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AYUSA In The News

AYUSA loves to make headlines!  Our students, host families, and staff are always providing inspirational and exciting stories to share, and we are always looking for the next great story.  Has your student been featured in the local news?  Are you a member of the media who is interested in covering an AYUSA student in your area? Let us know at news@ayusa.org.

News Archive
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs addresses YES students
Read Judith A. McHale's Remarks Read Story
Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs addresses YES students

On June 17, 2010, the Youth and Exchange Program (YES) students were addressed by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith A. McHale.

Ms. McHale spoke of the history and expansion of the YES Program under the leadership of Senators Kennedy, Lugar and Leahy.

"With the support of Senators Kennedy, Lugar and Leahy, this program has grown from 13 to 35 countries; and from 163 students in 2003 to 2004 to nearly 1,000 students for the 2010-2011 academic year – with students placed in every state and the District of Columbia. The Senators’ support has also included funding for alumni activities around the world, and the launch of the Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program, which gives young Americans the chance to travel to certain YES countries and live with host families just like each of you has done here."

She also commended the volunteer host families, schools and communities who help to make this program possible.

"Of course, the success of the YES program is due in large part to the generous host families, communities and American high schools that open their homes and classrooms to international exchange students each year. And we really want to thank you all of you for your participation. This program would not be possible without you. We hope that you stay connected with your host family, school, and the friends you made. And remember, you have transformed their lives as well."

AYUSA International was also recognized as being a leader in cultural exchange.

"I would also like to recognize the partnership of AYUSA International and its consortium partners in making the Kennedy-Lugar YES program such a success."

To read the full story, please visit the State Department's website here.

 

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Secretary of State Clinton Addresses YES Students
Read her touching remarks Read Story
Secretary of State Clinton Addresses YES Students

AYUSA's 2009-2010 Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) students were addressed by Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, on June 16, 2010 at the Department of State.

Secretary Clinton spoke to the diversity of humankind and our need to find common ground. She recgonized the impact that students have had on their host families, communities, and on the United States as a country as a result of sharing their culture and engaging in dialogoue to better understand one another. 

"And part of what I really believe, as I work on difficult problems around the world, is if we can get people to start looking at each other with mutual respect, with a mutual awareness that we do have so much more in common, treating someone as you would wish to be treated, not as the other but as a fellow human being, it’s not going to solve all the problems but it creates a more – more possibilities that we can find some common ground. And I hope that each of you goes back home with the idea that even in your families, your neighborhoods, your communities, there’s – there are opportunities for trying to find those commonalities, for bringing people together, seeking that common ground.

And I hope that you’ll have the chance to influence the course of events in your own countries. As you continue your education, as you think about what your passions are, as you build families, begin work, engage in all kinds of activities that will build a stronger future for your own people."

Watch Secretary Clinton's powerful remarks here.

Read the full address here.

 

 

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Exchange program enables learning from culture mix
By Christina Hall Read Story
Exchange program enables learning from culture mix

Finally, Michigan is at the top of a good list.

The state ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for hosting the most high school foreign exchange students this school year, according to the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel, a nonprofit that sets standards for exchange programs for high school students.

Michigan has 2,177 students here for a semester or a year, according to CSIET data. For seven years, Michigan has ranked in the top three states with the most high school exchange students per school year.

Continue reading about exchange in Michigan here.

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Tips on hosting a foreign exchange student
By Beth Stewart Read Story
Tips on hosting a foreign exchange student

“Welcoming a foreign exchange student into one’s home has a profound, lasting effect on the entire host family,” says Sherry Carpenter, Executive Director of AYUSA Global Youth Exchange. “Children especially are known to become more globally aware and interested in other cultures, languages and people. We have countless stories of young Americans being inspired to study or travel abroad because of foreign exchange students their parents hosted.”

Click here for the entire story!

