NEWSLETTER 

JUNE 2008 
 
 
 
 
HOSTING/SENDING NEWS
 
HOSTING UPDATE…ASK, ASK, ASK! Enjoying daily family life, meals together, gift you'll give and receive. Most families
and community activities will make a world have no idea how much they'll gain until
Thinking about welcoming an Exchange of difference to a young visitor who is eager they say yes! To learn more, call 1-800-
Student? NOW is the time. Experience the to experience what it's like to live as a AFS-INFO or email afsinfo@afs.org. You
World Without Leaving Home! Ever wonder member of a family, school, and community can also complete a hosting interest form at
what you can do to help change the world? in the U.S. www.afs.org/usa.
Open your home and family to a high
school student from another country and Host families provide a bed and meals, and AFS 'aunts' and 'uncles' are also needed,
help build bridges of intercultural the same guidance and support to students as well as liaisons who volunteer to meet
understanding at a time when the world as they would to their own son or daughter. monthly with host families and their
really needs it. Host families and students receive support students. Call AFS for details.
from local AFS Volunteers.
This year, more than 2,700 young people Sally Ann, Interim Hosting Coordinator
from 50 countries will arrive in the U.S. to Host an AFS Exchange Student and build
study at high schools across the country. bridges of intercultural understanding. It's a
 
COLUMBIA PACIFIC AREA TEAM NEWS
 
THE CHAIR REPORT – Bonnie Richardson‐Kott 
 
This is the time of year that we all prepare to say farewell to our group of students and, for many, this will be the hardest thing to do.

I remember this time last year when we bid farewell to Siyan, our exchange student, who had become part of our family. I think we all just sort of
avoided the subject and pretended a little that it wasn’t going to happen. But the day came when we had our last family dinner together – Siyan was
helping me in the kitchen while the boys (husband included) were interrupting with wrestling on the kitchen floor and being silly. We laughed as usual
while we chopped onions and chicken and we talked about Siyan’s day running around getting things together and visiting with friends. My two sons
kept us distracted with their usual antics of refusing to eat the peas and poking each other under the table. Then we moved on to busying ourselves with
cleaning up and trying to figure out how to cram all that stuff into one big suitcase and at the same time keep it under 40 pounds. Bedtime came next
with delays from the boys and much book reading -- one with me, one with dad, and of course one with Siyan.

And then suddenly, it was the morning of departure day. Even the boys knew that something was different, that things were going to change for our
family. I think the emotional breaking point for me came when Siyan mustered up her courage to hand me a little album, hand made by her with
construction paper, sprinkled with pictures of all of us and filled with quotes and messages and her feelings about having been a part of our family.
From that point on, there was no hiding our sadness and struggle to say goodbye. The reason that we were sad was because Siyan had become part of
our family. Saying goodbye felt like it was an ending of our new family at that very moment. But it wasn’t an end. She is still part of our family and
always will be. We are looking forward to visiting her one day, meeting her family, attending her wedding (she assures me this is in the very distant
future), and welcoming her back for a visit. Siyan is half way around the world and yet, she is and always will be our daughter, sister and friend.

Farewell to our exchange students from this past school year. It isn’t a goodbye; it’s the beginning of a lifetime relationship!

Bonnie Richardson, Columbia Pacific Area Team Chair

 
COLUMBIA PACIFIC WEBMASTER NEWS
PLEASE SEND YOUR PICTURES!!!

Hopefully you have had a chance to take a look at the pictures we have posted on the area team web site at www.AFSCP.com
(in case you wanted to know, that stands for AFS Columbia Pacific). If not, go there now. There might be some pictures of you
that you didn’t know existed. And please send in any pictures you would like posted on the site. You can email them to our
webmaster at webmaster@afscp.com.

KEEP IN TOUCH AFTER DEPARTURE DAY

We have a great resource for keeping in touch after students return home. Visit the Area Team web site, www.afscp.com, to join our social network.
Exchange students can keep in touch with each other and with their host families after they return home. And host families can keep in touch with each
other as well as with eheir exchange students. Current exchange students cannot sign up until after departure day and will receive emailed invitations
after departure if we have their current email address on file. Host families can sign up any time on the web site. Don’t lose touch! Maintain those
lifetime bonds!
James Spears, Columbia Pacific Area Team Webmaster
 AFS/USA NEWS
 

A Message of Appreciation to AFS Host Families 
Nearly 3,000 families in the U.S. are currently sharing their every day lives with AFS Exchange Students. As we celebrate and honor the contributions of
AFS Host Families during Host Family Appreciation Month, I’d like to share a few words with you from a talk that Ambassador Kenton Keith recently
gave at an event presented by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. Ambassador Keith, former U.S. diplomat in Qatar and
member of the Board of Directors for AFS-USA, has devoted much of his professional life as a foreign service officer.

“In the competition for hearts and minds that formed the background of most of my career, America’s most powerful tools were the exchange
programs—the educational and professional exchanges, both private and government sponsored—that exposed foreign audiences to Americans in their
environment. And when that exposure came at the age of high schoolers, it had a way of being truly life-changing. And life-changing not just for the
students who came to America, but also for the families and communities who hosted them. Over the years, I have met dozens of men and women who
had that experience in the United States at a young age. They can’t be fooled about America. They know us, and in some small way they ARE us.

.....As a foreign service officer who dealt in public diplomacy, it was precisely the average American who was our strength—or secret weapon, if you will.
It was…Americans, in their vast diversity, their basic industriousness and generosity of spirit, in their ingrained respect for fairness, who influenced the
thousands of foreigners who came here on exchange programs of every kind. When you accept a foreign student in the community it is an act of citizen
diplomacy.”

On behalf of AFS, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to every family who is currently hosting or has hosted in the
past. Your generosity, kindness, and concern for bringing more understanding into the world is making a World of Difference.

Sincerely,

Margaret Crotty, AFS-USA President

 
COLUMBIA PACIFIC HOSTING/STUDENT NEWS 
 
What the Students have to say…
 
What did the students have to say when they were asked the following questions?

1. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you this year?
2. What is your favorite American food?
3. What was the biggest cultural difference you were surprised to find out about Americans?
4. What is the biggest thing that you had to get used to that is different than in your home country?
5. What has been the most exciting event for you this year?

Olya - Ukraine Isneen – Thailand

1. ? 1. I forgot to bring the house key to school with me and when I got back home
2. Roasted vegetables…yummy! ☺ from school, I had to climb in the house through the window.
3. Everything is big in America: plates of food, cars, 2. Tapioca pudding.
supermarket carts, cups of drinks… 3. Some of the teenagers living in different homes than their parents and most
4. Lots of new people at school who are hard to make close of them want their own life.
friends with. 4. Most of the teenagers have a job and not so many of them plan to go to
5. The fact that I’ve come to the USA and had this wonderful Collage.
experience! 5. Everything I have done.

Mercy - India

1. In December my host family took me to see all the Christmas lights. I was so happy to see them I said the same thing over and over that it is
really cool. The next day my host sister told all her friends and they started teasing me. It was the funniest thing that happened this year.
2. I don’t know about my favorite food but my favorite restaurant is Red Robin!
3. The culture difference for me was the kids here don’t even have to ask their parents if they can go to a certain place. This is not all Americans
but a lot of them.
4. School. School is very different in India.
5. Prom, graduation, and Christmas.

Ben - Austria Danial - Malaysia

1. When we blew up a toilet… 1. I cycled 30 miles on my first week here to Wal-Mart and it turned
2. idk…there is good food? out to be Walgreens.
3. Guys are more open with each other. 2. Meatloaf
4. That you need a ride to go everywhere and that you can’t walk 3. I can’t think of anything…
because everything is too far. 4. Taking less baths.
5. Prom! Maybe Graduation…. 5. Ashland and my track meets and my spring break.
Guillaume - France

1. I was hanging out in Portland with some friends. It was around 10 PM and we were hungry so we went to Wendy’s. It was close but the drive
thru was open. We walked around to the drive thru and tried to talk to the audio call. Unfortunately, in order to activate the audio call, it needs a
certain amount of weight on the pavement. We were only 3 young dudes and we didn’t reach for sure the amount of a car. So we jumped up and
own on the pavement. Then we made one synchronized jump. Finally we could not activate the drive thru. It was quite funny because of the fact
that you can do everything by car in the US but you struggle sometimes when you are just on foot!
2. KFC and Hooters!
3. Americans like to buy and consume but they are still looking for a better deal. They would rather pay less for cheap food and clothing than
buying expensive brand clothes and fancy food.
4. Riding the car all the time because everything is spread out.
5. My trip to L.A. over spring break and going to Universal Studios.

Frank Liguo - China Joanne – Netherlands

1. I went fishing with my American friend in Salmon Creek, but I didn’t get any 1. The cat jumped into the bathtub while I was taking a
fish and broke 4 fishing poles! shower!
2. Barbecue Salmon. 2. Hawaiian potato chip.
3. The relationship between the teachers and students. 3. When Americans say “How are you doing?” they aren’t
4. American people like cheese very much, which I don’t like it at all. really expecting an answer.
5. I gave the presentation to the student’s band who will go to Beijing 4. The relationship between students and teachers.
Olympics for the opening ceremony. That is so exciting! 5. Going to State with concert choir!

Hina - India Irem - Turkey

1. Back in August I was a little scared of my host 1. A guy at school asked me how many camels I am worth!!! Duh??
family’s dogs because not a lot of people have them in 2. Oreos!
India. In the middle of the night I went to the bathroom. 3. They don’t really use public transportation that much.
When I was done, I found 3 dogs and a cat outside the 4. School and friendships
restroom. I was scared to death and didn’t have the 5. My Chemical Romance concert.
guts to walk around them so I slept in the bath tub for 2
hours.
2. Macaroni and Cheese!
Janet - Ghana
3. The way kids treat their parents. Sometimes it is
disrespectful.
1. I was with some friends talking and they thought I lived in a complete jungle
4. The way I handle situations now is better than I used
in Africa. I told them I had an elephant and a giraffe for pets and they totally
to in India. I have learned always to talk about what you
believed me and asked me to send them a monkey when I get back home.
feel is good because keeping things to yourself may
2. Tortilla, burgers and fries!
cause trouble.
3. The high rate of teenage pregnancy, and how they were not embarrassed
5. Being on my own the full year was pretty exciting.
to walk around school with their big tummies.

