2009 March-special Newsletter - Final

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2009 Welcome New Hosting Co-coordinators! AFS Columbia Pacific welcomes our new Area Team Hosting Co-coordinators! Stacey Mills and Andrea Johnson have taken over the reins as Hosting Co-coordinators for the Area Team. My name is Stacey Mills. I live in beautiful Portland, Oregon. I have traveled all over the world and have had great cultural experiences everywhere. In my experience, shared peace, joy and acceptance is the universal language of understanding. I believe that AFS provides the opportunity to build bridges of cultural understanding between different nations.

My name is Andrea Johnson and I am an AFS returnee from Austria `94-`95. I am a stay-at-home mom of two little girls who keep me hopping all the time. I have been involved with AFS on and off since my family first hosted over 20 years ago. AFS is an organization I believe in, so I am very excited to join this team.

Being Great Hosts—The Columbia Gorge Chapter The Dalles hosted its first AFS exchange student in 1957 and has both sent and hosted one or two students most every year since for a total of 95. As we are a small community of 13,000 these AFS students have been involved with many families and left us with fond memories. We, Tedd and Rymmel Lovell, became involved with AFS in 1994 when we hosted our first exchange son from Australia. We completed a teaching exchange to Adelaide, South Australia in 1992 and wanted another connection in a different part of that country. It worked fantastically, and since then our exchange son has returned to us twice for visits, and we have met his parents on two vacations as well. 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 from Egypt (1), India (1), and Japan (1). Our daughter Deidre went with us on the teaching exchange as a 9th grade student. In 1996 she asked to do her own exchange as a high school senior. She went to Kiruna, Sweden above the Arctic Circle. She asked for a placement where she could ski and she was well rewarded. Since then we have returned with her and our granddaughter to visit her host parents and see their country. We have been involved with AFS through the years as fundraising 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 with the countries and customs they bring to our table. We often search 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 a long way towards comfortable communication. We’ve never met anyone with whom we couldn’t share. Ted and Rymmel Lovell, Columbia Gorge Chapter

▲Tedd and Rymmel Lovell with Roger and Sheryl Treen from Healsville, Australia. They are Matt Treen's parents. We first met them in Australia to visit Matt in 2000, traveled with them to Hawaii in 2002, to England in 2004, and last summer at our home in The Dalles when they came to visit 2008.

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

YOUR AFS WORLD THE CHAIR REPORT—Bonnie Richardson-Kott I’m the Chair of the local volunteer board for AFS in the area referred to as the Columbia Pacific Area Team. As the chair, I get to 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 active volunteer because of my direct contact with the many wonderful students from around the world and my wanting to help those students take part in the best exchange experience while in Washington and Oregon. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many volunteer roles but perhaps the most cherished role I’ve had is as a host mom to Siyan from Malaysia. Siyan came to live with my family 2 years ago and stayed with us for only 6 months. Those months flew by and my family still misses her. We learned so much about a country that we new very little about. (My two boys love to point out Malaysia on the globe to their friends.) Even though she has gone back to Malaysia, Siyan is still part of our family and she will be for a lifetime our sister, daughter and friend. You, too, can have the experience of a lifetime. Host an exchange student. It will open your hearts and minds …and extend your family by a few thousand miles. Bonnie Richardson-Kott, Columbia Pacific Area Team Chair

AFS Columbia Pacific Volunteer Appreciation Event AFS Columbia Pacific Invites you and your family to join us in celebrating and thanking

YOU Our volunteers Volunteer awards and presentations, festive hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and lively conversation Sunday, April 19th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Who Song & Larry’s 111 SE Columbia Way Vancouver, WA 98661 Bring the kids. The entire family is welcome. Watch your mail for an invitation, too. Please RSVP to [email protected]

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 people’s lives. 2

YOUR AFS WORLD How has AFS changed your life? ~

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My life has changed in an amazing way, I have learned so much about the world and myself within this experience—Carolina, Chile It teaches me to respect different culture by offering me the chance to know people from different countries. Getting countless help from my host family and other volunteers strengthens my belief that we are undoubtedly able to make the world a greater place. Living away from parents and friends back in China, I get more mature, independent and responsible. Thank AFS—Libin, Visiting Teacher, China It brought to me my best time in my life and the best experiences ever :) Vera, Germany AFS gave me the opportunity to stay in America and to be here—Killian, Germany I see things way different now, and is more interested in other cultures. I have learned how well I have it in Denmark. I know how much I love my own family and friends, and how important they are for me. I found out that I will be super lonely if I would live for myself in an apartment, so I am instead 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. I learned some great things here that I hopefully never forget.—Daniel, Austria AFS changed my life a lot!!! I think I’m just growing up and I’m getting concerned about more adult stuff like politics or the actual climate change. I think I gained a lot more self