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Experience: Memories of Another Land
By Maliha Nazim Khan Read Story
Experience: Memories of Another Land

As I set foot on Pakistani soil once again and walked out of the same airport terminal from which I left almost a year ago, it finally dawned on me… it really was over! Until this point I couldn’t believe it. An exchange year in the US, which seemed as though it would never end at first, had passed.

While the joy of meeting my family again was overwhelming, I was hit with the realisation that life was going to change back to the way it was. The life of an American teen, with all its good and bad aspects, was something I had become habituated to.

As I went through mixed emotions and weird thoughts, I couldn’t help but reminisce all the incredible memories of those 10 months in the Unites States — a significant milestone in my life — that will never come back, and one that I’ll never be able to forget!

Continue reading here.

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Families welcome a different culture
By Autum Terry Read Story
Foreign exchange students enhancing lives in Santa Rosa County

There's one sure way to learn about the culture and people from another country. For many families in Santa Rosa County, it’s by hosting a foreign exchange student.

The Academic Year in the USA organization has made it possible for families to host a foreign student for ten months.

Becky and Eric Shiver of Pace have an 11 year old daughter named Savanna and a 16 year old foreign exchange student named Kvitka Krotyuk.

For the Shivers, hosting an exchange student is something foreign to them.

"It's exciting. We wanted to educate Savanna more, and this is the perfect way to do that," Becky Shiver, 42, said.

Kvitka is fluent in Ukrainian, English and Russian and speaks a little Spanish and German. Becky Shiver said Kvitka is encountering many things in the United States she has never seen, or done, in the Ukraine.


"They (Ukrainians) don't eat black pepper with their foods. They eat a lot of beans, rice and poppy seeds," she said. "Going to the mall is always an adventure."

Back in the Ukraine, Kvitka lives in an apartment building. Here in America, she is living in a big four bedroom house.

Being a host family isn't for everyone, but the Shivers said it works for them. "She has been a big sister to Savanna," Eric Shiver, 41 said. "As a family, the cost is not a burden. But, with the economy the way it is, it would have been nice to do more things with Kvitka," Eric Shiver said.

Becky Shiver said the exchange students come with their own spending money. Kvitka came to the United States with a wardrobe of skirts and blouses.

"She buys her school lunches," Becky Shiver said. "I'm a thrifty shopper, so we got her name-brand clothes at a good price. And we borrowed a dress from a friend for homecoming."

Eric Shiver said Kvitka has had a positive effect on Savanna's grades. Savanna has become an A student from observing Kvitka's study habits.

Another host family is waiting for their foreign exchange student to arrive in August from the Netherlands. Somer and Jeff Jones of Navarre are hosting Evelien van der Wel. After finding out more about the program Jones began a plan to host a student.

"I actually saw it in a local newspaper," she said. "I went to the Web site first."

Jones, 28, has experience with hosting a foreign exchange student. "My family has hosted before in Las Vegas where I was born," she said. "We hosted a student from Sweden for a year when I was 10."

She is eager for the experience because she enjoyed it when she was younger. "I remember a lot of it. It was really a positive experience for me," Jones said. "It was like having a big brother."

She said it was curiosity when she went to the Web site for information. "It quickly became — I really want to do this," Jones said. "I think our family has a lot to offer a student because we love experiencing life."

The Jones have three children, Brynley, 7, Brody, 3 and Brielle is 18 months. "We are as adventurous as possible," Jones said. "And in our student's profile, she wants a family that will take her places."

Jones said it'll be a learning experience for everybody. "It gives an opportunity for my oldest daughter to learn a new culture," she said. "I think it's going to be so amazing to watch her experience our culture. I expect to have another member of the family and I hope she will come visit us in the future."

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Richard Montgomery’s German Rocket
By Matt Brooks Read Story
Richard Montgomery’s German Rocket

When Clemens Kaiser arrived in Rockville in August from his home in Pinneberg, Germany, the 17-year-old had one goal in mind — to set as many records in the pool as possible before he returned home at the end of the school year.

