HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-16, Page 15Second Section - April 16, 1997
IsyirComputSick?
WE CAN
HELP!
Call
235,2132
All -Inclusive Computers
301 Main St. Exeter
Exchange program fosters intercultural relationships
Above, from left,
Jessica, Katie,
Jackie and Bill
Schutz welcome
Thailand ex-.
change student
Papassara Kun-
vanlee as part of
their fly. Be-
low, Kunvanlee
prepares a Thai
dance for resi-
dents of Queens-
way Nursing and
Retirement Home
in Hensall.
4-H Achievement Night
The Quinton No. 1 441 Club held its annual Achievement Night
April 10. In front, Shannon O'Shea completed 12 4-H projects.
Back row: Lisa Dokter, first club achievement award; Lenny
Vandenberg, 6th club achievement award; and Scott Harlton,
first club achievement award. The club project was 'Milk
Makes It Better.'
By Brenda Burke
. • T -A Reporter
HBNSALL - "I really wanted my kids to •
experience different lifestyles," explained Jackie
Schulz. "Living in Hensall, they're so sheltered."
The Schutz family is hosting 17 -year-old
Papassara Kunvanlee onan 11 -month American
Field Services Interculture Canada exchange from
Thailand.
"People aren't aware of what it's all about," said
Schutz. "It's a very worthwhile thing to do:" •
Although she claims there is an Ontario -wide
shortage of host families for the program, Hensall
seems to be an exception. Susanand Jim Stewart
hosted a 17 -year-old student from Australia last
summer. And Schutz' neighbor, Cindy Reaburn, has .
been involved with exchange students from Costa
Rica, Belgium and Japan. She also held an
orientation workshop in her home for AFS students.
While hosting a student from Costa Rica last year,
she explained "the reason we do this is to let
everyone in your family, know the World is not so
big and everyone's -not so different:..All it does is
enrich your life._"
.Hosting Kunvanlee has certainty enriched the
lives of the Schutz family. Jackie feels Kunvanlee. is.
like a daughter, adding she "kind of fits like a
glove...she's just always smiling." .
"She's good with dishes," added 12 -year-old- Katie
Schutz.
Kunvanlee's exchange trip recently included a
Thailand presentation to residents of Queensway
Nursing and Retirement Home wherp,she �rerformed
a Thai folk dance, displayed.fruits from her country,
and offered maps,.artifacts and the Thai alphabet.
The demonstration was part of a community service
project she.is completing for the school she attends
in Stratford. • ,
Kunvanlee lists many winter memories she'll take
home with her - experiencing her first snowfall,
standi__n,��g$�on the frozen lake in Barrie, trying ,to.ice-
skate. mghlights of her exchange to date also
include taking in Niagara Falls; a local sugar bush
tour and badminton games -at South Huron District
High School. A trip toToronto and playing baseball
may be in the plans before she leaves for home in
July. •
"In Europe, AFS is a household name," said
Schutz, suggesting Kunvanlee may haye been
planning the trip for years. Before her exchange, she.
had seen Canada only on television: Now she plans
to return. •
AFS is set up in more than 30 countries world- ••
wide. Families host for free and are expected to offer
room and boar' :o students as well as provide
outings and items such as birthday presents and
souvenirs. In other words, participants are treated as.
the hosts' own children. •
Students are permitted to work part-time jobs that
don't require social insurance numbers. They are,
however, not allowed to drive vehicles while on
their exchange. This rule, eliminates a source of
accidents and -avoids complications of
coordinating international driving authorization.
Participants -agree to.return home on a.
specified date. .
"AFS cannot facilitate immigration and is:
committed tomaking sure that the students
return home at the end of the exchange," reads an
AFS guide for students and host families.
Students are expected to attend a fall camp as .
well asmid-year and end -of -stay gatherings.
Local committees also organize activities, some of
which are mandatory.
- AFS places importance on school attendance
during its six and 11 -month once-in-a-lifetime .
exchanges for 15 to 19 -year-olds. The program
does not allow the student's parents or friends
from home to visit during the exchange.
"This type of visit is often disturbing for the
student and disruptive for, the host family "•
advises the guide, adding volunteers are
appointed -as counsellors for host families -and
exchange students to ensure participants
experience "not a year of travel and tourism, but
one of immersion in a new. environment."
Although such an immersion is a, time full of
excitement and opportunity, exchange
participants need support and encouragement.
The AFS guide includes a typical cycle of
adjustment a participant may experience.
"Some experts contend that there is a common
adjustment cycle that many intercultural
travellers`experience through involvement in a
new culture...Past experience has shown that
individuals go through several emotional stages
in the course of living in a new or different
culture."
The stages involveanxietyover selection
choices and elation when selected for an
exchange. These emotions are generally followed
by culturalshock, superficial adjustment,
frustration, complete adjustment, anxiety about
returning home, -and readjustment.
During and after the exchange, parents of
students have their own chall p del with.
Feelings of pride,. worry, and of chane in the
child -parent relationship may. exist as well as
excitement upon their return, shock or
disappointment when faced with changes'. in their
child, and satisfaction, concluding the experience
was positive and enriching.
"The AFS experience is comprised of a series of
ups and downs," states the AFS guide, adding -the
main mission of the program is "to promote a
greater understanding between nations and to
contribute togiolaal peace."
• • • •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
•
•
• • •
• • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
TOYOTA'S RED TAG DAYS ARE HERE.
ALL CAMRY MODELS
48%
t
s
NO -LIMIT FINANCING
• 2.2L 133HP 16 -valve DOHC 4 -cylinder engine
• 5 -speed manual transmission • power steering
• driver and passenger side airbags
• full wheel covers
• auto -off headlights
• 4 wheel independent suspension
• deluxe AM/FM stereo cassette
Msao2I,178
COROLLA LEASE
**
mo
48 mos
Freight 8
P.D.E. included
WITH $1,000 DOWN
• air conditioning • automatic transmission
• 16L 100 HP, DOHC 16 -valve engine
• power steering • tinted glass
• intermittent wipers
• side -door impact beams
• colour -keyed bumpers
. • Michelin all -season radials MSRP 17
6,223
Or get no -limit 4.8tfinancing SEE '�ONTARIO
on a wide range of Toyota models. rER�^n
EXETER TOYOTA]
242 MAIN ST. N.
235-2353
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
•
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •