6/12/2007 - Exchange program a ‘valuable experience' for students, families
By KATHERINE CUMMINS
The Fulton Sun
They arrived last August as strangers. They leave this June as family.
For the last 12 months, Kofi Busia of Ghana and Florian Adam of Germany have lived in Fulton, going to school, learning American culture and becoming an integral part of their host families’ lives.
“It’s been great. We definitely feel like we have a third son,” said Kath Mayne, whose family opened its home to Adam, 17, a junior at Fulton High School this past year.
Betty Steinrauf, who – along with husband Louis – took in Busia, said she liked having a teenager in the house again.
“I’ve enjoyed the mild exposure to high school again, and seeing the joy of a young person,” she said.
Adam said he decided to be a foreign exchange student after friends back home raved about their own experiences.
“They told me some great stuff about it,” he said.
Kofi Busia, an exchange student from Ghana sits in his host family’s living room earlier this year. Busia graduated from Fulton High School in May and wanted to come to the U.S. because his older brother is attending college in Wisconsin. (Justin Kelley/Fulton Sun photo)
Busia became involved after his older brother came to the U.S. to go to school.
“My brother is a student at Beloid College in Wisconsin, and he managed to convince my mom to send me here,” he said.
Busia, 18, who graduated from FHS in May, said he has enjoyed educating others about his home.
“People always wonder how different the U.S. is from Africa,” Busia said. “I try to broaden up the continent for them. So long as I am here, I want to clarify anything about Ghana.”
Adam said he most enjoyed the other side of that cultural exchange – experiencing life as part of a typical American family, including travel all over the country to visit various relatives.
“I went bow hunting, fishing, paint ball, snow mobiling, I went to a hockey game,” he said. “I just gained a lot of new experiences – I got to see America from different views.
“When you come over here for a year, you basically live four years because you learn so much.”
Adam and Busia – both here through the American Field Service exchange program – said their favorite form of “cultural exchange” was participating in and supporting high school athletics, which Adam noted do not exist back home.
“I’m not really good, but I like being on the team and love learning about the sports,” said Busia, who played basketball, ran track, and said he loved going to Westminster College games. “I love the way fans come to the team, talk to them, try to inspire them at their games.”
Adam played soccer with host brother Ben Mayne, 16, and also wrestled and played baseball.
“If you do sports you can meet all different people,” Adam said.
Kath Mayne said one of her proudest moments over the past year was when Adam earned a varsity baseball letter for his “valuable contribution to the team,” despite a shaky beginning.
“The coach actually called him in to cut him, and Florian said, ‘I just want to keep coming and learn how to play; you don’t have to play me in games,’” Mayne said.
Busia, who is particularly proud of having graduated from FHS, is trying to get into a U.S. college next year.
“I really enjoyed myself throughout every little experience,” he said. “The best was getting the opportunity to graduate and get my diploma over here – not all students get the opportunity for that.”
Both families said it is going to be hard to say good-bye when the young men leave on June 24 because it will be like losing a member of the family.
“It’s been just like having another sibling,” Ben Mayne said. “I like siblings Š mostly.”
Kath Mayne said Adam’s departure “is going to be a big hole. He’s family.”
“We’re just going to miss Florian,” her husband, Jeff, agreed. “A year is a long time to commit to someone you don’t know, but … it’s worth it.”
Steinrauf, who has been involved with exchange programs since 1987, said she also would encourage other families to host foreign students.
“It’s expanded our world tremendously,” she said. “It’s usually a very rewarding experience.”
Steinrauf said anyone interested in getting involved with AFS should contact Jean Collins at Fulton High School.
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