NOVEMBER

2009

BE AN EXCHANGE
STUDENT:

If you’re thinking
about becoming a high
school exchange student

2009-2010 Camp Adams!

you’ve come to the right
place.
AFS has been creating
s t u d y a b r o a d
opportunities for high
school students for 60
years. With more than
120 different summer,
year, and semester
international exchange
programs, we know we
have the program that’s
right for you.

• Year Fall Departure

• Year Spring
Departure
• Semester Fall
Departure
• Semester Spring
Departure
• Summer Homestay
• Summer Language
Study
• Summer Community
Service
On October 10th and 11th, the exchange pumpkin carving contest (most students had
students and their siblings attended never carved pumpkins before), a campfire
orientation better known as Camp Adams. where the students learned how to make and
INSIDE Here they learned about Family & Culture, eat Smores, the huge cultural sharing
THIS ISSUE: Cycles of Adjustment, School, Friendship, presentations, and finally the law enforcement
Building Skills, Communication, Problem show/presentation. Fun was had by all!
Turkmenistan 3 Solving, Personal Safety and Law Enforcement.
We also had a lot of fun…there was the Continued on pages 4 and 5...
Camp Adams 4-5

What The
Students
Have to Say
6-7
The Holidays...
During the familiar holidays, students of home, and it is
Hayley’s Blog 8 students may enjoy the especially hard for kids when
celebrations of their new host they know that their family and
families. But will likely also feel friends are getting together
Chapter News 9
a little sad and lonely. Major and celebrating without them.
Straight 10
holidays tend to remind
Talk—Host
Sibling News

Calendar 11

Our Mission
AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international
and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and
communities through a global volunteer partnership.
 A Message From the Area Team Chair
PAGE 2
Wow, it’s been a busy
Fall here in Columbia-
Pacific. We had an incredi-
bly successful and fun Post-
Arrival Orientation at Camp
Adams. A million thanks go
out to the many volunteers
who put together a great
weekend for us all. You
would be surprised at how
much work goes into prepa-
ration for Camp Adams. It
was a great opportunity for
the students, host parents, and
host siblings to reflect on what
they’ve learned so far as well as
Claudia (Italy) and Naima (Kenya)...
Claudia thought it was
very funny when she asked
me if I had many Aunts and I
“Our daughter started to tell her that I had
lots of Aunts because my Dad
typically, got sad was from a big family. It turns
out she wanted to know if
at the holidays. ants were a problem because
We made sure that she had just spilled sugar on
she was aware of
how we celebrated, Promoting AFS Through Local Networking
and she was a part When you first joined
AFS, you were probably told
of the planning
to make list of all the people
and execution of you know who might be
interested in hosting an
it.” AFS Germany exchange student or doing in-
home interviews for students
going abroad. Several months
later, you’ve exhausted your
list, and you’re having trouble
connecting with new people.
So what now?
The answer is networking.
To get started, search the
internet for free networking
groups in your city or go to a
networking website like
www.meetup.com. There
Charles and his will likely be many free
Halloween candy! groups in your area that meet
in the morning, at noon, or in
to discuss strategies for making
this year a great year for every-
one. It’s always nice to have
some fun while learning and
sharing.
The Area Team outing to
the Scream at the Beach
haunted house provided great
insight into a uniquely American
holiday for the students as well.
We’re very fortunate to have
AFS friends who run Scream at
the Beach and offer free admis-
sion and preferential treatment
to the exchange students. I
think it was a night the students
our floor.
While staying at my home,
Claudia and Naima enjoyed
the chance to make a
chocolate layer cake for the
first time. It turned out a bit
uneven but tasted delicious!
Michele Vixathep
the evenings. Some of these
groups cater exclusively to
small business owners, but
others welcome anyone
who’s interested. Networking
groups are great for building
personal connections with
others in the community.
If you don’t have time to
join a regular group, look for
free networking events, such
as mixers, grand openings,
and holiday parties. Such
events require no regular
commitment, and they offer
prime opportunities to
introduce AFS to a large
group of people. The
advantage of going to
networking events is that you
are almost guaranteed to
meet new people every time.
will remember for the rest of
their lives.
We have more big holidays
coming up in the next couple
months as well. I hope you all
focus on cultural learning and
sharing, whether you’re a host
parent, a host sibling, or an ex-
change student. We have a lot
to teach each other and a short
seven months remaining to do
it. Enjoy making those memo-
ries that will last a lifetime. And
stay dry!
James Spears, Area Team Chair
Finally, get in touch with
whomever is responsible for
organizing your local Saturday
market or annual city
parades. These events
generally allow you to set up
a booth to display AFS
promotional materials.
If you’re in Vancouver or
Portland and are interested in
attending a free networking
event but are a little shy
about going alone, contact me
and I’ll go with you. Together
we can take on the Portland
Metro area and welcome new
friends into our AFS family.
Cheers,
Columbia Pacific Area
Sending Coordinator
Emily (Leis) Zushi
 PAGE 3