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confidence too—Philip, Germany My life has been changed already. Right now I am in tennis team. I could never think I would play this kind of sport. Besides, I recognized many issues in society doing my senior project. And I got opportunity to compare my school and American schools, so I already know that are differences. For example, teacher and student involvement. I went through American education program. Another valuable thing in which I have been changed is my family and friends back home. I understand how they are important to me. I am happy for each email or letter that I get from them. I think it encourages me a lot.—Raima, Kyrgyzstan AFS changed my life in this way, that I am more open towards people, that I realized that not everything is as bad as it looks like and that every day could be the best of my life. It lies in my hand, what I make out of my life. To be independent and to make my own decisions is the greatest gift you could have.—Anna-Lena, Germany By opening up my eyes even more to the world outside. AFS has been a bridge for me to all the fantastic experiences I have had over here so far, 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 my life and to be open to any new experience. Because it doesn’t matter if the experience is good or bad, you always learn something.—Lucia, Spain

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I have gotten to know myself better and what I think I really never thought of that they are so important for me.— Ellen, Germany This year is my huge abyss. It teaches me about the real world and real life that in somehow not like what we usually thought it was. Also I’ve grown up and learn how to be independent and roots me abroad friendship which will be forever.— Pimchanok, Thailand This exchange program has changed my view of life. I have learned so much about myself and other people— Juulia, Finland AFS let me learn different cultures, see more about the world and have a different idea about the tings surround me. AFS lets me have the chance to experience a different life—Dianhong, China AFS gives a lot of chances to me. I met a lot of people from many kind of nations. I can try a lot of activities that I never have done before in my country. I have friends from many kind of countries also. I learn about how to live with them that have different culture. THANK YOU VERY MUCH— Nutnida, Thailand A lot. AFS change my life, made me see the world and my life in a different way. Being so far away from my parents made me independent person, more mature, free, responsible, think more in my future. Now I would like to learn more about different cultures, travel, visit my new friends around the world. I think this is the best experience of my life. I love AFS! Monica, Costa Rica

*** New Hosting Co-coordinators Launch a Hosting Blog *** Stacey and Andrea have hit the ground running. A new contact. Columbia Pacific hosting blog has been set up for chapter/ As this busy hosting season descends upon us, we hope cluster coordinators, host families and students. The that you will visit the Columbia Pacific hosting blog often. hosting team hopes this blog will accomplish the following This tool should provide a valuable opportunity to keep four things: everyone up to date on the daily happenings of our students and their placements! ~ Highlight information on students we are currently How to access this blog? Go to the AFS Columbia Pacific looking to place with host families. website (www.afscp.com), click on “current volunteers”, ~ Provide exciting information on students who have click on “visit the hosting blog/view incoming students’. OR you can go directly to the blog at the following web address. already been placed with a host family. ~ Distribute information on changes in hosting www.afscp.com/weblogs/hosting.htm. Make sure you scroll through the entire blog to view all of procedures, policies or training meetings. this important information. ~ Generate interest from potential host families who would Stacy Mills & Andrea Johnson, Hosting Co-coordinators like to learn more about hosting but are unsure who to 3

YOUR AFS WORLD Hayley B. Wins Scholarship from Area Team and the Portland Chapter! We are excited to announce that Hayley B. has been awarded a total of $2,000 in scholarship funds from the AFS Columbia Pacific Area Team and the AFS Portland Chapter. Hayley will be spending one year studying abroad in Krasang, Buri ram province of Thailand. Hayley is a sophomore at the Arts and Communication Magnet Academy in Beaverton and she has been interested in other cultures since seventh grade. Originally, Hayley wanted to go to Japan for a study abroad program because of presentation she heard from a returning exchange student who had spent her school year in Japan. Hayley learned

everything she could about Japan, including taking Japanese. But after researching other countries, Hayley decided on Thailand because she wanted to learn a completely new culture. She felt that by going to a place that she knew little about she would live the true cultural experience that would help her to personally grow. When I asked Hayley why she chose to do a cultural exchange, she enthusiastically responded that the only way to truly learn and experience a culture is to live and be immersed in the culture. And that is the special experience AFS provides for students – a home with a family away from home. Just a few weeks ago, Hayley received an email from her host family in Thailand welcoming her. She is looking forward to her exchange experience

opening her mind and allowing her to learn new things. And we are looking forward to sending Hayley as an ambassador for AFS to Thailand in April. Hayley, the volunteers of Portland and Columbia Pacific wish you the experience of a lifetime!

