Special Edition

Inside this IssuePAX PLUS ....................................2

International Education Week .....3

Get Involved! ..............................4

The Adjustment Cycle ..................5

On the Home Front .....................6

Alumni News ..............................7

As Seen in Social Media ..............8

Overcoming Obstacles Contest Winner: Bayu from IndonesiaThis month’s winner is Bayu, who nar-rates his moving poem “Exchange Student World” that beautifully encapsulates how the life of an exchange student isn’t always easy. There are obstacles to get past, but in the end he reminds all of his peers from around the world who are here in the U.S. that “…the Exchange Student world is not bad, it is just different. And you, my friend, are the sun that will keep your mind open.”

—Bayu (YES, Indonesia), hosted by the Oestreich family (WI)

From Ghana to ArizonaKhardijah is great to have as part of our family! Of course, coming from Ghana to Sedona, Arizona, is quite the culture change. How-ever, her positive attitude, along with her sense of adventure and interest in our culture, has resulted in a mutually beneficial experience.

Just in the last month, Khardijah has gone hiking with the family and played in the snow for the first time in her life—she built a snow-man, made snow angels and snow cones, and threw snowballs at her sisters!

Khardijah has already exceeded her volunteer hours. She has been tutoring elementary school kids in reading and also served at a local soup kitchen over the holidays. In addition, she spent a weekend at a Young Life camp as a volunteer. Her first semester report

card just arrived and she received three A’s and two B’s.

However, with all that she has done, the best part seems to be the laughter that fills our house. We have three daughters, and when everyone is home together, Khardijah is just “one of the girls”—laughing, teas-ing, playing, and simply being herself and being part of our family.

—Scott and Darcy Holverson (AZ), host parents of Khardijah (YES, Ghana)

Khardijah quickly became an expert in the snow!

PAX PLUSBuilding CommunityA group of PAX students worked with United Way to help a homeowner make a rock fence. We had to pick up and move small and huge rocks from next to the house to the place where the fence would be built. We were having so much fun because we worked together, chatting, laughing, and joking around while we were picking up the rocks.

Yes, we were tired, but it was worth it. Community service hours: check! Enjoying time with new folks: check! Hav-ing a great time in United States? Absolutely!

—Safirah (YES, Indonesia), hosted by the Chaudhri family (VT)

(Front row) Mariano (Mexico) and Oche (YES, Nigeria); (Back row) Eduard (FLEX, Russia), Safirah, Naina (YES, Pakistan), Alicia (Spain), and commu-nity coordinator Ann Newsmith pose after a tiring but fun day.

Helping OthersI would like to tell you about my volunteering. I really love to do it, and my host mom always helps me to do it! I arrived a month ago, and I already have about 20 volunteer hours.

My first volunteer experience was in the church. It was very interesting. I spent time with children from 7 to 12 years old. I played with them or told them stories. Then one woman from church invited me to work with people who have disabilities, because they really need help. Now every Sunday morning I go to this group and work with these people. My second volunteering activity is with my neighbors, working on putting together a directory of local neighbors. We go to new neighbors’ houses and ask if they want their names and numbers to be in the directory. I have met a lot of great people and made many friends.

I also volunteer in a food pantry, help guide a blind man, and work with people with disabilities. I want to do more volunteering because I like it!

—Vladelina (FLEX, Kyrgyzstan), hosted by Janet Keller (OH) Vladelina enjoys helping people wherever she goes.

Taxing Yet RewardingCommunity service is like a tax you pay for living on the earth. I have been involved in a lot of community service since I got here. Community service gave me a chance to connect with people in a to-tally different manner. I stacked wood for the neighbors, helped feed people in church, and did lots of other things. I love doing community service. It is a great way to feel good about yourself; the smile you see on people’s faces makes you forget all your worries.

—Syed (YES, Pakistan), hosted by the Hume family (MA)

Syed volunteering at the Key Club’s spaghetti dinner

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International Education Week (November) 3

The Nuances of NigeriaZainab gave cultural presentations to journalism and English classes at her high school. She taught her audience about the diverse ethnic groups, religions, and histories within Nigeria in addition to the political system, natural resources, and teaching methods.

Her audience asked interesting questions, which made her learn even more about her own culture. In the accompanying photo, she meticulously describes a gourd designed by a Hausa man (West African ethnic group), using a small knife called an aska.

—Zainab (YES, Nigeria), hosted by the Parsons family (AZ)

Georgia is a Country Too!Elizbar addressed an auditorium of his fel-low students. Many were no doubt surprised to learn that Georgia’s not just the Peach State but a republic in the Caucasus region.