Spotlight on Turkmenistan
Hi I am Serdar and I am
from Turkmenistan! I am from
the third biggest city in
Turkmenistan which is named
Mary. There are five regions in
Turkmenistan and my city is in
the fifth region also called Mary.
The Mary region is the ancient
region in Turkmenistan. In the
history it’s name was Merv than it changed to
Margush and is now Mary. Mary is a nice city.
The city is not so big and a lot of people know
each other. There we have shopping centers,
theatres, amusement parks, some
government buildings, the big mosque,
some banks, hospitals and a river named
Murgap. The summer time is very hot but
nights of summer time is so nice and I like
to walk at night. The winter is not too
cold even some years there is not much
snow. I like more summer time! Because
I like to hang out with my friends at the
amusement parks. I really like the
amusement parks and I would like to go to
roller coasters in America. It will be one
of my amazing American experiences! Turkmenistan

The biggest Mosque in my city. The main theatre in my city. Me and my best friends.

What is your funniest host family moment?

• OMG there are so many of them!
Maybe when my host sister told her
family that she had a boyfriend… I
had known about it for 2 days
before everyone else, and she told
me that she didn’t want to have
questions from her mother and her
mother asked her so many
questions...Emma and I laughed so
much! - Laura, France
• Every time when I am with my
oldest host brother is a funny
moment! - Alexander, Germany
• Our funniest moment was when we
went to Lincoln city for a week. I
had a great time there. It was an
enjoyable week and was the first
time I saw the Pacific Ocean.
Thank you to my host family for
that funny week! - Serdar,
Turkmenistan
• Every weekend! Because my Mom
doesn’t work and we go every
weekend to her sisters house for
dinner—Brigitta, Hungary
• The funniest moment was when we
went to a haunted house and they
all were afraid and made me walk
first. They pushed me with saying
keep going and I didn’t stop
screaming I was so afraid. After we
finished they made fun of me and
then my Mom played a trick on me
and made a ghost chase me! It was
so funny I laughed on myself after
that! - Farah, Egypt
• I have so much fun with my host
family so it’s too hard to choose
only one moment because the
whole time I have been here was
one big long funny moment—
Annika, Austria
• We went to the Zoo and my host
Dad just making jokes and its so
funny—Jake, Philippines
• Halloween party—Pauline, France
• Him...every moment! Just love
them...we are happy everyday—
Tipsuda, Thailand
• All the moments that we spend as a
family are funny. We like to pick
on each other—Idil, Turkey
• It was a translation moment when I
told my host Mom that I’m going to
have an interview with the
vegetarians. We finally found out
that it is Veterans and a few days
after that I looked at the calendar
and saw the word “Veterans Day”.
I laughed a lot because I thought
that it is vegetarian day and I also
thought that there must be a lot of
vegetarians in the U.S. because
they have a vegetarians day. Lol—
Aom, Thailand
• When my host parents made me
read this joke, who was really
funny...or also just when my host
father try to joke about me. It’s
funny—Alex, Switzerland
• My host family dressed up on
Halloween…!!! - Supichaya,
Thailand
• Tubing, pumpkin patch and
wakeboarding… - Katya,
Switzerland
• My host parents were dancing
while they were cooking for
dinner—Milk, Thailand
 PAGE 4

Camp Adams—Cultural Sharing

“Every day I remind

myself that I may be

the only person from

Thailand that people

in my host

communities will ever

meet. I want to leave

them with a good

impression of our

country and its

people.—Exchange

Teacher, 2006-07

WWW.AFSCP.COM
 PAGE 5

Law Enforcement Presentation...

Smores...