So far, so good as Richard Montgomery’s prized import has shattered the top times in program history while transforming the Rockets into a possible dark horse at the Montgomery County and Metros championships next month.

Kaiser’s journey to the United States began in 2008 when his German club team traveled from Pinneberg to its sister city of Rockville to train for two weeks. But Kaiser enjoyed his brief stay and the hospitality of his host family so much that he found a way to return the following year as a foreign exchange student.

“I had already been thinking about doing some form of exchange and then my host family asked if I’d like to come back to Rockville,” Kaiser said. “Since I already had the family situation set up, everything happened pretty quickly and it’s worked out really well. I already knew some of the swimmers on the team, so it was not like being pushed into cold water when you come to a completely new place, and I liked that.”

On a team loaded with freshmen and lacking in seniors, Kaiser has made an instant impact both in the pool and as a leader on the deck. His races alone fire up the team, but his talent and experience have enabled him to aid in coaching the team’s younger, non-club swimmers.

“I got an e-mail from his host family at the end of last school year letting me know they were going to have a foreign exchange student this year, but I had no idea he would make this kind of an impact on the team,” Richard Montgomery Coach Aryn Wheeler said. “He took a leadership role from the start, helping younger swimmers out by critiquing their strokes and helping with starts and turns. The kids really look up to him and they always get fired up watching him in the water.

After Saturday’s loss to Churchill, the Richard Montgomery boys fell to 0-3 in their first season of Division 1 competition. But the team has seen noticeable improvement and Kaiser continues to make waves at the top of the leader board. He won five of his six individual events in the three dual meets and helped the Rockets to victories in the 200 medley and 400 free relays. Kaiser has already set school records in the 100 (49.0), 200 (1:45.56) and 500 (4:42.50) free and the 200 IM (1:57.44) and against Churchill, he was a triple-winner, taking the 200 free, 100 back — an event Wheeler did not even know he could swim — and the 200 medley relay.

Records aside, Kaiser — who also swims with the Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club — has most enjoyed the experience of swimming with a team. His pool time has nearly doubled with nine practices a week compared to five with his German club, and while the competition can be intense at the club level back home, there are no high school swim teams and the atmosphere at meets is noticeably less spirited.

“It’s been pretty cool to experience this completely new system with high school teams,” Kaiser said. “High school sports have a lot of spirit and your teammates are always cheering you on. That’s totally different in the clubs in Germany because they’re more focused on their own times. Here every single person is standing and cheering for you, and that’s a good feeling to have when you’re swimming.”

With counties and Metros fast approaching, Kaiser has his sights set on leading the Rockets to a higher finish than last year in the former and qualifying for the A finals at the latter. And from what he has been told by teammates, the experience of the Metros meet is one he won’t soon forget.

“They told me it’s like a completely different meet,” Kaiser said. “There’s so much cheering and it’s super loud and everyone gets fired up and drops time. We want to set some more school records there and I’m really looking forward to it.”

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KHS student experiences life in Germany
Her article and in Her Own Words Read Story
Jedel Galloway, CBYX Student from AYUSA Makes the News!

Jedel Galloway (seen below, right with Martina Kern, another CBYX scholar, left), one of our CBYX students was featured in a newspaper.  She loved the experience and comments: “I can’t complain about anything because no matter what the problem is, it is quickly fleeting and replaced by true joy and happiness almost immediately,” she said. “I love life in Germany and would highly suggest this program to anyone seeking adventure, learning and a heck of a lot of fun.” 

