8/21/2007 - Exchange program expands SouthCoast's cultural reach

by Don Cuddy
Staff Writer
Standard Times

MARION — Two European students and a teacher from China will spend the school year on SouthCoast as part of a cultural exchange program sponsored by AFS Intercultural Programs.

Ville Sutinen from Lohja in Finland signed up for the program prompted by his desire to experience America firsthand.

Exposure to American culture in Finland is widespread, said Mr. Ville, using excellent English. “It comes from watching television. I watch South Park and The Simpsons. They are in English with Finnish subtitles,” he said.

Just days after arriving at the Mattapoisett home of host family Mike and Eileen Wall came his first memorable encounter with local culture.

“I saw the frog races at the Rochester Fair,” the 17-year-old said. “I thought that was something that existed only in comic books or old movies.”

Mr. Wall, who has a daughter working in Switzerland, said he was pleased to host Mr. Ville during his stay.

“The world is a lot smaller now and the experiences these kids have going overseas, you can’t really put a price on that,” he said.

AFS had its beginnings during World War I, when A. Piatt Andrew organized the American Field Service whose mission was to transport wounded French soldiers. After the war, AFS Fellowships in French Universities, which exchanged students between France and the United States, was established. More than 50 countries now participate in the program.

“The mission of AFS addresses peace at the grass roots level, one person at a time, by allowing individuals to meet people from other countries and cultures,” , said Elizabeth Leatham of Marion, chair of the Northeast Regional Council of AFS Intercultural Programs.

“When they leave, they will have a whole new family and a satchel of skills that will endure for a lifetime,” she said.

Barbora Kosudova, 16, from Nitra, Slovakia, is staying with host family Joel and Marie Hartley in Marion.

“We hosted a boy from Mexico several years ago. That was a very positive experience, so we are happy to welcome Barbora to our home,” Ms. Hartley said.

Making her first visit to the United States, Barbora said one thing stood out immediately.

“In my town, I can walk to school or to the shops, but here you have to go everywhere in a car,” she said.

The AFS program is not confined exclusively to student exchanges. Rui Yu is a teacher from Shijiazhuang, China, a city two hours to the south of Beijing. Ms. Yu will spend the school year working with ORR and Tabor Academy..

Coming to the U.S. represented a tremendous opportunity, despite leaving her husband and 16-year-old daughter, Ms. Yu said.

“I will miss them, of course, but I feel very excited about coming to this country because American people are so friendly,” Ms. Yu said. “I like it here because it’s so quiet. I love the birds and the trees and the sea.”

Ms. Yu is being hosted by Wayne Assing and Terry Allan, a Marion couple who actually met in China and have a son who was born there.

“There is not a great deal of diversity in our community and cultural exposure is so important, especially to cultures that are so different than ours,” Mr. Assing said.