—Elizbar (FLEX, Georgia), hosted by the White family (OH)

Filipino FlairSheena Lee presented to nearly 400 peo-ple. Focusing on her school life back home in addition to her impressions of America, she “walked in front of them with a smile on my face and with full Filipino confi-dence.” She was so happy that her audi-ence appreciated her efforts and notes that being a young ambassador is the most amazing part of the exchange experience.

—Sheena Lee (YES, Philippines), hosted by the Richens family (UT)

A Taste of Tunisia Soumaya gave six presentations on her native Tunisia to about 140 students during International Education week. Guests learned about Tunisian history as well as spectacular sites, clothes, food (Soumaya’s host sister got to taste test in advance) and more.

—Soumaya (YES, Tunisia), hosted by the Basta family (PA)

Get Involved!4

Swimming Abroad The first half highlight to Mazen’s American high school experi-ence was being on the Flagstaff High School swim team. Mazen, who is from Egypt, decided early on to get involved in his new high school via participation in team sports, where he figured swimming was his best bet. After all, his home city of Cairo is bordered by the Red and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Nile River, so swimming was not new to him, right? Wrong! He didn’t realize how different swimming as a competitive sport really is. He had to learn each of the required swim strokes, flip turns, diving, etc. right from the start, and his first time on the 50-meter freestyle was 2:33.

Mazen didn’t give up and continued to work hard so that he could compete with his teammates in swim meets with other schools. In the end, not only did Mazen make new friends, he also reduced his 50-meter freestyle time to 26 seconds, earning him the “Most Improved Swimmer of the Year” award and the opportunity to compete as an alternate in the state championship meet. When asked about this experience, Mazen summed it up by saying, “It’s not a year in your life, it’s a life in a year!”

—Allison Eckert (AZ), host mom of Mazen (YES, Egypt)

Taking the Stage Anton of Germany, who is being hosted by the Girod family of Moyie Springs, ID, loves drama! Before com-ing to North Idaho to live for a school year, he also per-formed back home. Last fall he was one of the cast mem-bers of the play You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, at his school in Bonners Ferry, and here he is performing a solo in Legally Blonde, in which he played the part of Emmett.

—Kathleen Cassidy, community coordinator (ID)

Anton brings down the house!

Mazen makes some serious waves when he races!

Forward March!I haven’t gotten homesick at all, because I’m always busy. I’m part of the marching band at school, and that is definitely the most amazing experi-ence so far! Through the marching band, I have met a lot of great people, survived our three-week-long band camp, and learned how to overcome my weaker self. And even though it takes my whole free time to be a part of this “huge family,” I enjoy every second of it.

I already had two football game half-time performances. And what can I say? It was amazing, and I’m really excited about my next 10 months here in Texas!

—Carla (Germany), hosted by the Hynes family (TX)

Carla prepares to march with the band during her first football game.

The Adjustment Cycle5

No Longer Isolated!“In a school of less than one hundred people, one might think it is a pretty easy task to make friends. Unfortunately for me, the kids have known each other for so long that I had a hard time fitting in with this closed set of people.”

So begins Ita’s tale in this video of how she isolated herself at a small school. She finally connected with the dean of students, who knew from the minute she met Ita that she was a special person, but also sensed her loneliness. After some time of en-couraging Ita to come talk to her, the dean helped Ita to learn ways to find her place in this close-knit community.

—Ita (YES, Cameroon), hosted by the Bigelow family (MA)

You Chose You You chose the harder way to go

To be the strongest one and show

You can endure, in spite of wind

You see, the world just grinned

Don’t cut yourself with shard of fear

If you believe – the world will cheer

It’s coming time you’re being so weak

No sense to stay, you are homesick

It seems like people all are distant

But you’ll go through, you are resistant

Go out more, explore and dance!

It is your dream, you’ve got this chance!

It’s not a secret, time can fly

It does, my friend, so don’t be shy

It’s up to you which path to take

Be not afraid to make mistakes

Of course it changes you, no doubts here

You’re more mature, you’re fighting fear

More self-respect, respect to others

You understand you have your armors

And even if it feels alone

Go gather friends and eat some scones!

—Daryna (FLEX, Ukraine), hosted by the Goekjian family (NH)

Now, I have American friends!

An Uplifting Spirit WeekSpirit Week is a thing that everybody should experience. We had a parade of the sea-sons, built a bonfire, and played games which rallied and united us. The best game ever was to see which class could yell the loudest—so fun! What a pity that Spirit Week is just once a year.