“I wish I could explain how absolutely stunning it is in Germany, the cooing birds or the sound of bell, the feeling of sunshine or the smell of rain. I wish I could show you what I see, allow you to listen to what I hear, and help you to feel the things I feel.   Alas all of these are impossible so I am resigned to telling you that all is absolutely spectacular! I am constantly surrounded by incredible people who do incredible things, beautiful old buildings mixed right in with new age modern ones, old traditions, but open minds.  I am immersed into a family that is like any good family on Earth, totally loving and amazing with quirks like anyone else.  All this though, doesn’t even to begin to describe how much I’ve learned in my past month and a half here. My German skills, while by absolutely no means are perfect, have improved with such speed as to give me hope and confidence for the future.  The people are very cooperative and patient with me and I get along quite nicely. All in all this has been an outstanding experience thus far and I see it continuing to be so for my remaining 9 months.  It’s not all easy, but the immediate as well as long term rewards far outweigh any difficulties along the way.  I can’t complain about anything because no matter what the problem is, it is quickly fleeting and replaced by true joy and happiness almost immediately.  I love life in Germany, and would highly suggest this program to anyone seeking adventure, learning, and a heck of a lot of fun. I see my year as a CBYX student as being the best, if not one of the best, years of my life.”

One Klein High School student is spending her 2008-2009 school year in Germany after being awarded the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Scholarship to study in Germany through AYUSA International.

Jedel Galloway is one of 250 students nationwide to win the merit-based scholarship. The scholarship is a joint-sponsored grant between the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag. It funds American and German students to study abroad for one academic year in each of their opposing countries. The scholarship was designed to strengthen ties and share cultural insights between German and American youth.

Jedel had some wonderful things to say about Germany:

“Germany is absolutely spectacular,” Galloway said. “I am constantly surrounded by incredible people who do incredible things, beautiful old buildings mixed right in with the new-age modern ones and old traditions, but open minds.”

She describes her German host family as loving, amazing and having quirks like any other family.

“I can’t even describe how much I’ve learned in my past month-and-a-half here,” she said. “My German skills have greatly improved and the people are very cooperative and patient with me.”

Galloway said she’s had an outstanding experience so far and is looking forward to the next nine months she will spend in Germany.

“I can’t complain about anything because no matter what the problem is, it is quickly fleeting and replaced by true joy and happiness almost immediately,” she said. “I love life in Germany and would highly suggest this program to anyone seeking adventure, learning and a heck of a lot of fun.”

For more information on the CBYX Scholarship or to host an international exchange student, call 800-579-1709 ext. 5610 or visit AYUSA at www.ayusa.org.

View this story from the original source.

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Moroccan Youth Joins Family
By Danielle Sottosanti Read Story
Arizona Daily Star; Thursday, April 10, 2008

When East Side resident Dennis Krantz used to think of Morocco, he thought of movies such as "Casablanca."

From now on, he and his family will think of 17-year-old Marouane Smaili and the 10 months that the Moroccan youth is living with them as part of a federally funded cultural exchange program.

(Moroccan exchange student Marouane Smaili has introduced the Krantz family to Moroccan cuisine, which is eaten from a communal plate. From left are Dennis Krantz, David Krantz, Smaili, Jenna Krantz and Susan Krantz. During his stay, Smaili is considered part of the Krantz family. )

Since coming to Tucson in August, Smaili has become very much a part of the family, host parents Dennis and Susan Krantz said. They also have two biological children -- Jenna, 13, and David, 15.

The Krantzes and Smaili sit down to family meals and talk about their day, relax by watching television shows such as "American Idol," go on vacations and attend church together, even though Smaili is a Muslim.

Some parts of the Krantzes' culture, such as singing in church, were new to Smaili, he said. And vice versa: The first time they sat down to eat a Moroccan meal, Smaili started eating with the serving spoon. In Morocco, he was accustomed to everyone eating from a communal plate, rather than serving the food onto individual plates.

When they have time to eat a Moroccan meal as a family, the Krantzes now eat the Moroccan way.

"This is the most fun thing we've learned," Dennis said last week during such a dinner.

Cultural exchange is a fundamental part of the Youth Exchange and Study Program, the U.S. Department of State program through which more than 700 high school students from predominantly Muslim nations are currently studying in the United States.

