10/19/2007 - AFS stay fostered lasting ties between Swedish woman and Kewanee family

by Dave Clarke
The Star Courier

KEWANEE — For more than 40 years, Kewanee has been a second home for Swedish native Siw (pronounced “Seeve”) Barkskog Sjodin, Kewanee High School’s American Field Service (AFS) student in 1964-65.

This week she’s making the most recent of several trips to the U.S. over the years to visit the Russ Hughes family, her host family during her stay. The bond developed with her host sister, Pam, siblings Rusty and Debbie and parents Russ and Marilyn has remained strong with Siw coming to America for weddings, birthdays and just for a visit four times. The most recent was two years ago, when she and husband, Bengt, attended the wedding of Rusty’s son, Andrew.

After graduating from KHS in 1965, Siw returned to Sweden, where she became a teacher and later, a principal. For the past 5 1/2 years she has been a school inspector in Stockholm. Bengt is an electrical engineer. They have four grown children and live outside of Stockholm.

Russ Hughes, a retired auto dealer, is serving as host and tour guide for Siw and Bengt, and took them Thursday afternoon to Kewanee High School to meet with superintendent emeritus Jim Golby, who was KHS principal during her year here.

They will be leaving Monday for San Diego, Calif., where host sister Pam and husband Bill Muse now live and to celebrate Pam’s birthday. Pam came an airline stewardess and made four trips to Sweden to visit Siw over the years. Rusty and his family still live in Kewanee. Host mom Marilyn died four years ago.

The family connection has extended to the next generation. Jeff White, son of Debbie (Hughes) White who now lives in Findley, Ohio, recently spent a summer vacation traveling through Europe with Siw and her family.

“We think of Siw as family and she. likewise has always thought the same of us,” said former host brother Rusty. “I don’t know if everyone who hosts an AFS student has that kind of continuiing relationship, but it has certainly been great for us.”

Republished with permission.

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