Pumpkin Carving...
 PAGE 6
What the Exchange Students have to say...
What did the Exchange
Students have to say when they
were asked the following
questions?
1. Did you dress up for
Homecoming week?
• Of course. And it was so
much fun!!! - Alexander,
Germany
• No, I went to Scream at
the Beach instead—
Serdar, Turkmenistan
• Yes I did! It was very fun—
Jahan from Brigitta, Hungary
Azerbaijan and • I dressed up for
homecoming, it was a
her FLEX trophy!
blast! - Annika, Austria
• Yeah I dress up in my
homecoming like a black
formal with white stripes
on it—Jake, Philippines
• I did dress up and it was
A fun student fun—Naima, Kenya
• Yeah, I did...we had Jungle
moment—”Our day, Salad Dressing, Color
day etc.—Jahan,
student, Anna from Azerbaijan
• Yes...cowboy, 20th Century
Germany, had some
day, Color Day...I didn’t
dress up for Future day or
candy and wanted to
Toga day—Aom, Thailand
share it with a friend • I dress up from
homecoming like every
so she asked the other kids, the theme was
neon...my homecoming
friend if she wanted date and I were both
dressed in neon, and it was
to deal her candy. a lot of fun just to see
everybody dressed up—
She had heard that Alex, Switzerland
• I did dress up but just in
we dealt drugs here the class color...Maroon…!
- Supichaya, Thailand
and so she thought
• I dressed up for the
homecoming dance as sort
that was what we of a witch with a black
dress and mask, and for
said when we wanted most of the spirit days—
Katya, Switzerland
to share something.”
• I was not dressed but it
The Sherman Family was funny seeing the
people dressed.— Milk,
Thailand
2. What is your favorite
American Music Band?
• I really like American
Bands so I can’t choose...I
WWW.AFSCP.COM
love Pink, the Blackeyed
Peas and so many others—
Laura, France
• Linkin Park—Alexander,
Germany
• I don’t have a specific
band that I like, I listen to
just good songs and don’t
really care who is the
b a n d — S e r d a r ,
Turkmenistan
• I haven’t a favorite but I
like country music—
Brigitta, Hungary
• Fray, Nickelback and Fort
Minor—Annika, Austria
• 2pac, Lloyd Banks, Story
of the year, Blink 182—
Alberto, Chile
• Stained and Slipknot—
Jake, Philippines
• Camas Hig h School
Band—Simon, Switzerland
• Muse—Pauline, France
• Pink—Tipsuda, Thailand
• The Killers—Idil, Turkey
• Linkin Park! - Aom,
Thailand
• System of a Down but I
already listened to them in
Germany—Hendrik,
Germany
• Fray—Alex, Switzerland
• Lighthouse, Tobi Mac or
Natalie Grant—Lucia,
Germany
• Linkin Park—Milk,
Thailand
• Jason Mraz—Kohung,
Thailand
3. What is the strangest thing
you have eaten in the U.S.?
• Frozen Soda...it’s a
specialty of my host
brother William...he put a
bowl of soda in the freezer
and after a while we ate/
drank it. It’s weird but
p r e t t y g o o d .— L a u r a ,
France
• Asian food ;-) - Alexander,
Germany
• I ate the Chinese food. I
never ate it before but I
like it! - Serdar,
Turkmenistan
• I like every food in U.S. but
sometimes the Mexican
food is not too good—
Brigitta, Hungary
• Artichokes...I have never
ate it before and I liked it
but it was so funny when
my family started eating it
and I was watching
because I didn’t know how
to eat it! - Farah, Egypt
• Clams :) - Annika, Austria
• Smores—Alberto, Chile
• The strangest thing I ever
ate is a bagels!!! - Jake,
Philippines
• I like everything I have
eaten—Simon, Switzerland
• The strangest thing I have
eaten is Salad Dressing...It
contains too much oil. I
told my host family it
tastes like kerosene—
Ester, Indonesia
• Pumpkin seeds—Pauline,
France
• Lasagna BUT IT WAS
SOOOO GOOD!!!! -
Naima, Kenya
• Salad...we have different
ta s t e in T ha ila n d—
Tipsuda, Thailand
• Nothing strange but I do
not like peanut butter! -
Jahan, Azerbaijan
• Olive oil and balsamic
vinegar with bread. It is
not normal in Thailand to
have bread with oil but I
really love it!!! - Aom,
Thailand
• The food is not that
different from Germany,
but a chocolate cookie
with peanut butter is
something I had to get
used to—Hendrik,
Germany
• Nothing really weird—
Alex, Switzerland
• Buffalo!!! Haha—
Supichaya, Thailand

