are really sweet. Raima,Kyrgyzstan

Cupcakes :-) - Ana-Lena, Germany Cheesecake from the Cheesecake

Factory! - Andreas, Denmark Definitely mud pie! :) - Lucia, Spain Oreo cookies! - Ellen, Germany Short cake and anything that has

whipped cream Pimchanok,Thailand

Ice cream is so good here! (moresugar and fat maybe?) - Juulia,

Finland Apple Fritters Dianhong, China I love brownies Monica, Costa Rica

3 . W h at A m e r i c a n T V s h o w b e s t

descr ibes you and your hos t f a m i l y ?

Hells Kitchen Libin, Visiting Teacher China

I have no idea I dont really likewatching TV in America because of allthe commercials...thats way too muchwasted time I really like Dr. Housethough Killian, Germany

We all watch One Three Hill and What Ilike about You Maria, Denmark

I dont really know an answer to thisquestion. I would say The Simpsons,

but I dont want to get beat up. :-) Ilove my host parents a lot. Theysupport me in every way. I dont seethem as my parents they are morelike friends to me and I love being withmy friends. Daniel, Austria

Supernatural and American IdolPhilip, Germany

I do not know which show woulddescribe my family best. I haventcompared my family with any showsRaima, Kyrgyzstan

The American TV show whichdescribes me and my host family thebest has First to Invent Anna-Lena,Germany

Two and a half men :P ha haAndreas, Denmark

I dont watch TV - Lucia, Spain Dr. House we watch it together and I

made my host dad like it too - Ellen,Germany

Ugly Betty and probably Scrubs insome cases Pimchanok, Thailand

Well, it doesn't describe us, but on thatwe usually watch together is AmericasNext Top Model Juulia, Finland

American Idol because we watch ittogether and have fun with itDianhong, China

Do you have a question you would like to know theanswer to? Email it to me. [email protected]


8/12


9/12

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YOUR AFS WORLD

The image is still locked in mypsyche and heart--fifteen beautiful kidslounging on the lawn after a toughgame of volleyballlaughing, talking,

rough-housingwhat a joyous scene!That pile of kids contained Caucasian-Americans, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans,Argentineans, Chileans, Japanese,Germans, Italians, Norwegians and BigOl Rafthat sensitive, affectionate,handsome, demonstrative, exuberant,Dont Worry Be Happy, fun-lovingAFS #1 son from Osorno, Chilewasright in the middle of it. Had he reallyonly been a part of our lives for ninemonths? And what had life been likebefore Rafael and AFS? It was hard toremember.

When did our AFS adventurebegin? A dear friend, Irene Peyton,had invited me to help with the localAFS Chapter fundraising effort inFairbanks, Alaska. It was to be anelaborate International Dessert to beheld the week in February when all theAlaska AFS exchange students weregathered in Fairbanks for their mid-year rendezvous. 1 Each table hostwas to supply a fancy country-themedessert, place setting, linens,decorations and ticket-buying guestsfor their own table of tenall with aninternational flavor, of course! So wetalked eight unsuspecting friends intobuying tickets, polished the silverware,borrowed ten place-settings of Irishchina and prepared calorie-ladendesserts.

Now, February weather inFairbanks can be a little tricky. Thedays are getting longer, glorioussunshine raises the spirits and we alsolearn what Madeline LEngle meant in

Little House on the Prairie: When thedays begin to lengthen, then the coldbegins to strengthen. That Februaryafternoon, an Arctic high pressuresystem moved in and the temperaturedropped from 20 above to 20 below inthree hours. It was too late to cancelthe festivities. Would anyone evenshow up? Could we get the dishesinto West Valley High School cafeteriawithout them cracking in the cold?And what about the elaboratedesserts? Would they hold up under

the freeze and thaw? One thing to begrateful for was that the students hadarrived from all over the state the daybefore and their weekend host families

were committed to getting them to thefundraiser.no matter what!Amazingly, the night came off

without a hitch. All twenty-five tableswere full; the decorations were festiveand fantastic; the desserts werescrumptious and our exchangestudents were in fine fiddle. Most werewearing native costumes, withinstruments, dances and speechesprepared. What a wonderful eveningof song and dance and sharing. Theexchange students, one after theother, would share a little of their culture and country and a lot of their heart as they told of their experiencesof the past six monthshappy, sad,funny, serious, learning, challenging,

joyous, despairing, sharing, caring,crying, laughing, dancing, singing,growing, never- to-be- forgot tenexperiences that would change their lives forever. I remember especiallyMaris, from Brazil, who had had apretty challenging 2 year. With tearsstreaming down her face she sharedthat her experience had given her agreater appreciation of her own family,a new awareness and sensitivity to theproblems of others, and taught her thevalue and importance of perseverance.The house erupted in teen energywhen one of her friends turned on aBrazilian Lambada 3 tape and thirty-fivestudents descended to the stage tohonor Maris and show us all whatthey had learned from her!

Another pivotal event for me, thatfirst night of exposure to AFS waswatching two South African boysone

black, dressed in safari khaki; onewhite, dressed in colorful Africancostume--embrace after their countrypresentation. Patrick and Neville hadspent that year in the same town inrival high schools and had becomeclose friends. They had composed aSong of Brothers Love , with Patrick ondrum and Neville on African flute andtheir words in our hands to hum andsing along with. There wasnt a dryeye in the house when their song wasfinished and they stood hugging each

other. In a few short weeks theywould be returning to their country andhad shared with us that evening howdifficult that return would be. Theyfeared, not only for their ownrelationship, but for the whole politicalsituation in South Africa. That nightthey pledged themselves to fight for human rights in their home country andexpressed humble gratitude to AFS for opening their world and makingApartheid disappear, briefly, for them.That was in the mid-1980s. Manydesserts, chaperone trips, andweekend-hosting later, we werehooked forever on the benefits of AFS.

Camping trips, homesickness,American Thanksgiving, Young Life,Christmas Holiday with big sister Heather home; ski trip, learning to dolaundry, picking oranges, washingdishes, laughing, loving, crying, rough-housing in the living room, buried onthe beach, moon-lit walks on thebreakwater, back rub snake in theliving room, can-stomp contest in thekitchen; gruffling 4 just aboutanywhere; Frankie--the roomy,volleyball hero, humungous burritos,

Graduation, and sad farewellstalesof love and AFS and Big Ol Raf.

1 AFS provides for three reunion orientations each year to allow students to network, debrief and blow off cultural steam during their challenging year abroad.2 AFS terminology for a growth and wisdom producing experience.3 Sexy South American Dance 4 Santa Barbara AFS word that means rough-beard-rubbing-pink-cheek.

Sally Ann Wells, Volunteer Coordinator

From Fairbanks to Santa Barbara and AFS Memories

Rafaels beautiful familymy Chileangrandsons Tomas, Martin & Vincentewith parents Raf & Andrea


10/12

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VOLUNTEER NEWS/DEVELOPMENT

We have nearly all of our active volunteersre-registered now, which is great news. Thanksto everyone for your patience and cooperationin bringing us into compliance. Im excited for the addition of two great new volunteers whoare taking over the hosting coordinators work.

This will free me up to focus on volunteer recruitment and cultivating. The first big projectbefore us is the interviews of 29 NSLI

applicants. (National Security Language Initiative for Youth http://www.nsliforyouth.org/ ) There will be 550 full-ride scholarshipsawarded. We have 1400 applicants vying for the spots and AFS,as part of the consortium contracted to this project is responsiblefor the interviews. It is a huge undertaking, but Im happy to sayAFS Volunteers and staff have demonstrated their flexibility andwillingness to rally round for this tight timeline project. Watch for results in next newsletter! AFS will be awarded 175 of thesescholarships to China, Turkey, India, Russia, and Egypt.

The other project we will be focusing on is recruiting newvolunteers to become understudies for current active volunteers.

Our goal is to have someone else to call if a key volunteer or coordinator is on vacation or not available. We need to share the

joy and promote greater involvement with new volunteers. Its for all of us to do. Ask a friend, neighbor, book-group member, choir member, work-place associate to get involved.

Liaison recruiting: With new, more stringent guidelines and

compliance requirements, we will be making a push to recruit andassign liaisons NOW, for next year. The idea being, we wantthem on board, maybe even attending the host family interviewand orientation, so they connect before the student arrives.Technically the liaison should be assigned before the student islinked to the family, so be thinking about friends who may bewilling to fulfill this key role. Call me with their names or sendthem to our wonderful website, www.afscp.com where they canfind registration information and fun information to get themexcited. We even have the new fantastic blog link for hosting(thank to Stacey and James!) Check it out!http://www.afscp.com/weblogs/hosting.htm

Sally Ann Wells, Volunteer Coordinator

A Visit from Uzbekistan

In August 2003, as Iwas a 16year-old girl. Iarrived in the US tospend my Exchange

year. I was involved withone of the special U.S.G o v e r n m e n t p a i dprograms - FLEX (FutureLeaders Exchange). Andto say that I had just afantastic year here is tosay nothing.

S o , y o u c a nunderstand by the end of my stay here, just before

departure, I had to leave here my new friends, a city that I startedto love from first glance and - most important - THE Family.I remember when I said my last good-bye to my host parents, Leeand Lana Younglove near the gate at PDX, I added, "I will come

back." My host parents didn't believe that it might happen for it isquite hard for FLEX kids to come back. All four years we were intouch - called each other, e-mailed, and send packages. I got toknow kids that my family hosted after I was gone, but I stillremembered about my promise to come back.

Back at home - in Uzbekistan - I live in one of the ancient cities- Samarkand. We have lots of tourists coming every year and Istarted to work as a guide with tourists. Shortly after I got this jobit became clear that I can save enough money for my return trip tothe U.S.

So I got a really fantastic Christmas in 2008 - Christmas in USwith my American Family. I still cannot believe that I managed todo it, to complete a 28-hour trip and not get stuck in the Denver airport, for the weather was not the best for the flights (I arrived onDecember 22nd during a major west coast storm).

Now I have been here for more than three weeks and amenjoying my visit. I got to see people who I knew back four yearsago. And I am having fun with my host Mom and Dad.