Chiara - Italy

1. Probably ask for a rubber in my physics class… Sounds weird but in my country we study British English and a rubber is what they call an
eraser. That time I already knew what a rubber was in American English, but I couldn’t resist! I’ll always remember the face of the guy I asked it to,
was just too funny!!!!
2. My favorite American food is probably burritos, yes, I know it is not really an American food, but I ate it the first time here and just loved it!!!
3. There is a total different concept of privacy in the US. I always had all the privacy I wanted in my life and here, in particular, your host family
needs to know everything you do, when you do it, where and whom with.
4. School is much easier here!! And it may be helpful as far as I live in US, but I’m sure I’m going to have a BIG problem when I return home
getting used to actually studying again.
5. That I can mention, probably the show I did at school. Was really fun!! And just like every acting performance I have done before, it was just
great!

Having fun in 2007/2008 ‐ Prom, Sports and more… 

Irem and her Dragon Boat Team… Elisa and her Racquetball
Maxime playing partner after winning the State Frank from China
Lacrosse… Championship!!! playing golf…
 Danial at a Track Meet…

Costanza and her volleyball team…

“We got into the playoffs for the first Suad and her softball team…
time in 8 years!!!”

Guillaume and the Limo…

Guillaume and Anika… Très chic!

Guillaume and Irem…

Prom
2008!

Elisa…

Ben and his friends…

Elisa & OIga…

Ben looking very cool…

Mercy…
Olga… Suad…
 Myy Exchangee Year – Suad, Ghana
 
My Ex
xchange Year

             At the age of sixteen

s I made a decision to leavve my family for one
o year. It was the
t most difficultt
decisioon I have ever ma ade. Leaving hom me for a different country, with diifferent ways of doingd things—
this woouldn’t be easy, but
b I knew I woulld be taking a ste ep ahead in my liife. Experience iss the best
teache er and so I wante ed to experience something differrent in my life by traveling to the United U States as
an excchange student frrom Ghana.
So much is said about being an exchange student, but only when n you experience e it do these
things make sense. It iss definitely not easy, but you do end e up growing and a changing. Ass I was about to
enter thhe boarding gate e of Kotoka Intern national airport in n Ghana for the United States, I watched
w back
and sa aw my family and d friends waving anda saying good dbye. I became sad; I felt really ba ad, like not going g
at all because I would missm them so mu uch. I would misss the food I liked best and I would d miss the
weathe er. I would miss everything
e here because
b things are
a going to be different and there e I realized I
would even miss the th hings I didn’t like.. But then, life is all about challennges and being ablea to overcome e
these challenges
c showws who you reallyy are, what you are a and who you can be. I told myyself, “Others
have being
b able to maake it so you can also make it.”
I arrived in Portland. I was mett by three comple ete strangers wh ho said they were e
my hoost family. At tha
at instant I knew it would take a lo ople you don’t know for one year. I told myself if I am brave as I claim, I should be
ot to live with peo
able to
o live with them like my real familly. As we came to t Hood River, I was w shocked beccause almost eve erything was diffferent, the enviro onment, shops,
housees, food, the peop ple and even the e English accent. Although I spoke English, people found it difficult to understand and a so I didn’t evven feel like
speakking.
I have been inn Hood River for the past nine mo onths and I am really
r proud of myyself for not gettiing into any troub ble. I am now ha appy and used to o
everytthing around; I am m also getting ussed to the cold weather
w because Ghana is very hot. I am glad I ca ame to the United d States. There is i a lot of fun at
school, and I have friends; the people area friendly, and I love my host fa amily. I am conteent with my life here as I am happ py because I didn n’t know things
would turn out like thiss.
I have also ma ade a lot of friends from all around d the world which h is the most excciting part of my exchange.
e I have
e friends from Ja apan, Brazil,
Indoneesia, and Germa any and a lot othe er countries. Reccently I traveled to t Disneyworld which
w was the mo ost amazing trip I have ever gone e to. I know being g
an excchange student gave
g me the oppportunity to go on n such trip. I really had so much fu un. It is an experrience I will neveer forget in my life e.
I know that afteer my experience e I will not be thee same person I used
u to be and my
m family will be proud of me. Remembering this makes me want
mplete my exchan
to com nge experience without
w getting in
nto trouble. I know I will be able to o overcome this challenge becau use that is all life is about. I knoww
my exxperience is going g to form a memorable part of myy life and so I’m working
w to makee it a good memo ory. I also know I would be very sad to say
goodbbye to all my friennds and my host family. This goodbye is different from the one I said before comin ng, because this can be forever. I am proud of
myselff because I’ve be een able to take a step ahead in my life and I am happy to be an exchange studen nt.

Suad,, Ghana

A Spring Breeak in New
w York City – Niklas, G
Germany 
 
Spriing Break in NYC

During g Spring Break, I went on an AFS S trip to New Yorrk City. At first I was
w not sure whe ether to
take thhe trip or not; how
wever, afterward ds I have to acknowledge that it was w totally worth the
nd
moneyy and was the trip of a lifetime. On O March 22 I le eft at night from PDX
P and arrived the
next morning
m at JFK airport at 5. Once at the hotel, I re ecognized familia ar faces; Constannza,
Vivianna and Francesco o from our chapte er also went on thet trip. During th he next 5 days we
w
visitedd many famous attractions
a in this exciting city. Wee visited Central Park, the Statuee of
Libertyy, the Empire Sta ate Building, Timmes Square, a Bro oadway play, the e MET, the NBC
studios, Ground Zero, the AFS office, the t United Nation ns, Chinatown an nd much more. Our
O
group consisted of abo out 60 other AFS Sers from around d the world. It wass an amazing gro oup,
and I am
a still in contacct with some of th he great people I met. Our chape erones, who were e both
very nice
n and young, gave
g us the bigge est amount of fre eedom and free timet possible on the
trip. Evven though I’ve seen
s a lot of placces in my life, this trip was extremmely outstanding. I
have tot strongly recom mmend the Belo/A AFS trips to any other exchange student out there because it will enormously enriich one’s experie
ence in the USA.