Bonnie Richardson-Kott, Area Team Chair

Multicultural Event at Franklin High School—Patty (Nutnida), Thailand This is a festival for student or staff to present your culture, because my school has a lots of student that came from different countries. For this year, I was the one who presented my culture, and actually I was the only exchange student who participant this festival. I played 'ขลุย ่ ' or Thai flute and played a song called 'ลาวดวงเดือน'. I choose this song because it's a pretty long song and good for performance. It's also good meaning that someone who leave their homeland, just like me. Before performance, I was really nervous, because there were a lots of dancing

shows ,and they might enjoy them more newspaper were coming, and I was so that listening something. shock that my photo is in school newspaper!!!! We had 'Lion dance' or 'เชิดสิ งโต' from China, "Tell me - Wonder girls" performed This is an article in 'THE FRANKLIN by students, my performed, hip-hop dance, POST ,Feb 2009 ,volume 133 ,issue 5 ' "Next Patty , a Thai exchange student, drumming and singing performed by teacher [African], Tibet slide show, Black played a traditional song on her flute and student slide show, Vietnamese dance, wore a beautiful Thai dress. Patty has been African dance, Magic show, Mexican playing the flute for about 3 years now. She dance, Russian club show, Chinese played other instruments before, and she modern dance, Rock band and to end the learned the song playing those previous assembly there was a fashion show of instrument" traditional clothing from different countries An article under my photo: and ethnicities. "Patty , elegantly dressed in a After this festival, my friends and some traditional Thai outfit, plays flute for the student of Franklin they can remember assembly. Patty is a foreign exchange me ,and said 'Good job, Patty' or 'Your outfit was so beautiful' or 'That's amazing' student from Thailand, a small southeast or 'Phenomenon!!' or 'Awesome', I was so Asian country" really impressed and really happy that I can shared our Thai culture for foreign friends. Patty (Nutnida), Thailand The week after festival, school

Help Change The World Each year, more than 2,500 international high school students come to the U.S. with AFS to attend high school and live with host families. These outstanding young people are eager to experience life in America. Hosting a student for a year or semester is something your family can do to bring more understanding to the world. It’s also a great way to add an international branch to your family tree! Host families provide a bed, meals, and the same guidance you would give to your own children. All kinds of families can host! AFS families come in all shapes and sizes, including single-parent families, families with no children at home, non-traditional families, and families with young children. If you’re interested in sharing your everyday life with a young person from another country and culture, become a host family! All AFS Exchange Students are supported by trained local AFS Volunteers to help your family and hosted son or daughter gain the most from your time together, and full-time AFS staff are also available to support students and host families. 4

YOUR AFS WORLD The Way AFS Touched My Life—Rustam Kocher I don't think I can find any possible way to describe how AFS and my overseas experience has changed and touched my life. From the time I was born, to the day I pass, my life has been and will be blessed by amazing 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 my grandfather to host a Japanese man in his home just a few short years after 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 we finished with one and sent them tearfully on their way, we tended to take in another. Hugue from Belgium, Yvonne from Switzerland, Patrik from Sweden, Ismail from Egypt, Anja from Finland and Siri from Norway. They are 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 to college. 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 good price. I encouraged my girlfriend at the time to apply as well. Funny thing how fate works. She was accepted, and went to Germany. I was the first alternate, and did not get to go. The following year I applied to the normal AFS program, and left the application blank where it asked what country I would prefer. I only knew that I had met so many people from so many places that I was 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 difficult placements now, as the Eastern Block has opened up, as has the African continent. When I received my placement papers, I had to go 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" (thank you), "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 my school courtyard. The experience and knowledge that I gained my my year in Indonesia was incalculable. How else would I have found that I had the courage to ride a bicycle in Jakarta traffic, or eat a Durian or to ride a Metro Mini/Bajaj/Microlet? I fully embraced the people, the language, the culture and the full flavor of the experience. Soccer in the (concrete) schoolyard, the warungs (sidewalk stands), my school (SMA 82 DAHA), Blok M (before it was a mall), Senayan (before it too, was a mall), trips to Bandung and Padang. Everything that happened, good or bad, I digested and processed, eager for more. Those of you who know me also know that along with falling in 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 AFS student! So, despite his adamant rejection of me as a person his oldest daughter should be involved with, he was, in fact, the person who had caused fate to bring us together. We "backstreet" dated for a good part of my AFS year, and parted with many tears at the end of the year. Many letters and phone calls (there was no internet or e-mail in Indonesia yet!!) were our only connection. We still have 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 my AFS 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 back from Indonesia in 1998, I became involved in the local Portland AFS Chapter, and now run the FLEX & YES programs in Portland with Maggie Frieske. Thru Yes & FLEX, we have hosted some marvelous students, many of whom are already having a positive impact on their home communities. When people tell you that your AFS experience, whether it be hosting, as a volunteer or as a student, will be truly life-changing: believe them. It will change who you are, for the better, forever. Rustam Kocher AFS returnee USA to Indonesia 88-89