Smaili's native country is 98.7 percent Muslim, according to the CIA's World Factbook.

He is one of five Youth Exchange and Study Program students in Arizona, according to AYUSA Global Youth Exchange, a non-profit organization that has helped administer the program since 2003.

"The idea is that they experience America," said David Beiser, AYUSA's Youth Exchange and Study Program director.

Since coming to the United States, Smaili and the Krantzes have gone with other exchange students and host families on a weekend trip to Disneyland and have visited the Grand Canyon. He's also been to Washington, D.C. And in turn, Smaili has taught Americans -- the Krantzes and people outside his host family -- about his homeland. He gave a presentation about Morocco to the youth group he attends at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 8051 E. Broadway.

Part of the American experience is that, although we're a diverse country, we're one nation, Beiser said. "That's a message we try to communicate on a worldwide scale."

The program also aims to encourage thinking with an open mind, along with the concept of volunteering and community service, Beiser said.

Smaili volunteers at St. Paul's and has helped carry equipment for the marching band at Santa Rita High School, 3951 S. Pantano Road -- where both he and his host brother, David Krantz, go to school. Smaili is a senior and Krantz is a sophomore.

He will go back to Morocco in June, but it won't mean the end of his international travels. After he finishes his last year of secondary school in Morocco, he's considering going to an American university and plans to eventually become an international businessman.

Contact reporter Danielle Sottosanti at 618-1922 or at dsottosanti@azstarnet.com.

A new outlook from Moroccan exchange student Marouane Smaili's perspective:

Five misconceptions people have about Morocco and Islam:

  1. The religion is very strict and based on violence.
  2. The culture is strict.
  3. The people are closed-minded.
  4. Only people of the African race live in Morocco.
  5. The country doesn't have technology such as cell phones and the Internet.

Five things he learned about the United States that he didn't know:

  1. The culture is diverse, interesting and simply fun to learn about.
  2. People are open-minded, sociable and respectful.
  3. The educational system is very interesting with a lot of freedom -- elective classes -- and cool activities.
  4. There is a full mix of cultures and races.
  5. There is a cultural mix of food and ways of cooking. 

For more information on the program:

  • Youth Exchange and Study Program: www.yesprograms.org
  • U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: http://exchanges.state.gov/
  • AYUSA Global Youth Exchange: To learn more about becoming a host family through AYUSA, go online to www.ayusa.org or call 1-888-552-9872.
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Exchange Students Adjust to Life in Ocala
By Joe Callahan Read Story
Star-Banner, Monday, April 7, 2008

For Katja, 17, an exchange student from the 700-year-old German village of Bergneustadt, learning about life as an American teenager was a dream. For RikkiLee, 17, a North Marion High junior, hosting an international student was a dream, though she soon learned one result was she would no longer be the center of attention in her family.

Katja has learned to understand American sarcasm, fallen in love with chicken parmesan and introduced the McGlynns to tuna fish pizza. RikkiLee has had adjust to sharing time with her parents, brother and dog. "Sometimes I feel like I hate her," RikkiLee said, adding she also protects her like a sister. "I'm not used to sharing my family. I am a very selfish person."

Katja smiled while RikkiLee talked about her international sister, who has been living with the family for seven months. "When she gets like that, I watch television with dad [actually the host father, Scott McGlynn] while she cools off," Katja said. "I even watch golf if I have to."

RikkiLee said she feels bad about it afterwards, but "sometimes I have made her cry. I want her to feel like she can yell back at me like a sister."

Though the teenagers sometimes don't get along, they are also always together. They go to North Marion High functions, football games and even played together on the Lady Colts soccer team. "I think it was hard for her to understand me. She didn't know that I was joking with her," said Scott McGlynn, 46. "She really thought we didn't like her at first."