s, Germany
Niklas
 
A Trip to A
Ashland an
nd the Shakkespeare FFestival 
 
s seen: The Fu
Plays urther Adventures of Hedda
a Gabler and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
m
Fun was
w had by alll!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 CHINA
 

* A Terrible Tragedy and Loss of Life in China * 

Our hearts go out to everyone involved with the terrible tragedy in China. AFS Columbia Pacific currently is host to 4 teachers and
one student from China. As you can imagine, they have all been dramatically impacted by this devastation. Our teacher Li Li, in
Beaverton, is from the province that was most severely hit by this earthquake. Her family is alright and for that we are very grateful.

Peace
和平
THAILAND
Why not host a Thai Student?...
Why you should consider hosting a Thai student
If you have not had the pleasure of hosting a Thai student,
you really should consider this wonderful opportunity and what it can
bring to you and your family. Since we have been involved with AFS,
my wife and I have gotten to know students from around the world.
We have hosted students from nine different countries, including 2
from Thailand. All of them brought unique differences to our lives;
however, the Thais were special. I feel what sets them apart from the
others is their unconditional love and the kindness they bring with
them. To understand what I mean, you really need to understand their
culture.
In 2005, I had the opportunity to go with AFS to Thailand to
teach English for one semester. I was amazed at how friendly, caring
and honest these people are. From what I observed, Thai people live
their lives as if everyone is a friend or part of the family. They always
went out of their way to show respect and kindness, not just to me, but
to each other. They live in multiple generation households and take
care of each other. Honor and respect are the core value of their lives.
Most Thai families are not rich in conventional terms, however they are
rich in character. They live the ideal of giving someone the shirt off
one’s back. I know, I received said shirt. ☺
Generally speaking, Thai students are very respectful, hard
working, honest, studious and caring. (I say almost all because there
is never an absolute.) They can fit into any family because they adapt
well. Most of them arrive quietly and unnoticed, almost painfully shy
SPONSORED PROGRAMS
because they are used to being seen and not
heard. Since Thai children are raised to
respect elders and are not encouraged to
speak openly with adults, they struggle when
talking to parents and teachers. It's not
because they don't want to, it's more because
they don't want to disturb or inconvenience
the adult. Since I have first-hand experience
with Thai culture and customs, I have a better
understanding of the students’ behavior.
When our first Thai daughter came to talk to
us while we were sitting, she would always kneel next to the chair. It
drove us nuts wondering why she wouldn’t sit on the furniture. Now we
know it’s because in Thai culture children’s heads are to be lower than
the adult’s. How refreshing to be around respectful teenagers!
These students live in a totally different world then most of
us know, so please consider hosting a Thai student and let him/her
enrich your lives as you enlighten theirs. Once you have hosted a Thai
student, you will never want him/her to go home.
If anyone has any questions about Thai students or my
experience with Thai culture, please feel free to contact me.
Bob Prawel,Orientation Coordinator, AFS Carolinas (East),
prawel@yahoo.com

Sponsored Programs Workshop in DC…
 
SPONSORED PROGRAMS WORKSHOP IN WASHINGTON, DC
Some of you who have been around for a while are aware of the YES and FLEX programs (known as Sponsored Programs because they’re
sponsored by the US State Department). Others may not be. YES stands for Youth Exchange and Study and was established after the tragedy of 9/11.
YES brings students from countries throughout the world to the US, particularly those with large Muslim populations. FLEX stands for Future Leaders’
EXchange and was established as a “medium to build future US relations with the countries of the former Soviet Union based upon bridges of personal
friendship and mutual understanding.”
Early in April, I was able to attend the Sponsored Programs Workshop in Washington, DC. I can’t convey what a wonderful time I had during
the workshop. This was my first opportunity to be involved with a national event, and I have to say that the fellowship and excitement drive home what
AFS is all about. Representatives from AFS in many of the Sponsored Program countries (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines,
India, Egypt, Malaysia, and Ghana) were on-hand to talk with us and to give presentations about their countries. I enjoyed getting to know my
roommate, Robert Owusu-Boateng, the YES coordinator with AFS Ghana. I learned a great deal about Ghana during our downtime.
Another exciting activity was our visit to the Senate offices. All attendees visited with the US Senators for their states to do some advocacy for
the Sponsored Programs and for AFS. A group of six of us (including staff from the Portland office and some volunteers from the Pacific Cascades Area
Team) were able to talk to staffers at both Gordon Smith’s and Ron Wyden’s offices. We discussed increased funding for FLEX and YES as well as
increasing the monthly deduction for host families from $50 per month to something more realistic. It was a great experience.

I learned so much, and I had a wonderful time. It was an honor to attend.