—Mariya (FLEX, Russia), hosted by the Gallant family (ME)

Mariya (bottom row, far left) shouts as loudly as her classmates during Spirit Week.

On the Home Front6

I am really enjoying my time here due to the great support of my host family and my local coordinator. They were all so happy to see me and immediately made me feel as a member of the fam-ily and community.

One of the traditions I like here is going to church on Sundays. It is just great to find something I did at home with my family here in the US, because I could have also lived with a family who does not go to church. Another tradition I like is “family night,” where we are all present and watch a movie or play a board game together. It is just so beautiful, and I love it. I also love—I mean really love—cornbread, which is a type of tradi-tional bread here.

What I also like about my family is that they want to know more about me and my traditions too. For example, they wanted me to cook something from my country. When I did, they liked it. Now, they are asking me to do that one more time!

I learned so many new things about my family, but what touched me the most is the fact that they treat me not like an exchange student, but like a member of the family. It will show from time to time that I am not from here, but only the love matters. I really appreciate that from them—being as close to them as possible.

—Claude (YES, Cameroon), hosted by the Brady family (TN)

Claude’s cooking: back by popular demand

Magnolia State Welcomes You Mississippi, Mississippi, what a hospitable state

People here are amusing, easy-going and so great!

They are really fine in football

Can cook you something awesome good

When you understand their humor

You will always have good mood!

They will show you how to play softball

Cheer for team and play in band

If you ever get in trouble

You’ll receive a helping hand!

You will never be alone here

You will learn the Southern speech

In the famous Ole Miss land

All your goals can be reached!

—Yana (FLEX, Ukraine), hosted by the Armstrong family (MS)

What Really Matters

Me and My Awesome Host Family You’ll never be bored in this house full of nicely crazy children, who are my host siblings. We enjoy doing after school activities and even doing homework together! Since one month, we traveled to Utah, visited a national park, and had a great time at both Zozobra Festival and Balloon Fiesta. I’m really happy to be part of their family—the fifth kid! Every day is full of new things for me, and I’m sure for my host family as well.

—Anastasiia (FLEX, Ukraine), hosted by the Wilson family (NM)

Back in America!“My experience as an exchange student taught me lots of things,” says Purui (“Pray”), who went from being an only child to living with a large family on a farm. “I learned to take responsibility…how to care for others,” she says. “In the end, my exchange experience taught me how to open my heart to everything.”

It made such an impact that she decided to continue her studies in America! She is currently a junior at Purdue University, where she is studying social studies and working toward earning a teaching certificate. Her roommate is also a for-mer PAX exchange student!

—Purui Liu (China), hosted by the Best family (IN) in 2012/13

Pray reflects on her ongoing experience from her dorm room at Purdue.

Be the Best You Can Be!Lucia is now in her first year of college, where she studies translation and interpreta-tion—a direct impact of her year in America. In her video she recalls with nostalgia her wonderful host family, high school, and coordinator—the late Elena Brown.

Her high school’s motto was “Be the best you can be.” Lucia says not only was this one of the most meaningful things she learned but that she continues to put it into practice today. Lucia recommends participating in an exchange program, because “It makes you grow in many ways and shapes your personality.”

—Lucia Calderon (Spain), hosted by the Melior family (WA) in 2013/14

Lucia dons her old Kamiakin High cheerleading uniform. Go Braves!

Alumni NewsGroup Message“Time flies, so if you want to do something, do it.” This is just one of many insights offered by a very special group of 2014/15 PAX alumni from the FLEX and YES programs. A series of interviews with the ten students, the film offers prescient insight for current PAX students enter-ing the final months of the program year.

To shoot the video, two then-high school students (Alex and Shirli), followed the group on a PAX-led tour of New York City. Featur-ing exceptional cinematography, Alex and Shirli’s resulting film is inspiring to the point of goosebump-inducing. Not surprising, Alex has since gone on to study film at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Enjoy the video, and as Altynai from Kyrgyz-stan says, “Have fun!”

—Video by Alex Ioanoviciu and Shirli Samara, 2015 alumnae of Mamaroneck High School (NY)

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As Seen in Social Media8

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We Want to Hear from You!Whether you have considered hosting a high school exchange student, sending your teen abroad, having an exchange student at your

school, working locally to support an international student, or you simply want to learn more about what it is we do, feel free to give

us a call at 800.555.6211.

Already involved and have something to share for a future issue? Regardless of your relationship to PAX, we are

always accepting interesting content (stories, photos, videos, etc.) at paxpress@pax.org.

PAX Press is published monthly by PAX – Program of Academic Exchange.

Learn more at www.pax.org/newspaper.