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Efti Kocher (Pattisahusiwa) AFS returnee Summer Program Indonesia to USA 1986

...Embrace the mission of AFS to build a more just and peaceful world through international exchange Visit www.afsusa.org For more information about hosting exchange students 5

YOUR AFS WORLD The Gardners...Host Family to 13+ Exchange Students At our last Area Team meeting, I volunteered to do an interview with Janet and Mark Gardner, who have hosted 13 AFS students since 1997-98. I called Janet to do an interview and she mentioned an article that Mark wrote a few years back about hosting. After digging through the old newsletters, I found it. I decided to use this article along with my interview notes from her. “THE JOY OF HOSTING by Mark Gardner, Host Father of Gustavo Hosting an AFS student was not my idea, but my wife had been very intent on it for years. Because we already had four children of our own, she thought I wouldn’t really notice one more around the house. This has been far from true, and I now realize I wouldn’t want to trade this experience for anything. The first thing I realized is that children are the same the world over; they do the same things and pull the same stunts, just in a different language. A host father must learn that “no comprendo” is not an acceptable answer. After a week or two, the students understand more than we are willing to admit. The new words the students learn at school fit right into their vocabulary, but may not be considered “dinner-table language.” It happens to all of them and is a part of their learning process. If you take the time, you can have many cultural and philosophical conversations with your AFS student. There are many humorous and some discouraging things that these students bring into a home, but I have found that the good far outweighs the bad. Each child is different. There are adjustments to be made, but it usually only takes a simple conversation or comment to correct. I now find it hard to visualize a time without these family members and their new friends around. It has been both rewarding and fulfilling for our entire family.” 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, and these families had parties. Cleo loved parties, and sometimes she took her host sibs. The Gardners have remained in contact with Cleo, and two years ago Lynnea and Andrea went to visit Cleo. Monica (Italy) – Monica was an “early return” because of an eating disorder and homesickness. The Gardners still hear from Monica. She is happy now and is working for a jewelry company as a translator. Juan (Peru) – Juan was our next student, but we could not get him into Parkrose HS, so AFS placed him with another family. He visited us occasionally throughout that year, and we still hear from him. The last we heard, he is in Sao Paolo, Brazil working on his Master’s degree. Gustavo (Paraguay) Gustavo became very fluent in English. He also spoke Chinese and French, his school was run by French nuns. Gustavo enjoyed shopping in America because he was almost 6 feet tall and it was hard to find anything to fit in his country. Keita (Japan) wrestled and played football while living with us. He attended Notre Dame and got a degree as an Aeronautical Engineer. He is presently working on his Masters Degree in 6

Tokyo, Japan. In 2007, Mark and I attended his graduation from Notre Dame along with his parents. At Notre Dame each student had to construct a plane out of balsa wood that would stay in the air for a certain number of minutes. Keita’s group has the largest

◄Keita, Mark, Janet and Keita’s family

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 is in New York working and attending college. Belle (Thailand) is attending college in Thailand and will finish this year. She is studying Law and will have Masters degree. Noemi (Sardinia) has a job and the last we heard she is back in college and has a boyfriend. We hear from Noemi whenever she has access to a computer. Simge (Turkey) – We didn’t hear from her this year; the last we heard was that she is attending college in Istanbul studying Philosophy. Jaime Lee (New Zealand) – Haven’t heard from her. Rochelle (Hong Kong) - We think she is studying in the US. We received a Christmas greeting from her dad last Christmas. Niklas (Germany) – He’s busy finishing high school. Mark (Hungary), better known as “Little Mark” in our house. He is our present student. He has an affinity for languages--he speaks German, English, French, a little Russian, & Spanish. And, by the way, the Gardners are also hosting Noe who is an American citizen but his parents are in Mexico. He was attending Parkrose 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 Mark got “his German boy.” This last year they took Mark from

◄Noe and Niklas in June 2008

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 I would have never gotten from books……and I have translators and 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

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

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1. What is the most surprising thing you have learned about American high school students?