James Spears, Treasurer/Webmaster, Columbia-Pacific Area Team

 
CLUSTER‐CHAPTER  NEWS 

SOUTHEAST CLUSTER NEWS – Bernice Schuchardt 
 
SEATTLE TRIP - By Bernice Schuchardt

In April, I took the following kids to Seattle: Niklas back and forth from the hot tub to the
(Germany); Adam (Hungary), Mira (Finland); Marcelo (Paraguay); swimming pool. On Sunday morning
Melody (Thailand); Valentina (Italy), and Karim (Egypt). we took the city bus for free to the
All students were from my cluster except Karim. Lori Larson, train station, checked our luggage
myself, and Solomon Arthur accompanied the group as chaperones. and headed back to Pike Street
We left from Portland on the early train on Saturday morning, Market. Our train left for Portland
arrived in Seattle around noon, and checked into the hotel. We stayed at 5:30 so headed back to the train
at Pike Street Suites, which is a very convenient location. Upon station and on to the Oriental Market
arrival, we walked to the Monorail and spent the afternoon at the music to get something to eat for our trip to Portland. It was a fun weekend
museum. We ended up eating there also as it was cheaper than The with the kids—they were great and am sure everyone had a good time.
Cheesecake Factory. When we returned to the hotel it was “swim The hotel was paid for with funds from selling Entertainment
time.” There was a hot tub outside and also a heated pool. Since it Books. So, remember to buy your Entertainment Book from me. I
snowed on the way to Seattle, we weren’t very excited about should be receiving them in mid summer.
swimming outside. It turned out not so bad…it was just cold going Special thanks to Lori and Solomon for chaperoning.

SE CLUSTER NEWS - By Bernice Schuchardt

Lori and Jeff Larson hosted our April meeting. Adam Timper who will be hosting a girl
(Hungary) put on a very informative presentation and also Valentina from Norway. I need everyone’s
(Italy) talked to us about Sardinia. Jeff Larson gave everyone a Zip help in finding host families!
Lock bag filled with Friendship Bread starter. We had a good turn-out Valentina will be leaving
and excellent food as always. on June 2 so she can take some
I am hoping I find enough families to have cluster meetings important tests. If this paper comes
next year. At this time, I have one family—Wendy Jensen and Barb out before that date, call and tell her
goodbye.

FAREWELL, SOLOMON

As most of you know, Solomon Arthur from Ghana lived with me since last June. The week before he left, some of the kids in my cluster along
with Sally Ann and the Larsons got together for a little farewell party for him at Pietro’s Pizza in Milwaukie. Solomon was like a big brother to all of them.
Solomon is home now preparing to start grad school in September.
 
A Very Special “Thank You” – By Bernice Schuchardt

Wednesday, June 27, 1979, was a very sad day for me and
my family…it was Departure Day for Daniela Timon (Italy) our first AFS
student. I always got up around 6 a.m. to go running. My routine was
to grab the Oregonian off the front porch so I could read it when I
returned from my run. The paper wasn’t there!. But, it was on the
dining room table along with a “thank you” card and a message written
across the top of the paper: “Good Morning, Mom! See, I was up
before you!! Have a nice day! Daniela” The card and the message on
the newspaper is in a “Daniela Scrapbook.”
Daniela was our first student, and that day as she was
boarding a bus, I volunteered for the first time with AFS and I am still a
News from the Columbia Gorge Chapter
Celilo Salmon Festival
volunteer. My husband, Lawton, and I visited the Timon family many
times; we attended Daniela and her sister’s weddings, and she and her
family have visited us. My son, Rick, spends time with her family a
couple times a year, and when my husband died in 2000, Daniela’s
father told him that he would always have a father as long as he was
alive.
Students, Departure Day is coming up soon. See if you can
find a special way to thank your families. It doesn’t have to be
something fancy, it could even be a few words on the morning
newspaper.

The Columbia Gorge Chapter students attended the Celilo Salmon Festival, April 12 and 13. On Saturday
they watched drumming and dance competition in all age catagories given by Native Americans from several
different visiting tribes. The students got to participate in some group dances encouraged between competition
classes. They were given Indian Fry Bread Tacos as a gift before departing. On Sunday after the religious
ceremony in the Long House, the public was invited to share the feast of wild roots, deer meat, salmon, and
fruits. Please see the individual accounts written by Suad Rashid and Hina Saifi.
CELILO POW-WOW REPORT by Suad, from Ghana

I went to the Celilio village which is near the Dalles to see their salmon feast which they celebrate every year. The village has Native Americans and they
feast every year to thank the lord for the food he has given them throughout the year. We went down to celilio on Saturday and watched the pow-wow.
They had a dancing contest from the young children to the old. They wore their native costumes, sang in their tribal language we watched their grand
parade. I thought it was really fun and we even got to dance. They played a song and we were also invited to dance.
On Sunday we went for the salmon feast where they had a lot of salmon and their native food to share. They cooked the salmon and they also had
the meat of deer, some roots and their native food for everybody to taste. After everybody finished eating everybody went round the long house and
there was a ceremony.
The most interesting part to me was when the feather of an eagle fell from someone and they had to go through a whole ceremony just to pick up
that feather because they consider the eagle a significant symbol in their lives. I liked their drumming and their dancing and the costumes. It was really
fun to experience the Native American culture.

Celilo POW-WOW Festival by Hina, from India

The world is so big and diverse that each and every second you see some thing real different from your culture that you have never experience. I think
that is what an exchange program is about to see to learn and to experience the diversity of the world.

To experience this diversity we went to an Native American festival. At the first I had lots of question in my mind jumping up and down. But when we
went there it was such an honor to be there. They were so graceful as well as friendly they made us feel like the part of the program. I saw people
dancing there. And the incredible dresses they were wearing. Children, adults, everybody was unique and the way they represented their culture was
unique in there own different way. I couldn't understand what they were singing. But i like the drumming part, as well as the different style of dancing.
The amazing thing was the feather prayer it really amazed me.