RikkiLee's mom, Lori Jean McGlynn, agreed, saying there was a language barrier at first. She said the family thought Katja wasn't happy and didn't like them as well. But now everyone understands each other. They all say it has been a great experience for Katja and the McGlynn family, one of about 10 area families currently hosting international exchange students.

The students are part of Academic Year USA (AYUSA), a global student exchange company that led 1,300 teenagers from about 75 countries to homes around the United States. There are strict rules that apply to all exchange students. No alcohol, drugs or even dating are allowed during their 10-month stays. The average cost per child is $10,000, not including about $2,000 spending money they bring with them.The host families are responsible for providing a bed, food and transportation to school and related functions.

Eileen Zimmerman, AYUSA regional director for Marion County, first hosted a student 30 years ago. She said her company is very meticulous, requiring criminal background checks on all host family members. The families choose the exchange student, who also must agree. The hope is that the families and students are compatible. Sometimes, there are problems and she must find another host family or the child must return home early.

Sometimes a host family may be too strict, worried about the student getting harmed, or there are cultural differences. In other cases, it may be a health issue with the host family.

Stefan Niesen, 17, of Huerth, Germany, which is a small village located in the Cologne suburbs, was moved from a home recently due to a host family health problem.  He was moved out of a home that had a 16-year-old boy into the home of Max and Kelly Hadaway, who have no children. The couple, who are in their 30s, have been trying unsuccessfully to have children. A few days before they learned about Stefan's plight, they were considering hosting a child next school year. Then, Zimmerman contacted them about the situation.

"The stork then brought us a 16-year-old, 160-pound German boy," Max said with a laugh.

They have taken Stefan to Texas to meet their family, been skiing in New Mexico and soon will head to the Florida Keys. He even exchanged Christmas gifts with the family.

"My favorite gift was a pocket watch," said Stefan, who attends Belleview High School.

Last week at Forest High School, Peichin "Peggy" Tsai, of Taipei, Taiwan, said she thought American high schools were segregated, where students formed groups of friends based on ethnic groups or sports they played.

Peggy said she was shocked to find that America is truly a melting pot, where people of all races intermingle.  Peggy also had a different vision of the typical American household.  "I thought all Americans lived in mansions," she said, adding she soon learned that most homes were more modest than she had envisioned.  Later that evening, Peggy sat at a kitchen table with her host family, James and Lynn Zimmerman - Eileen Zimmerman's son and daughter-in-law - and their two children, Ashley, 12, and Michael, 14.  Ashley looks up to Peggy and loves having her around the family."She is doing much better in school," James Zimmerman said of Ashley's grades.

Back at Forest High, Derya Rabanus, of Siegen, Germany, said she felt intimidated about communicating in English, but has now lost her German accent and speaks fluent English.

Instead of using money from her savings account to get a driver's license and car, Derya paid $9,000 for the trip, gaining support from her mother to tap into an account started by her grandmother.  "I was pretty scared about having problems with the language," said Derya, who was homesick when she first arrived and her birthday fell on the third day of school. "I felt alone."

Another student, Juliana Shimizu, 17, of Sao Joaquim, Brazil, said American high schools are much different than she imagined. She said they are much better than those of her homeland. "There are much more activities here," said Juliana, who was born to Japanese parents who moved to Brazil before she was born. "I like the school system much better than in Brazil."

Eileen Zimmerman and her husband, Mike, are Juliana's host family. They take her with them every Sunday to First Baptist Church in Ocala. The church is planning a mission trip to Anchorage, Alaska, in May, and Juliana received money from her parents to go and help renovate a church. "I want to go and help them have a closer relationship to God," Juliana said.

Now, Eileen Zimmerman is seeking host families for next school year. "We want people to consider being a host family," she said. "It's an experience they will never forget."

Joe Callahan may be reached at joe.callahan@starbanner.com or 867-4113.

 

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AYUSA in the News

AYUSA alumna, Lindsey Potts, was featured in the news!

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