And now I have a right to say that I keep my promises, andthat if I made it, then anyone can achieve it. Only thing that youhave to do is try.

In addition, want to say thank you to my family in general (It is

a big family -we're not sure ourselves how many members it hasand how many nationalities.) and host parents in particular. I loveyou! I promise that it is not the last time I'm visiting you in theU.S. Another " thank you" to AFS volunteers and the FLEXCoordinators. I'm impressed by how much work you do for exchange students and how wonderful every event is.

And last, a little note for you students. I had a chance to meetsome of you. You are nice people. Remember, if you have anyproblems in the U.S. (I hope you don't.), you have all the abilitiesto solve them. Don't try to change people, try to explain things tothem. This is what exchange programs are for; to learn throughunderstanding different cultures. Enjoy the rest of your time here.

Lola, UzbekistanU.S. `03/`04

YOUR AFS WORLD


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The Calendar 2009MARCH 14 AREA TEAM MEETING

MARCH 15 SE CLUSTER MEETING Jensen-Temper home, host family of Oda from Norway.3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

MARCH 23-27 OREGON SPRING BREAK

MAR 30APRIL 3 WASHINGTON SPRING BREAK

APRIL 34 AFS COLUMBIA GORGE TRIP Ron Combs (503) 777-8117 Must be Pre-Registered.

APRIL 11 AREA TEAM MEETING

APRIL 19 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Who Song & LarrysVancouver, WA. RSVP a must to [email protected]

APRIL 24 EARTH DAY

APRIL 2526 AFS TRIP TO SEATTLE Space is limited. RSVP Bernice 503-775-4161 or [email protected]

MAY 2-4 ASHLAND SHAKESPEARE TRIP Ron Combs (503) 777-8117 Must be Pre-Registered.

MAY 9 AREA TEAM MEETING

MAY 10 MOTHERS DAY Dont forget your Moms and Host Moms!

MAY 16, 2009 PRE-RETURN ORIENTATION REQUIRED This is a required event for all AFSstudents. Zion Lutheran Church, Camas, WA

MAY 25 NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE Articles due to Tami Spears [email protected]

JUNE 6 PORTLAND GRAND FLORAL ROSE PARADE

JUNE 13 AREA TEAM MEETING

JUNE 21 FATHERS DAY Dont forget your Dads and Host Dads!

JUNE 28 END OF STAY ORIENTATION REQUIRED This is the end of stay. Lents Park,Portland, OR

AREA TEAMChairBonnie Richardson-Kott

Chair-ElectJames Spears

TreasurerTom Hilleary

Hosting Co-coordinatorsAndrea JohnsonStacey Mills

Sending Coordinator Emily Leis

Orientation CoordinatorRon Combs

Support CoordinatorBernie Gerhardt

Volunteer CoordinatorSally Ann Wells

Liaison CoordinatorJames Spears

Returnee CoordinatorLynette Ledgerwood

Newsletter Editor

Tami SpearsWebsite CoordinatorJames Spears

CHAPTER/CLUSTERCOORDINATORS

Beaverton/Hillsboro/AlohaLinda Landreth

Columbia GorgeRymmel Lovell

Columbia CountyCharlotte & Mike Kocher

Lake OswegoLorie James

McMinnville/Yamhill CountyTami & James Spears

North ClackamasMaggie Frieske

North/NortheastChris Cradler

Northwest/SouthwestSally Ann Wells

Southeast/Gresham/SandyBernice Schuchardt

Tillamook/Oregon CoastSue Cudd

Camas/WashougalRuth Ladage

Vancouver/Battle GroundBernie Gerhardt

Longview/Kelso/ToledoDebbie Erickson

YES/FLEX Student CoordinatorsMaggie FrieskeRustam Kocher Rymmel Lovell

Visiting Teacher CoordinatorsBarbara RogersJerrie NelsonSally Ann Wells

11

Congress Bundestag (CB): The congress Bundestag Youth exchange Program was launched in 1983 by the U.S. Congress and the German parliament (Bundestag). Annually, AFS provides 50 full merit based scholarships for U.S. students to study in Germany for a year, and 57 scholarships for German participants to study in the U.S.

http:// usagermanyscholarship.org

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX): The Future Leaders Exchange program originated in the FREEDOM Support Act, which was sponsored by U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and passed by Congress in 1992. It provides full merit based scholarships to students from the countries of the former Soviet Union to study abroad in the U.S. for a year.

http://exchanges.state.gov/ youth/programs/flex

Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES): The Youth Exchange and Study Program was initiated by the U.S. Department of State in the aftermath of September 11th to build bridges of understanding between Americans and people in countries with significant Muslim populations. YES provides full merit based scholarships to students from more than 10 countries to study abroad in the U.S. for a year. http://yesprograms.org

AFSUSA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY INITIATIVES


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AFSCOLUMBIAPACIFICTami Spears1025 NE Irvine St.McMinnville, OR 97128

Want Souvenir/Scrapbook? E-Mail: Ron Combs [email protected]

For more information and for our newsletter archives, visit the Columbia-Pacific website at

www.AFSCP.com

2009 march-special newsletter - final

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