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How independent they are and how they like to talk about the rest of the people—Carolina, Chile They aren’t that mean like I thought :) Vera, Germany They are all very nice. Still, I get along with everybody who I know and I don’t have problems or trouble with anyone. Usually there is always someone who you really don’t like and the other way around—Killian, Germany How open and crazy they are—Maria, Denmark They look totally different when you first see them, but after you get to know them you’ll see that there is no difference at all, besides the language. —Daniel, Austria It is surprising to me how excited a lot of students get when they find out you are an exchange student.—Philip, Germany Lunch time was the most surprising thing for me. I have never used to have my lunch in the hall. In my country we have our lunches in the cafeteria. In my American school, students go to the hall and they find a good spot to sit and eat their food, which is usually on the floor. Also, I was shocked at school when I could recognize that it is ok when girlfriends and boyfriends are able to kiss each other in public school. It would be inappropriate and rude in my home school. We would never act like that.— Raima, Kyrgyzstan That many of them are much smarter than the ones I went to school with.

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Also, surprisingly, much more athletic! Andreas, Denmark They are really disorganized and they CAN’T plan ahead of time! - Lucia, Spain The students are not at all like the ones in the movies.—Ellen, Germany Actually if we really open up our minds and give American kids a chance they are really helpful, loyal and friendly and if we understand the difference between us then we will patiently learn about each other.— Pimchanok, Thailand Many of them don’t know much about the world outside of the U.S., but still they are very outgoing and always talking to other people—Juulia, Finland They love to attend different clubs and activities—Dianhong, China Mmm, they are awesome and really nice people with exchange students— Monica, Costa Rica

2. What is your favorite American dessert?

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Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! Or any kind of chocolate dessert! - Carolina, Chile Chocolate chip cookies and apple pie—Libin, Visiting Teacher China Oreos—Vera, Germany Waffles with ice cream (cookie dough) Killian, Germany Cookies, chocolate Oreo ice cream, or taffy...I can’t 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! (more sugar and fat maybe?) - Juulia,

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

3. What American TV show best describes you and your host family?

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Hell’s Kitchen—Libin, Visiting Teacher China I have no idea… I don’t really like watching TV in America because of all the commercials...that’s way too much wasted time… I really like Dr. House though—Killian, Germany We all watch One Three Hill and What I like about You—Maria, Denmark I don’t really know an answer to this question. I would say “The Simpsons”, but I don’t want to get beat up. :-) I love my host parents a lot. They support me in every way. I don’t see them as my “parents” they are more like friends to me and I love being with my friends.—Daniel, Austria Supernatural and American Idol— Philip, Germany I do not know which show would describe my family best. I haven’t compared my family with any shows— Raima, Kyrgyzstan The American TV show which describes me and my host family the best has First to Invent—Anna-Lena, Germany Two and a half men :P ha ha— Andreas, Denmark I don’t 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 in some cases—Pimchanok, Thailand Well, it doesn't describe us, but on that we usually watch together is America’s Next Top Model—Juulia, Finland American Idol because we watch it together and have fun with it— Dianhong, China

Do you have a question you would like to know the answer to? Email it to me. [email protected] 7

YOUR AFS WORLD AFS Seattle Trip DO YOU WANT SEATTLE???????

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Here are the details: • Room will be paid for by AFS.

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Dates are April 25—26. We would leave on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and return on Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. Cost for train is $30.

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I have 2-for-1 coupons so Ron Combs will purchase tickets and you will reimburse him. Cost for food...depending on what you order/eat.

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Sunday—breakfast at the hotel and dinner at Asian • Market under $10.

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The Experience Music Project (www.empsfm.org/visit). Ticket prices are $12-$15. T h e S p a c e N e e d l e (www.spaceneedle.com). Tickets are $16 to ride the elevator to the top of the Space Needle. Or you stand outside and take pictures and tour the very large gift shop. Pike Place Market— (www.seattletravel.com/ pikesplacemarket.html). FREE Other places—Pioneer Square, an Asian Market, the very first Starbucks, and maybe an Underground Tour.

Any other food or souvenirs are your responsibility Please let me know right away so we can purchase tickets. This is on a first come Saturday—bring sack lunch, ∼ Bernice will bring sacks. first served basis. Contact Bernice (503) dinner cost approximately 775-4161 or by email While in Seattle we can visit the following: $15—$20. [email protected]

In Memoriam—John Bromley John Bromley, one of our long-time volunteers out in Sandy, Oregon, passed away Thursday, February 12, after a battle with cancer. I have worked with AFS placements at Sandy High School and East County for many years, and John and his wife, Peggy, were there for me and AFS many times as a Welcome Family, a liaison, emergency family, and counselor. I will certainly miss him. John taught at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham for 16 years, and retired in 2003. In 2006, he was elected (following his appointment) to the Oregon Trail School District Board. He also promoted the bond for a new high school in Sandy. John and his wife, Peggy, were both secondary science teachers in the Peace Corps (John in Malaysia and Peggy in Uganda). They met afterwards in Nashville, got married in London, and together went as overseas teachers to American Samoa, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Peru. They also traveled in many other countries during school holidays. Since retirement they visited Spain, Greece, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Canada. In this special issue which is spotlighting hosting, this couple shared their lives with many young people from around the world

and certainly have done their part in promoting a more peaceful world. From AFS, the Bromleys hosted Arturo (Bolivia, 1994), Debeis (Venezuela, 1996), Lele (China, 2000), and Tina, (an exchange teacher from Thailand, 2003). They were also a temporary family for Alan from Mexico, Pedro from Ecuador, Max from Argentina, Oskar from Iceland, and a Welcome Family for Supreeya, a teacher from Thailand. Last year they hosted two students from El Salvador and Mexico who were with the CASS program at Mt. Hood Community College. According to Peggy, they have also hosted teenage foster sons, assorted relatives, political operatives, and ”random folks we just brought home.” They also had students living with them when they were overseas. John will be missed by all of us who knew him. For those of you who were at an AFS picnic about a year ago at the Hays’ home, John and Peggy joined us with their two CASS students. John’s celebration of life gathering was held on March 15 at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale. Bernice Schuchardt, Southeast Cluster Chair

Southeast Cluster January Meeting The Southeast Cluster held their January meeting at the Pedersen/ Deussen home on January 11th. We had a nice turn-out and a lot of good food as usual. Theresa and Boerge are Feroz’s (India) host family. Feroz made a presentation about India which was very interesting. Bernice Schuchardt, Southeast Cluster Chair

8

YOUR AFS WORLD From Fairbanks to Santa Barbara and AFS Memories The image is still locked in my psyche and heart--fifteen beautiful kids lounging on the lawn after a tough game of volleyball—laughing, talking, rough-housing—what a joyous scene! That pile of kids contained CaucasianAmericans, Asian-Americans, AfricanAmericans, Mexican-Americans, Argentineans, Chileans, Japanese, Germans, Italians, Norwegians and Big Ol’ Raf—that sensitive, affectionate, handsome, demonstrative, exuberant, “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” fun-loving AFS #1 son from Osorno, Chile—was right in the middle of it. Had he really only been a part of our lives for nine months? And what had life been like before Rafael and AFS? It was hard to remember. When did our AFS adventure begin? A dear friend, Irene Peyton, had invited me to help with the local AFS Chapter fundraising effort in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was to be an elaborate International Dessert to be held the week in February when all the Alaska AFS exchange students were gathered in Fairbanks for their midyear rendezvous.1 Each table host was to supply a fancy country-theme dessert, place setting, linens, decorations and ticket-buying guests for their own table of ten—all with an international flavor, of course! So we talked eight unsuspecting friends into buying tickets, polished the silverware, borrowed ten place-settings of Irish china and prepared calorie-laden desserts. Now, February weather in Fairbanks can be a little tricky. The days are getting longer, glorious sunshine raises the spirits and we also learn what Madeline L’Engle meant in Little House on the Prairie: “When the days begin to lengthen, then the cold begins to strengthen.” That February afternoon, an Arctic high pressure system moved in and the temperature dropped from 20 above to 20 below in three hours. It was too late to cancel the festivities. Would anyone even show up? Could we get the dishes into West Valley High School cafeteria without them cracking in the cold? And what about the elaborate desserts? Would they hold up under