And the next day we had Salmon, deer meat, some kind of roots and other good things to eat. In the end they had an ending ceremony with the
special kind of prayer. Than they gave us the calendar of this year which was really nice of them. Over all we had learnt a lot and enjoyed a lot.

The Spring Dessert

Our annual Spring dessert was held May 7th and attended by over 50 AFS families and friends. This
was an early farewell for Olga from Ukraine and a "thank you" presentation opportunity for all our host
families and liaisons. Each student presented their host parents with a Peace Rose and each liaison
received an Azalea. Each student received an AFS mug. Permanent markers were available so the
mugs could be autographed as a keepsake. Many foreign desserts were shared as a treat for all to
enjoy. For the program the five students hosted in the Columbia Gorge area gave their home country
presentation. The evening sparkled with AFS smiles as well as a few tears. That is how AFS
connections touch the heart.

Rymmel Lovell, Columbia Gorge Chapter Coordinator, The Dalles, Oregon

 
Some Great Ideas ‐‐ Successful Fundraisers Used by AFSers and AFS Area Teams…
Want some creative ideas on how to raise money for your AFS experience or an area scholarship? Check out the list below and choose the fundraisers
that will work best for you or your team!

Email Newsletter
Sell subscriptions to a personal newsletter about your experience while you are away. Decide how often you can write the newsletter- one every one or
two weeks or once a month. Talk to people in person or send out an email explaining what you want to do. Have them donate $25- $50 per
subscription. Send out the newsletter when you say you will. Make them interesting and appropriate.
Time required: one hour per newsletter
Amount you expect to raise: $500- $3,000

Corporate Support
Ask local businesses and companies to support your efforts to participate in AFS. Find people or businesses to sponsor you and match every dollar you
raise up to a certain amount ($100, $500, $1000, etc.). Give the business owner the page about your program and the financial need you have. Send
them a thank you note after receiving their donation. Have your sponsors talk to their company or corporation about employee matching funds
programs. Tell your prospective sponsors how they can make their donation twice as effective with a "Matching fund."
Items needed: Compose a one page sheet with a little about yourself and your AFS program
Time required: 1 day
Amount you can expect to raise: $ 400 - $ 2500

Plane Ticket Raffle

Ask a family member or friend of the family who travels a lot to donate frequent flyer miles for a domestic roundtrip airplane ticket. Create raffle rickets.
Email friends and family explaining why you are doing the raffle and how the winner can redeem the ticket. Have them donate $25- $50 per ticket
Time required: 4 hours
Amount you expect to raise: $1000- $3,000

Have a Garage Sale

Gather and organize your family and friend’s unwanted items. Enlist friends and family to help organize your items. Advertise the sale, make sure people
know that this is a benefit garage sale. Have a jar for donations.
Time required: 4 days
Amount you expect to raise: $500- $3,000
 2008//2009 Colu
umbia Pacific Community Placeed Studentts. 
2008 Coluumbia Pacific c Community y Placed Students.
T
This is a sample of available students
s. If you are interested in
n Family placcing any of th
hese students, please
contact Sally
S Ann Weells to determ
mine if they are available
e. (503) 452-1868

H Tiantian frrom China

He,
Shhe loves to read annd listen to all kind
ds of music. Has played
p piano for 7 years
y and loves sinnging. Movies, tennnis and skiing aree some
off her favorite activvities.
Eaasy going and nicee. Enjoys making other
o people happyy. Excellent studennt and math is her favorite subject. Confident,
C smart annd
haardworking describbe her also. Involv ved with school acctivities. Adaptablee, honest and creattive is how others describe her.
Livves with mom & daad. An only child but very close to her h relatives, especcially her cousins. 6 years of Englishh. Wants to attend
uniiversity. Dream is to travel around th he world. Excited to
t experience a new culture, share heers & make new friends.
fr

Chonlawitt from Thailan

nd
Chonlawit enjnjoys choir & "MCC" duties; he swimss, dances and playys badminton regullarly. He especiallyy likes learning annd to do
well in school. He considers himmself to be persisttent, reliable; a leader (class presidennt several years!)
Chonlawit's teacher characterizzes him as "exceptiional student" and is impressed by his h enthusiasm andd leadership skills. A strong
student; kind and well-liked by students and teachhers. Parents say he h is liked by all thhe relatives; reasonnable & kind.
Chonlawit is a school leader and works
w on many soccial justice activitiies such as anti-druug, energy conservvation & environmment; media-
awareness camp paigns and radio brroadcasting. Intereested in languages;; may want to be an a ambassador andd teacher.

M from Japaan
Moe
Thhree things she lovves to do: 1) Musicc (sing, play guitarr, and listen to muusic); 2) fashion (liikes looking at clothes and cute stufffs); 3)
fooreign languages (llearning, listening and learning to prronounce).
Faamily describes heer as honest & frien ndly; friends say she
s is merry & cheeerful; teacher sayss she has a gentle, calm, decent natuure &
haas an ambitious sppirit. Has put seriou
us efforts to studyiing English. Takess part in club activvities & school eveents.
Waants to be an editorr or a video jockey y. Lives with parennts and younger sisster. Hopes to becoome a woman whoo demonstrates intternational
leaddership.

