2011-2012 Student Exchange Program launched

WILTON – Western Maine now has local coordinators working to promote “public diplomacy” in this region through the hosting of high school students from 45 countries, including the former Soviet Union and countries with predominantly Muslim populations. Wiltonites David Olson and Paula Widmer have been certified as coordinators by American Councils for International Education, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C., which organizes and facilitates exchange programs funded by the U.S. Dept. of State.

Paula and David seek and vet appropriate host families, who desire to welcome one or two 15-17 year old teens into their homes for a school term. The couple then provides support and guidance to the host family throughout the guest-student’s stay, to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience for all involved.

During the 2011 spring semester, David and Paula hosted Farid from Kabul, Afghanistan, who attended Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Their young guest, a Muslim, had earned the Youth Exchange & Studies (YES) scholarship through intensive testing and interviewing by American Councils staff in Kabul. He was selected for his academic performance, his maturity, and his ability to present himself as an ambassador of his country and culture, as well as his ease with adapting to a very different culture.

Although here for only six months, Farid wowed everyone he interacted with in Franklin County, so personable and interested was he. He left people with a more realistic and fleshed-out idea of the ordinary lives and rich ancient culture of a country that most Americans associate only with war and terrorism.

When Farid returned to Kabul after graduation, David and Paula decided they wanted to continue living on a more global scale, building bridges for peace and understanding with countries mysterious or misunderstood within the U.S. They applied to American Councils to become coordinators, to bring to this area the rich, warm cross-cultural experiences that they had so benefited from.

This fall the new coordinators placed two students in their community for the 2011-2012 school term. Sonja Mitic of Novi Sad, Serbia, is enjoying her host-Mom Anita Wright and attends Mt. Blue High School. On Jan Collins’ and Irving Faunce’s blueberry farm lives Nayab Jamal of Nowshera, Pakistan; she attends Gardiner Area High School where her host-Mom teaches. Nayab has learned to love kayaking, and Sonja can be seen competing in cross-country track meets. Both girls welcome invitations to talk about their countries and cultures.

American Councils requires their carefully selected students, of which there are 200 across the country, to demonstrate “public diplomacy,” which is peace-making in a relaxed people-to-people setting over a period of time, rather than official, institutionalized country-to-country meetings.

During their stay American Councils students must do at least two presentations about their country and culture – one in their school and one in the community. (Farid enthusiastically did 12!) In addition they must perform 30 hours of volunteer service within their host community in order to learn the uniquely American value of volunteerism. They must include an English class & a US history class in their curriculum…and must comport themselves always as worthy ambassadors of their often misunderstood homelands.

David and Paula will offer casual informational gatherings in coming months for potential host families and to collect helpful, interested supporters who are simply excited about public diplomacy with a part of the globe we Americans know little about. Welcoming households of any configuration are invited to apply. For more information call 645-9707, visit the new Western Maine American Councils blog at http://westernmaineac.wordpress.com or the American Councils website www.americancouncils.org.