What the Exchange Students have to say...
3. What is the strangest thing you
have eaten in the U.S.?
Continued...
• Peanut butter and jelly
sandwich… - Katya,
Switzerland
• The strangest thing I have
eaten in the U.S. was the
Halloween dinner. WE ate
blue chicken and lasagna that
looked very gross. It was
supposed to look like a dead
person cooked.—Lucia,
Germany
• Mexican food (a lot of kind of
tacos)… somehow, the bread,
pizza, sandwich by without
ketchup!! I mean in Thailand
we always put ketchup on
everything! - Milk, Thailand
• Nachos dipped in cheese—
Kohung, Thailand
4. What is your favorite school
activity?
• Dance...I spend most of my
time (14 hours a week) in the
dance studio, I just love it—
Laura, France
• Basketball—Alexander,
Germany
• I really like wrestling! - Serdar,
Turkmenistan
• Volleyball practice—Brigitta,
Hungary
• Assembly..they are really so
cool—Farah, Egypt
• Soccer—Annika, Austria
• PE and going off campus for
lunch—Alberto, Chile
• Football games! - Jake,
Philippines
• Band—Simon, Switzerland
• My favorite school activity????
salmon watch… - Ester,
Indonesia
• Dance—Pauline, France
• Choir in school is my favorite!
- Naima, Kenya
• J a pan es e clu b—T ips uda ,
Thailand
• Tutoring people in math—Idil,
Turkey
• Japanese club...we usually
make the paper crane, watch
Japanese cartoons and cook
some Japanese food like
curry—Aom, Thailand
• I like a lot cross country, just
to be with the team at the
race and give my best for the
team was just awesome. And
now I’m going to do the ski
team, who I'm sure gonna be
awesome too… - Alex,
Switzerland
• School assembly—Supichaya,
Thailand
• Choir, sports and clubs! -
Katya, Switzerland
• Cross country and choir
class—Lucia, Germany
• Basketball and reading the
American novel—Milk,
Thailand
• C r o s s C o unt r y — K o h un g ,
Thailand
• The Robotics club. We want
to take part in a big
competition in January and I
will be one of the
programmers—Hendrik,
Germany
5. Have you dreamt in English?
• Yes, it was a month after I
arrived—Laura, France
• Yeah, but only two times—
Alexander, Germany
• I am dreaming in English every
night and I’m thinking in
English! When I arrived here
my English was bad but in 3—
4 months it improved a lot.
Now I am enjoying my
communication with my
American friends, host family
and with everyone who speaks
English—Serdar, Turkmenistan
• Not yet, but my Mom told me
it will happen—Brigitta,
Hungary
• Yeah sometimes I dream in
English with my host family! -
Farah, Egypt
• Yeah I have dreams only in
English in also bilingual
dreams—Annika, Austria
• Yes and no. I had some
dreams with some words in
English but never a dream in
all English—Simon,
Switzerland
PAGE 7
• Yes I dreamt in English
already..hehehe...it is very
funny, at the beginning it kind
of mix with my native
language and English but now
suddenly all people in my
dream speak English.
That’s why now I feel
excited to go to bed.
Heheheheeeeee. This is
“I think the
so cool, isn’t it… - Ester,
Indonesia
funniest moment
• Yes I have dreamt in
English 3 times—Pauline, was when I realized
France
• Yes ever since I have been that there was no
here—Naima, Kenya
• Yes...sometimes I don’t VEGETARIANS
realize that I’m thinking in
E n g l i s h ! - T i p s u da , DAY...it was
Thailand
• I think so but I feel like actually VETERANS
most of the time I can’t
remember what language DAY” - Aom,
I spoke but I know that I
didn’t speak in Thai— Thailand
Aom, Thailand
• I dreamt half in English
and half in French last
night… - Alex, Switzerland
• It’s been a long time since I
have dreamt—Supichaya,
Thailand
Pauline from France and her host
parents on Halloween!
 PAGE 8
Hayley’s Blog—American in Thailand
The first full moon of November
(this year Nov. 2nd) is the Loy
Krathong festival in Thailand. All
over the country there are
parades, beauty contests, and the
most important part, the
Krathongs. Krathongs are little
boats made from banana leaves,
