MONROE — Five international exchange students have completed a successful year living with Monroe area families, attending Monroe High School, and experiencing American culture. Anastasia Yacoub (Palestine), hosted by Larry and Mary Kloepping, Liilia Sumkina (Estonia), hosted by Rick and Andrea Waski, Eloïse Maire (France), hosted by Katie Lehto; and Krissi Haumer (Austria), hosted by Mary Jane and John Grenzow were sponsored by the AFS Intercultural Exchange Program. In addition, Júlia Gavaldà Egea (Spain), hosted by Megan and Brian Jordan, came with the CIEE High School Exchange Program.
The students decided to go on an exchange program for various reasons. Júlia, Eloïse, and Anastasia wanted to improve their English, among other reasons. Eloïse arrived with very little English and struggled for the first few months. Still, she found that with time and support from her host family and teachers, she became very comfortable with the language, a skill that will be valuable in France. Other reasons for coming on exchange included learning about another culture and making new American and international friends.
A recipient of the FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) government-sponsored scholarship, Liilia Sumkina wanted to teach people about Estonia. She and Anastasia Yacoub, a YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study) scholarship recipient, were the first students to come to Monroe from Estonia and Palestine.
“I wanted to experience a new culture, get out of my comfort zone, and try something new. I wanted to grow a little bit as a person and make new friends and connections from all over the world,” Krissi Haumer said.
Because of extensive exposure to the United States through movies, TV shows, and the media, the students’ first impression of Monroe was that they were living in a dream. It took a while to settle into everyday life, and sometimes they still can’t believe they are really here.
School life has been a vital part of the girls’ experience. They enjoyed choosing elective classes, something they can’t do in their native countries where, once a student chooses an area of study, their classes are determined for them. When they return to their home countries, Krissi, Liilia, and Júlia will write an in-depth research paper as a graduation requirement. The three students have decided to compare the educational systems of the United States to their home country. They have found that American education focuses on hands-on experiences. Júlia has come away from her Films class with a new way of watching movies, while Liilia will never forget what she has learned in anatomy class.
In addition, the students were impressed by the Monroe High School teachers’ caring attitude toward their students. In other countries, teachers sometimes deliver the instruction in a lecture style, and it’s up to the students to master the material. In the United States, teachers want their students to succeed and even reach out if they see a student struggling personally.
Sports are an important part of American schools, while students in other countries must join private sports clubs apart from their schooling. In Monroe, Eloïse and Krissi played tennis in the fall, Liilia joined the cross-country team, and Júlia and Anastasia played volleyball. Krissi and Anastasia joined the basketball team in the winter, and Liilia was on the competitive Cheer Squad. Krissi’s friends convinced her to try basketball even though she had never played in Austria. As a result, she learned new skills and played on the JV and varsity teams. Currently, Anastasia and Júlia are playing soccer, and Krissi, Eloïse, and Liilia are on the track and field team.
Although Monroe High School did not sponsor the AFS International Exchange Club this year, the five students joined the Junior Optimist Club, where they made new friends and participated in community service projects. Júlia also participated in Theater Crew, GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), E 4 E (Equity for Everyone), and she qualified for the state competition in Forensics.
Student exchange is a life-changing experience. This year, the students became more independent and responsible. They developed confidence and leadership skills by presenting to community organizations and their peers. Although host families provided housing and meals and included the students in their family activities, the students brought their own spending money. Budgeting their expenses was a new challenge for them. They couldn’t just ask their host parents for money when they wanted to go out with friends or buy new clothes. The students will return to their home countries with a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, leadership skills, and a desire to promote international relations and intercultural understanding.
The students’ favorite memories of this year include Homecoming and other experiences. Júlia, Liilia, and Eloïse traveled to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, Arizona, Ohio, and Washington D.C. with their host families, and Anastasia learned to ski. The time with their teammates is a special memory as they formed lasting friendships on the bus rides to and from the games and on an overnight team lock-in.
Each school year, the School District of Monroe accepts five international exchange students. MHS has welcomed 162 exchange students from 49 countries and sent 48 students abroad to 29 countries since 1963. The AFS Intercultural Exchange Program is recruiting host families to bring students to Monroe for the 2023-24 school year. AFS host families include families with single parents, teenagers, young children, or no children. They choose a student that matches their family’s interests. The students come with their own spending money, full health insurance, and cultural orientations throughout the year. They arrive in August and depart in June of the following year. Local volunteers ensure families and students have the support and tools needed for a positive experience.
The girls offered many reasons when asked why a family should host an exchange student. First, the hosting experience broadens a family’s horizons as they learn about other cultures. The host family shares their experiences and deepens their own family relationships as they understand more about teenagers and different cultures.
Anastasia is double-hosted with Plearn, an exchange student from Thailand, by a family whose adult children no longer live at home. She and Plearn, “made [the host family] take us places they never thought they would go. Because they don’t have kids anymore to do those activities with, [we] got them moving,” Anastasia said.
Júlia added, “Thanks to me being here, [my host family] discovered things in Monroe and outside of Monroe that they didn’t know, and they appreciate Monroe more than before. Because I see things as a person that hasn’t lived here all her life, I have made them look at Monroe in a different way.”
Liilia summed up the advantages of hosting when she declared, “All exchange students are a delight, so they need to host us.”
For more information about hosting with AFS, go to http://www.afsusa.org/ to start an application and see who is coming to our area. In Monroe, contact AFS volunteer Lisa Hendrickson at lisahen3@gmail.com.