the freeze and thaw? One thing to be grateful for was that the students had arrived from all over the state the day before and their weekend host families were committed to getting them to the fundraiser.—no matter what! Amazingly, the night came off without a hitch. All twenty-five tables were full; the decorations were festive and fantastic; the desserts were scrumptious and our exchange students were in fine fiddle. Most were wearing native costumes, with instruments, dances and speeches prepared. What a wonderful evening of song and dance and sharing. The exchange students, one after the other, would share a little of their culture and country and a lot of their heart as they told of their experiences of the past six months—happy, sad, funny, serious, learning, challenging, joyous, despairing, sharing, caring, crying, laughing, dancing, singing, growing, never-to-be-forgotten experiences that would change their lives forever. I remember especially Marisé, from Brazil, who had had a pretty challenging2 year. With tears streaming down her face she shared that her experience had given her a greater appreciation of her own family, a new awareness and sensitivity to the problems of others, and taught her the value and importance of perseverance. The house erupted in teen energy when one of her friends turned on a Brazilian Lambada3 tape and thirty-five students descended to the stage to honor Marisé and show us all what they had learned from her! Another pivotal event for me, that first night of exposure to AFS was watching two South African boys—one black, dressed in safari khaki; one white, dressed in colorful African costume--embrace after their country presentation. Patrick and Neville had spent that year in the same town in rival high schools and had become close friends. They had composed a Song of Brother’s Love, with Patrick on drum and Neville on African flute and their words in our hands to hum and sing along with. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when their song was finished and they stood hugging each

▲Rafael’s beautiful family—my Chilean grandsons Tomas, Martin & Vincente with parents Raf & Andrea

other. In a few short weeks they would be returning to their country and had shared with us that evening how difficult that return would be. They feared, not only for their own relationship, but for the whole political situation in South Africa. That night they pledged themselves to fight for human rights in their home country and expressed humble gratitude to AFS for opening their world and making Apartheid disappear, briefly, for them. That was in the mid-1980’s. Many desserts, chaperone trips, and weekend-hosting later, we were hooked forever on the benefits of AFS. Camping trips, homesickness, American Thanksgiving, Young Life, Christmas Holiday with big sister Heather home; ski trip, learning to do laundry, picking oranges, washing dishes, laughing, loving, crying, roughhousing in the living room, buried on the beach, moon-lit walks on the breakwater, back rub “snake” in the living room, “can-stomp” contest in the kitchen; “gruffling”4 just about anywhere; Frankie--the roomy, volleyball hero, humungous burritos, Graduation, and sad farewells—tales of 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 9

YOUR AFS WORLD A Visit from Uzbekistan In August 2003, as I was a 16year-old girl. I arrived in the US to spend my Exchange year. I was involved with one of the special U.S. Government paid programs - FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange). And to say that I had just a fantastic year here is to say nothing. So, you can understand by the end of my stay here, just before departure, I had to leave here my new friends, a city that I started to love from first glance and - most important - THE Family. I remember when I said my last good-bye to my host parents, Lee and 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 is quite hard for FLEX kids to come back. All four years we were in touch - called each other, e-mailed, and send packages. I got to know kids that my family hosted after I was gone, but I still remembered 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 I started to work as a guide with tourists. Shortly after I got this job it became clear that I can save enough money for my return trip to the U.S. So I got a really fantastic Christmas in 2008 - Christmas in US with my American Family. I still cannot believe that I managed to do 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 on December 22nd during a major west coast storm). Now I have been here for more than three weeks and am enjoying my visit. I got to see people who I knew back four years ago. And I am having fun with my host Mom and Dad.

And now I have a right to say that I keep my promises, and that if I made it, then anyone can achieve it. Only thing that you have 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 has and how many nationalities.) and host parents in particular. I love you! I promise that it is not the last time I'm visiting you in the U.S. Another " thank you" to AFS volunteers and the FLEX Coordinators. 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 meet some of you. You are nice people. Remember, if you have any problems in the U.S. (I hope you don't.), you have all the abilities to solve them. Don't try to change people, try to explain things to them. This is what exchange programs are for; to learn through understanding different cultures. Enjoy the rest of your time here.

Lola, Uzbekistan—U.S. `03/`04

VOLUNTEER NEWS/DEVELOPMENT We have nearly all of our active volunteers re-registered now, which is great news. Thanks to everyone for your patience and cooperation in bringing us into compliance. I’m excited for the addition of two great new volunteers who are taking over the hosting coordinators work. This will free me up to focus on volunteer recruitment and cultivating. The first big project before us is the interviews of 29 NSLI applicants. (National Security Language Initiative for Youth http:// www.nsliforyouth.org/) There will be 550 full-ride scholarships awarded. We have 1400 applicants vying for the spots and AFS, as part of the consortium contracted to this project is responsible for the interviews. It is a huge undertaking, but I’m happy to say AFS Volunteers and staff have demonstrated their flexibility and willingness to rally round for this tight timeline project. Watch for results in next newsletter! AFS will be awarded 175 of these scholarships to China, Turkey, India, Russia, and Egypt. The other project we will be focusing on is recruiting new volunteers to become “understudies” for current active volunteers. 10

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. It’s 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 and assign liaisons NOW, for next year. The idea being, we want them on board, maybe even attending the host family interview and orientation, so they connect before the student arrives. Technically the liaison should be assigned before the student is linked to the family, so be thinking about friends who may be willing to fulfill this key role. Call me with their names or send them to our wonderful website, www.afscp.com where they can find registration information and fun information to get them excited. 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

AREA TEAM Chair Bonnie Richardson-Kott Chair-Elect James Spears Treasurer Tom Hilleary Hosting Co-coordinators Andrea Johnson Stacey Mills Sending Coordinator Emily Leis Orientation Coordinator Ron Combs Support Coordinator Bernie Gerhardt

The Calendar 2009 MARCH 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 30—APRIL 3

WASHINGTON SPRING BREAK

APRIL 3—4 AFS COLUMBIA GORGE TRIP—Ron Combs (503) 777-8117 Must be Pre-

Registered. APRIL 11 AREA TEAM MEETING

Volunteer Coordinator Sally Ann Wells

APRIL 19 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT—3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Who Song & Larry’s

Liaison Coordinator James Spears

APRIL 24 EARTH DAY

Returnee Coordinator Lynette Ledgerwood Newsletter Editor Tami Spears Website Coordinator James Spears CHAPTER/CLUSTER COORDINATORS Beaverton/Hillsboro/Aloha Linda Landreth Columbia Gorge Rymmel Lovell Columbia County Charlotte & Mike Kocher Lake Oswego Lorie James McMinnville/Yamhill County Tami & James Spears

Vancouver, WA. RSVP a must to [email protected]

APRIL 25—26 AFS TRIP TO SEATTLE—Space is limited. RSVP Bernice 503-775-4161 or e-mail

[email protected] MAY 2-4 ASHLAND SHAKESPEARE TRIP – Ron Combs (503) 777-8117 Must be Pre-

Registered. MAY 9

AREA TEAM MEETING

MAY 10 MOTHER’S DAY—Don’t forget your Moms and Host Moms! MAY 16, 2009 PRE-RETURN ORIENTATION – REQUIRED – This is a required event for all AFS

students. 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 FATHER’S DAY—Don’t forget your Dads and Host Dads! JUNE 28 END OF STAY ORIENTATION – REQUIRED – This is the end of stay. Lents Park,

Portland, OR

North Clackamas Maggie Frieske North/Northeast Chris Cradler Northwest/Southwest Sally Ann Wells Southeast/Gresham/Sandy Bernice Schuchardt Tillamook/Oregon Coast Sue Cudd Camas/Washougal Ruth Ladage Vancouver/Battle Ground Bernie Gerhardt Longview/Kelso/Toledo Debbie Erickson YES/FLEX Student Coordinators Maggie Frieske Rustam Kocher Rymmel Lovell Visiting Teacher Coordinators Barbara Rogers Jerrie Nelson Sally Ann Wells

AFS—USA PUBLIC DIPLOMACY INITIATIVES Congress‐Bundestag (CB):  The  Future  Leaders  Exchange  congress‐Bundestag  Youth  (FLEX):    The  Future  Leaders  exchange  Program  was  Exchange  program  originated  launched  in  1983  by  the  U.S.  in  the  FREEDOM  Support  Act,  Congress  and  the  German  which  was  sponsored  by  U.S.  parliament  (Bundestag).   Senator  Bill  Bradley  and  Annually,  AFS  provides  50  full  passed by Congress in 1992.  It  merit‐based  scholarships  for  provides  full  merit‐based  U.S.  students  to  study  in  scholarships  to  students  from  Germany  for  a  year,  and  57  the  countries  of  the  former  scholarships  for  German  Soviet  Union  to  study  abroad  participants  to  study  in  the  in the U.S. for a year.    U.S.      http:// http://exchanges.state.gov/ usagermanyscholarship.org  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  11

AFS COLUMBIA PACIFIC Tami Spears 1025 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