flowers, and a piece of a banana
tree (to help it float) with incense
and a candle on the top. Once the
sun starts to set you light the
incense and candle, add a coin,
Hayley make a wish, and then cast the
Krathong into the water. This
purpose of this festival is to
apologize to Mother Nature for
polluting and damaging the
environment. (Ironically, there are
quite a few Krathongs with a
Styrofoam base!)
I was SO happy to see my
classmates again today. I gave my
"Many host friend Air a hug and we talked
about what we did over the break.
parents have I didn’t get to spend much time
been surprised with them though as by 10:30am I
by their had to go with my host mother to
participant's get my hair, makeup and costume
done. I was finally finish by 3 pm
initial lack of the (4 hours!!) and went to school to
use of "please" join the parade. The parade
and "thank started at 3:30 and it took us
you." I would about an hour to get to the lake
(which was only about 2 km from
like to commend Krasang). There were a lot of
my student,
Gianmarco
(Italy) for the
many times he
thanks me. I get
"thank you's"
when I make his
Sensitive Discussions—Politics and Religion
lunch, wash his The political landscape in America
clothes, give him is becoming pretty heated and
a ride, etc. I partisan lately. We’ve had a few
have hosted emails from different host families
and volunteers sent to other host
many students
families and volunteers with
since 1978, and political messages that some have
Gianmarco is an found offensive. I want to stress
exception. that the mission of AFS is to “…
"Thank you, work toward a more just and
Gianmarco! - peaceful world by providing
Bernice international and intercultural
Schuchardt learning experiences..” In my eyes,
that says that we’re working on
cultural understanding rather than
trying to force our culture or our
beliefs on others.
Our policy is that AFS email
addresses shouldn’t be used to
share religious or political
messages or to promote a
business. Please only include AFS
people gathered and as soon as all
of the parade-walkers arrived, it
was picture time! I had many
people come up to me and ask for
pictures. I took pictures with
students, teachers, farmers, little
kids, etc. Boy were my cheeks
sore! Casting my Krathong into
the water and making a wish
though gave me a moment
(though only a moment LOL)
where my mind sensed only peace Walking in the parade with
and everything around me felt my classmates
really calm. Unfortunately there
were some very strong winds
today so many of the candles
didn’t stay lit for very long (or
didn’t light at all) but as I saw mine
out there on the water, still
glowing it almost gave me a feeling
that my wish would come true.
What my wish was, however, will
remain my secret.;)
Hayley, Oregon USA
Me and my host family!!
Make a wish...
contacts in these types of • reports from hosted students
communications if you know the about their home countries and
individuals personally. cultures or from American
students abroad about their host
Also, the Area Team newsletter is countries and cultures,
not a forum for political or
religious discussions except where • tips to help students (both in
presented by exchange students as the US and abroad), host families,
a way of informing the rest of our and volunteers to have a successful
community about their culture. year,
• important program
Please note that the AFS volunteer information that participants, host
newsletter should be utilized to families, and volunteers need to
communicate the following: know,
•
organization of Area Team • organization and growth of
functions, events, and orientations, the volunteer base.
• stories about group activities; Let me know if you have any
funny student anecdotes; student questions or input.
successes and achievements;
interesting or funny host family James Spears, Area Team Chair
stories about life with an exchange
student,
 PAGE 9

