7/25/2007 - From Amish-land to Kiwi-land

by Alexia Johnston
The Ashburton Guardian

Michelle Peacock is home safe and sound, accent included, after immersing herself in an Amish community.

The former Ashburton College student has spent the past year in Shipshewana, Indiana, as part of an AFS exchange programme.Michelle, who wrote a column in the Ashburton Guardian during her year in the US, has returned with many more tales to tell.She was exposed to a whole new way of life while living in a predominantly Amish community.

Her host family, which consisted of her mother, a bus driver, her father, a deputy sheriff, and three sisters were not Amish. However, 70 per cent of the people who lived in the area were.

“It was different at the start,” she said.

Michelle attended Westview High School, which she graduated from before returning home three weeks ago. She said the Amish children often left school after Junior High so opportunities to interact with them during her stay were limited.When Michelle decided to take part in the exchange programme she narrowed her countries of choice down to the US and a range of countries throughout Europe.

She finally opted for the US to immerse herself in the American way of life.

“We have our ideas on the States, but it’s a little different to what people think.”

Her experience allowed her to look beyond the typical American stereotypes to discover what they were really like.

“The little area I was in, everyone was really friendly.

“The town itself was quite interesting.”

Being able to speak the language also influenced her decision on where she would spend the year.

“Because I could speak English I could get really involved in things because I knew what was going on.”

Visions of Amish horsedrawn carts were still vivid in her memory as Michelle reflected on her most memorable experiences during her year away. But what stuck out the most was the friends she made along the way. Attending the school prom and graduating were also highlights of the year for Michelle. Sport also plays a major role at Westview High.
However, instead of taking up some of America’s most iconic sports, Michelle opted to work in the school’s concession stand during games instead.

“Sport is huge. They always have a packed gymnasium with cheerleaders and mascots. There’s a whole lot of school spirit which I don’t really see here in New Zealand.”

Although Michelle has been home for three weeks she is still adjusting back into the Kiwi way of life.

“One of the first things I noticed when I got back was that the roads were really clean,” she said.

Michelle has not returned to Ashburton College to complete Year 13, which she was in the middle of when she left. Instead she was looking for a job and hoped to attend broadcasting school next year.
July 23 2007