Frederik from
f Germany (Loch familyy is working with
w Rowing Club)
C
Fred LOVES rowing! He comppetes and wins at thhe national level. Although
A practice takes much of his time he also enjoyys a dancing
me with family. He and his father haave remodeled theiir house and he enj
school and tim njoys being the fammily lumberjack.
An ambitiouss student, Fred is described
d as helpfuul, friendly and connsiderate. He belieeves that he has thee ability to listen to
t people and
offer help wh
henever needed. Thhe close knit familly works together in i an active life.
Fred understandds that he will not have
h the opportuniity to continue his rowing career butt considers it a smaall price to pay forr the benefits of
an AFS year. Hee thinks about a caareer in criminal innvestigation.

P
Pimchanok “M
Maggie” from Thailand
T
Religion is importannt to her. Loves sp
R pending Sunday mornings
m at Catholiic Church. Likes siinging, literature, reading,
r writing annd music.
H dreamed of travveling the world an
Has nd writing a book..
Teeacher says she is a humble person and
a is eager, willinng and capable to adjust
a to a new culture. Highly motiivated. Mild asthm ma,
assymptomatic for seeveral years. Has mild
m allergies; uses anti-histamines sometimes.
s
Preefers placement wiith a close family with
w warm relationnship, and kind. Has a passion for learning English. WouldW like to live with
w a
Cattholic family. Livees w/mom, dad & brother.
b

Feroz from
m India YES Program
P
Feroz loves th he outdoors; otherr interests are cars, bikes, and crickett. In the 2005 floodds, he was chosen as one of the voluunteers to go
and help.
He loves to hike, travel and seee new places. Aboove average in his project
p work and co-curricular
c activities. He's sincere,, and is
known for hiss punctuality. Getss along well with classmates.
c
Feroz’s Engliish is very good. He
H enjoys school annd a high emphasiis is placed on academics. He is a goood student.
Feroz lives with mother, father and sister. He has goood relationship with all the family and a relates well to young and older, alike. His
religious affiliation is Zoroastrian Parsee; practices occasionally.
o

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M
Marte from Norway
N
Marte's special hobbby is orienteering
M g. At school she ennjoys math, drama and art. Other inteerests are a Christiian youth group annd an
i
international childrren's group.
M
Marte is reliable, organized
o and goall-oriented. Her moother says that she is very good with her 4-year-old sister and takes greatt care
a responsibility for her.
and
AF FS Norway says thhat Marte would benefit
b from an acttive environment and
a a host family whow enjoys doing things
t together. Beecause of
heer love of math, Marte
M says that she would
w like to becoome an engineer. Marte
M has a fear off dogs.
 2008/2009 Columbia Pacific Community Placed Students. 
2008 Columbia Pacific Community Placed Students.
This is a sample of available students. If you are interested in Family placing any of these students, please
contact Sally Ann Wells to determine if they are available. (503) 452-1868

Cristhian from Bolivia

Cristhian enjoys riding bikes with friends, as well as playing basketball. He plays the guitar often and very much enjoys learning about
new cultures. Cristhian calls himself affectionate and sociable, a feeling echoed by his parents. He works very hard at school and is
described by his teachers as eager to learn, conscientious and of high moral character. He is extroverted and disciplined. He attends
Catholic Church regularly and can live with any pets. Cristhian lives in Bolivia with his mother, father, and little sister. His family is
very close-knit. He is interested in engineering and wants to become an engineer in the future.

Tahseen from India – YES -

Tahseen likes to sing, read, play badminton, sew, cycle, read comics and watch TV with family. Also likes to play cricket, Kho-Kho. She
was captain of her team and participated in Inter-House badminton tournament.
Says she is "a strong girl and can do anything she is determined to do;" is a friendly girl; optimistic and enthusiastic, and is sometimes
sensitive. Has good relationship with her family.
She's from an Indian Middle class family. Dad is a University teacher and mom is a house-wife. Tahseen is a Muslim and practices
weekly. No dogs indoors. Cannot eat non-Halal meat. Can eat fish, poultry and dairy products. She is a YES student.

Maria from Denmark

Does a lot of funny creative things; i.e. painting, drawing, dancing, singing, workout, badminton, football. Likes to go to movies with
friends or take a walk together. She would describe herself as a "teddy bear."
Says her family would describe her as sweet, sensible, good sense of humor, patience, bright, bookworm, active/busy, positive and
sporty. Friends say she is cute, sweet, a little crazy, cheerful, interesting, always in a good mood.
Lives with mom, dad and younger brother…and dog in little town called Ry, Denmark. Travels with family. Has a good relationship with
family. Says her family means a lot to her. She likes to do something rather than sit in front of computer.

Nutnida “Patty” from Thailand

Patty is a very active student, interested in many things; she likes 'pop' as well as traditional music; and can play the "khim" and Thai
flute. She also likes drawing cartoons and still life; surfing and writing on the internet. Taking pictures.
Patty's parents and friends describe her as funny, cheerful, friendly and talented. She is a serious student and school is a priority;
especially likes Art and English. She loves to sing karaoke with her friends and family; is very close to her mom.
Patty says she owes all to her mom, who is so dear and supports her in all her ventures. Mom is a teacher, Dad is an Engineer and travels
some. She is an only child, but is hosting an AFS sister from Germany this year--with good happiness.

Valentina “Vale” from Italy

Valentina, or Vale as she likes to be called believes strongly in service to the community. She is an active member in Scouts and has
spent time in Africa in service. She likes music "because it makes me dream" and finds time for reading or movies.
A kind and sociable student Vale is described by parents as friendly. Her teacher calls her reliable and eager to improve her English
skills. Sometimes she jumps to wrong conclusions but then steps back to be useful in the new situation.
Vale lives with her parents and older sister in Sardinia where she attends a language school. She is intent upon integrating completely in
our culture and having a positive AFS year.