The Dalles Chapter

The Dalles Chapter students have
had a busy Fall sport season. Alex
from Switzerland with Cross Country
and Tim form Belgium with Soccer.
Alessandro from Italy could not be
involved with a Fall sport. Having knee
surgery only a few weeks before his
AFS departure, the doctors wanted
him to have at least three months
healing before sport activity. He plans
to play JV Basketball winter term. Alex
will participate on TDWHS ski team.
November 19-20 the three boys
will travel to Maupin and South Wasco
County High School for an overnight
stay and program with their
International Club. Cassidy Creel, AFS
returnee form Portugal, is planning and
hosting this school club event.
December 3-5 is the annual Festival
of Trees in The Dalles to raise money
for the Celilo Cancer Center. Our
AFS chapter, as a community service,
decorates an International Peace Tree
to be auctioned at his event. Alex,
Tim, Alessandro, and his host sister
Alyssa worked Wednesday, November
11th making peace doves and tiny
origami boxes for candy treats as part
of the tree decoration.
Rymmel Lovell, Chapter Chair

Southeast Portland Cluster News

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS—$20
We are selling Entertainment books again
this year. The books have many 2 for 1
dining coupons. Profit from the books will
go towards paying for a trip to Seattle in the
spring.
There are coupons for Regal Theatres, a
FREE admission coupon to use on your
birthday; 2-for-1 dining coupons for Sam’s
Monarch Hotel, The London Grill, Still Creek
Inn in Rhododendron, The Bush Garden, and
many more. There are also 2-for-1 coupons
for Mt. Hood Skibowl, and car wash
establishments. There are four $5 coupons
for use at Safeway. Once you register your
book, you can get online and print more
coupons.
Order your book today by calling Bernice
Schuchardt (503) 775-4161; or email her at
bmschuch@aol.com. Books cost $20 and
checks should be made out to AFS. Bernice
will deliver your book or they may be picked
up at the Southeast Christmas Party.
THE SOUTHEAST CLUSTER
SEATTLE TRIP
For the past few years I have been taking
my southeast cluster kids to Seattle on the
train in the spring. We leave on a Saturday
morning around 8 a.m., arrive around noon,
check into our hotel and then walk to the
Space Needle or do whatever the kids want
to do. On Sunday morning we usually visit
Pike’s Market, go to the Oriental Market
near the train station, and then board the
train around 5:30.
At this time I plan to offer the trip to my
Southeast Cluster students first then it will
be open to anyone who wants to go. I will
reserve three rooms that sleep 4 people (2
to a bed). There will be a $10 deposit to
hold a spot on the trip for you. The deadline
for reserving a spot will be December 15th.
Make checks out to AFS and mail to Bernice
Schuchardt, 4806 SE Long, Portland, OR
97206
The date: I am looking at the last
weekend in March or first or second
weekend in April. I will select a date within
the next two weeks and let everyone know.
I will post on the AFSCP website calendar.
If we have three rooms I will need three
chaperones. At this time, Boerge Pederson
will be my chaperone for the boys and so will
probably need two women for the girls. If
you are interested, let me know.
THE FIRST MEETING
The first meeting of the Southeast Cluster
was held Sunday, Nov. 1, at the home of
Michael Rowell and Yvonne Brown,
Luis' (Chile) host family. Luis gave a video
presentation about his country. We had a
nice turn-out, Britney (Thailand) with host
dad Ron, Jahan with her new host mom,
Sandra; Serdar (Turkmenistan) and host
mom Theresa and host dad Boerge; Luis'
mom and dad and host brothers, and I
and Gianmarco (Italy).. Michele Vixathep, the
new cluster leader for Gresham, Barlow, and
Sandy, brought Claudia and Guilia (Italy). We
had some tasty potluck dishes, and when we
were short on desserts, Luis' host dad
Michael sacrificed his pumpkin
pies. Information on upcoming activities and
fundraising was shared with the group. We
reminded them about the Christmas Party on
Dec. 5 and Mark Gardner and Ron Combs
explained what a "white elephant" gift
is. We may have a small get-together during
the Christmas holidays. Everyone was asked
to show up and help with grapefruit
unloading.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GIANMARCO—
ITALY
Gianmarco celebrated his 17th birthday on
Saturday night November 7. His birthday
was really on November 4, but since it was a
weekday the celebration took place on
Saturday. Host mom Bernice was not present
because of a previous commitment, so
substitute host family, the Roddy's, helped
organize the party at Mt. Scott pool and pizza
at Round Table. Host mom Bernice ordered
his special cake--chocolate with whipping
cream frosting and filling.....AND....his
photo on one end of the cake. About 16 of
his friends from school and AFS helped him
celebrate. A special thanks to Mark Roddy,
who transported kids from the pool to the
pizza parlor and then delivered them to their
homes; and thanks to Mindy Roddy, who
took care of the decorations and organization
of the party.
Bernice Schuchardt, Southeast Portland
Cluster Chair
 Straight Talk for AFS Brothers & Sisters
PAGE 10

