The Citizen, 1991-08-07, Page 15Family learns from Norwegian guest
United Church news
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7,1991. PAGE 15.
I SCOUTS CANADA
Greeters at Londesboro United
Church on Sunday, August 4 were
Jack and Helen Lee. they were also
the ushers. The sermon topic was
“Inside a new Woman's Day”.
Part of the family
much homesickness. The MacGre
gor girls, Katrina and Elizabeth,
have the same first names as Jan's
two sisters.
It's obvious that Jan has become
very much a part of the MacGregor
family, the mutual respect and
affection is evident. "I have
enjoyed having Jan stay here very,
very much," said Don. "I have
learned a lot more from him than
I've been able to teach him. They
call them students when they come
but I really think maybe we’re the
students. I have learned so much
about Norway, a land we'll proba
bly never see. I would recommend
this experience to anyone."
Jan admits, though he is glad that
he will soon be going home, he
would like to come back to Canada
some time in the future. "If he does
he knows he always has a place to
stay here," said Kittie.
"People here are very friendly.
They are so easy to speak to and
ready to take time to help and
speak to someone who is not from
their country. This has been a great
experience, the country is great and
as Maarten (a Dutch youth Jan met
through the exchange) would say, 'I
love it!'," Jan says laughing. "It has,
I think, helped me to grow up."
When Jan Farstad, a Lions International Youth Exchange
delegate,seated, goes home to Norway on August 13 it is
with the knowledge that if he ever returns to Canada he
has a place to stay with his host family. Don and Kittie
MacGregor, and daughters Katrina, left, and Elizabeth, of
RR1, Londesboro, have thoroughly enjoyed having Jan as
a guest in their home and said they would recommend
being part of an exchange
When Lions exchange youth Jan
Farstad of Norway returns to his
home on August 13, it will be with
fond memories of his host family
and other people he has met, in
addition to an appreciation of the
country he has learned about.
The 17-year-old came to stay
with Don and Kittie MacGregor
and daughters of RR1, Londesboro
on July 2. His first impression was
that it was much hotter, bigger and
flatter by comparison to Norway.
Coming from a farm community,
he is used to wide, open spaces, but
found the Huron County farms to
be spread out more. "Here the
farms are bigger, just like the ones
we see in the movies," he said.
"It was more expensive than I
thought it was going to be, but
except for that and the scenery it is
similar to Norway."
For one week, Jan and some 25
other Lions exchange youths, con
gregated at the Lions International
Youth Exchange "Charlie Shaw"
Camp at Pike Lake. During their
stay they visited Niagara Falls,
Canada's Wonderland, the
program to anyone.
Orangeville race track and Water
loo's Farmer's Market.
There is seldom a problem with
language since, like Jan, many of
the youths have studied English
and other languages for many years
so there can always be a common
one found to open the doors of
communication. Jan himself is flu
ent in English, having studied it for
eight years.
"It was great, to see so many peo
ple from a lot of different countries
mixing together," said Jan, who
made several new friends, he
hopes to correspond with.
With the MacGregors he has
been to London and they hope to
visit the States, the Science Centre
and the CN Tower.
Hosting an exchange student has
been a first-time experience for the
MacGregor family and a very plea
surable one. "It's been great," said
Kittie. "I would do it again in an
instant."
There was a unique coincidence
in their selection as Jan's host fami
ly that Kittie said she thought
would keep him from suffering
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