Kayo from Japan

Is interested in foreign countries and their cultures. She is a member of a Tea Ceremony Club and creates Japanese flower arrangements.
She is very interested in culture sharing and learning to speak English well. Her teacher says she is highly motivated to make this a good
experience. Says she is thoughtful, friendly and funny. Can make friends with anyone and has a large circle of friends that she values very
highly. Has good relationship with her family ...she and younger sister are like friends. She is a non-practicing Buddhist. Lives with
parents and a younger sister in small town of Fukuoka

Dianhong from China

Dianhong has a variety of interests. She enjoys reading and visiting bookstores or watching TV shows about UFOs or history. She is
active in her school programs of singing and acting. Time with family and friends is important for Dianhong.
A lively and intelligent girl, Dianhong "racks her brains" when she encounters problems to solve them. Her teacher says that she is always
ready to learn something new. She defers to her parents and they in turn have given her some freedoms. Dianhong lives with her parents in
Harbin where her father is a professor and her mother is a doctor. She is anxious to improve her English and learn about the American
culture.

Emily from Italy

Emily has a wide variety of interests. She plays piano & guitar, studies dance, enjoys reading & listening to music, and skis. Spends time
playing board games with her family. Loves travel and new places. Nature and animals are favorites of hers. Very close to her family.
Describes their relationship as "beautiful." Helps her mom with housework. Describes herself as full of life, kind, friendly and reliable. A
good student. Attends a language school. Studied French, Spanish and English. Lives with parents and 2 sisters, ages 18 & 13. She lives
in Tuscany in a small town outside of Florence. After university she wants to be a tourist guide in a foreign country or a translator.
Studied in England in July 07 and France in October 07.
   
  The Calendar 2008 ‐ 2009
JUNE  1  7TH ANNUAL AFS DAY AT THE ZOO 
JUNE  7  GRAND FLORAL PARADE 
JUNE 11  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – 7:00 PM, Location TBA 
JUNE 20  BEAVERS BASEBALL GAME – For more Info, contact Ron Combs (503) 777‐8117 
JUNE  22  END OF STAY PICNIC – Oaks Park, 2:00 PM, RSVP to Bernice Schuchard (503) 775‐4161 or Ron Combs 
(503) 777‐8117 
JUNE 29  END OF STAY – Lents Park, Ron Combs (503) 777‐8117 
JULY 20  PICNIC AT OAKS PARK – Host Families are welcome to join The Foresters for a picnic at Oaks Park.  
Potluck for side dishes.  The Foresters will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and soft drinks.  
Ride bracelets are available to purchase for $7 ea.  For more Info email Ron Combs 
r1p2combs3@aol.com  
JULY 26  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – Tillamook, Location and Time TBA 
AUGUST  NO AREA TEAM MEETING IN AUGUST 
AUG 13 ‐ 15  ARRIVALS WEEK 
AUG 16  ARRIVAL ORIENTATION – Camas, WA 
SEPT 11‐12  PENDLETON ROUND‐UP – Ron Combs (503) 777‐8117 
SEPT 13  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – Hood River, Location and Time TBA 
OCT 10,11,12  POST‐ARRIVAL ORIENTATION – CAMP ADAMS – REQUIRED – This is a required event for all AFS 
students.  Camp Adams, near Molalla, OR 
OCT 24  SCREAM AT THE BEACH – Ron Combs (503) 777‐8117 
OCT 25  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – Airport Shilo Inn Restaurant, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
NOV 15  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – Airport Shilo Inn Restaurant, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
DEC  AFS AREA TEAM MEETING – Date, Location and Time TBA 
DEC 6  EAST SIDE CHRISTMAS PARTY – The party will go from 6 to 10 PM, 89th and Division SE Portland, Ron 
Combs (503) 777‐8117 
JAN 24, 2009  MID‐YEAR ORIENTATION – REQUIRED – This is a required event for all AFS students.  Franciscan Earth 
Montessori School, Southeast Portland. 
JAN 24‐25,  SKI TRIP – This is an optional event.  Students will leave after the Mid‐Year Orientation. 
2009 
FEB 23, 2009  WORLD QUEST COMPETITION – Lewis & Clark Campus, Sally Ann Wells (503) 703‐8223 
MAY 2‐4, 2009  ASHLAND SHAKESPEARE TRIP – Ron Combs (503) 777‐8117 
MAY 16, 2009  PRE‐RETURN ORIENTATION – REQUIRED – This is a required event for all AFS students.  Vancouver, 
WA 
JUNE 28, 2009  END OF STAY ORIENTATION – REQUIRED – This is the end of stay.  Lents Park, Portland, OR 
 
 
 
 
FG
Dear Host Families, Liaisons, Volunteers, Returnees, Students going Abroad, and Friends:
 
  Columbia Pacific AFS has recently made the decision to discontinue mailing hard copies of the
  newsletter due to the high costs. The exception is our present students, who will still receive a hard
  copy. This decision went into effect with the March 2008 issue. Future newsletters and earlier
  editions will be available on www.AFSCP.com.
 
  When at that site, go to “View Newsletters”. When viewing the newsletter from this site, you will find
  everything in color, including photos! Enjoy!!!!!
  Peace, 
Tami 
ED
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  
archive, visit the Columbia-Pacific website at  
www.AFSCP.com