As a host been meaningful to me because of annoyances, misunderstandings,

brother or
sister you play
an important
role in the
experience of
the AFS
student who
shares your
family’s life for
a semester or
a year.
Sharing
your home
Host Siblings at with another student is an
Camp Adams adventure with the potential for
your own personal growth, the
chance to make a friend for life in
another country, and to have a lot
of fun. Although there are no
quarantines that everything will go
smoothly and without problems,
there are some things you can do
to make sure you and your new
brother or sister have every
“Think about your opportunity to make the most of
this experience. By trying to
holidays and understand another person’s
position or method of action, you
special occasions are beginning to understand more
about others and yourself. Here
and try to
are some tips:
incorporate some
Be Yourself
part of his/her
Be a Brother or Sister
culture into those “Show the student the ropes. It
is actually quite frightening to not
times. Plan know anyone...Take them places,
spend time together with him and
ahead, coordinate your parents, but also give the
exchange student his quiet time and
things with his/her privacy.”
Kyle from South Africa
family to make “I’ve learned a lot about the way
other people act and live. My
his/her birthday hardest adjustment was having
someone else get all the attention
special.” AFS around the house. But I’ve learned a
lot about living with people other
Switzerland than my family and I’ve really
enjoyed having a sister.”
Paul, host brother in Kansas
Be a Friend
“Through Janet I have built new
friendships with people she has come
to know and she has made friends
with people whom I know. I have
enjoyed her company, her funny
British accent, her quiet times, and
her not-so-quiet times. It has all
our friendship.”
Carol, host sister in Iowa
Be a Guide
“Be open to the exchange
student. Try to understand that it is
hard to get used to other customs.
The need help in understanding how
everything works here.”
Federica from Italy
“Remember that they are 1000’s
of miles away, in a totally new
environment, and may not always be
up to doing some things. You might
need to encourage them.”
Caitlin, host sister in New York
Be a Language Teacher
“Spend some time helping your
exchange student learn English.”
Yu from Japan
We all like for others to listen
to us as we try to communicate; it
is only polite to give the AFS
Student the opportunity to ask
questions and try out his or her
new language. Correct only the
most important things at first,
don’t worry about good grammar
or complete sentences as much as
just encouraging the student to
talk and look for words to
express feelings or needs. In the
process, you might learn some of
his or her language. The thought
of learning an entirely new
language can be frightening
(imagine trying to learn yourself!),
so give the student a little praise
now and then. It will work
wonders.
Relationships and Rewards
There is no formula for your
relationship with your AFS
Brother or Sister—each
interaction between two people is
special. It’s often a matter of
chemistry; the mixture of
temperaments, personalities,
interests, environment, as well as
cultural differences. A willingness
to see another point of view, to
compromise, and overcome
minor irritations will help
establish good communication.
Closeness, sharing, fun, and
fellowship are among the many
possibilities in your AFS
relationship, just as there are
differences of opinion, petty
hurt feelings, and competitiveness.
Sometimes your expectations of
friendship are fulfilled and
sometimes they may not be, but
accepting and respecting each
other’s individuality will be a
tremendous learning experience.
Making Your Own
Adjustments
During your AFS experience, it
is natural for you or your host
sibling to want to speak frankly
with someone outside the home
who understands AFS and the
unique challenges that accompany
the hosting experience. AFS
Volunteers can provide an
objective and informed point of
view, and they are willing to listen
and help both you and your
participant. To this end, each
participant and host family is
assigned a local volunteer or
“liaison.” Throughout the
exchange , your AFS Liaison will
initiate separate contact with you
and your host sibling each month.
It is important to remember
however, that you needn’t wait
for your liaison to contact you. In
fact, we urge you to ask for
assistance at anytime, before
difficulties and misunderstandings
become too serious to be
resolved. In any cases, small but
persistent problems can be
prevented from undermining an
entire relationship if an AFS
Volunteer talks separately with
the participant and family.
Mediation by a neutral third party
often helps each side to better
understand the other’s point of
view. And that is at the heart of
the AFS mission.
Gaining a New Perspective
The AFS experience gives you
an opportunity for a new
perspective on values, problems,
and goals. You may gain new
insights into your way of living or
into the everyday world. As a
host brother or sister, you can
have al of this around you—you
do not have to leave home in
order to have an AFS adventure in
sharing, learning, and fun.
 Area Team
Chair PAGE 11
James Spears
Chair-Elect
OPEN
The Calendar 2009—2010
Treasurer
Tom Hilleary
DEC CHRISTMAS CANDY SALE—Fundraiser—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or
Hosting Co-coordinators r1p2combs3@aol.com
OPEN
Sending Coordinator DEC 5 GRAPEFRUIT PICK UP—8 AM to Noon at Jackson Middle School—Contact Ron
Emily Leis Combs (503) 314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Orientation Coordinator
Ron Combs DEC 5 EASTSIDE PORTLAND CLUSTER CHRISTMAS PARTY—6 PM to 10 PM—
Support Coordinators
Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Bernie Gerhardt
Andrea Rapp DEC 19 YAMHILL COUNTY CHAPTER HOLIDAY PARTY—Contact Tami or James
Spears (503) 883-9023 or tami@spearsintl.com
Volunteer Coordinator
Sally Ann Wells
JAN 2010 VALENTINE’S CANDY SALE—Fundraiser—Contact Ron Combs
Liaison Coordinator (503) 314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Andrea Rapp (interim)
Returnee Coordinator JAN 30 MID-YEAR ORIENTATION—REQUIRED EVENT— Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-
Eric Sussman 5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Communications
Coordinator JAN 31 SKI TRIP—OPTIONAL EVENT—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or
Tami Spears r1p2combs3@aol.com
Website
James Spears FEB EASTER CANDY SALE BEGINS— Fundraiser—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-
5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
CHAPTER/CLUSTER
COORDINATORS
APRIL 16-17 THE COLUMBIA GORGE TRIP—OPTIONAL EVENT—$10 fee 25 maximum at-
Beaverton tendees—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Stacey Mills
Columbia Gorge MAY 1-3 ASHLAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL TRIP—OPTIONAL EVENT— Contact Ron
Rymmel Lovell Combs (503) 314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Hillsboro/Forest Grove/Banks
Jim & Erin Linhares MAY 15 PRE-RETURN ORIENTATION—REQUIRED EVENT— Contact Ron Combs (503)
314-5243 or r1p2combs3@aol.com
Lake Oswego
Lorie James
MAY 30 DAY AT THE ZOO—Contact Jeff Larson
North Clackamas
Maggie Frieske
JUNE END OF STAY PICNIC EVENT—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or
North/Northeast r1p2combs3@aol.com
Chris Cradler
Portland West JUNE 12 GRAND FLORAL PARADE—Contact Ron Combs (503) 314-5243 or
Sally Ann Wells r1p2combs3@aol.com
Southeast/Gresham/Sandy
Bernice Schuchardt JUNE 27 DEPARTURE DAY
Tigard/Tualatin
Andrea Johnson
Tillamook/Oregon Coast
Sue Cudd Global Quiz...
Wilsonville 1. In what city is the world’s business, expect to be 8. The indigenous people in
Michelle Labrie-Ripple tallest man-made structure? critiqued and do not expect the Far West of China are
Yamhill County 2. On what continent is the to be complimented on closest, culturally, to people
Tami & James Spears world’s largest shopping their work. living in what other place?
Camas/Washougal mall? 6. Which country had the Thailand, Alaska, Turkey, or
Ruth Ladage 3. What country has the most internet users in 2008? Beijing
Longview/Kelso/Toledo largest Muslim population? Japan, China, United 9. What is the official
Debbie Erickson Saudi Arabia, United States, States, or India language of Brazil?
Vancouver/Battle Ground Indonesia, or China 7. What is the official 10. True or False: You should
Bernie Gerhardt 4. True or False: All Arabs are language in Zimbabwe? take chocolate to a Finnish
YES/FLEX Student Muslims. Shona, Matabele, Swahili, hostess that first time you
Coordinators 5. True or False: French English or Portuguese visit her home.
Maggie Frieske people, in school and
Rustam Kocher
Rymmel Lovell
Visiting Teacher
Coordinators
Jerrie Nelson 10. True English 7. False 4. Dubai
Sally Ann Wells 9. Portuguese China 6. Indonesia 3. the Burj Dubai in
8. Turkey True 5. Asia 2. As of January 2009, it’s 1.
AFS
COLUMBIA
PACIFIC
Tami Spears
1025 NE Irvine St.
McMinnville, OR 97128

Want Souvenir/Scrapbook? E-Mail: Ron Combs r1p2combs3@aol.com

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