International Fellowship, Inc.
Monthly Newsletter
February 2010
Letter from the President...
First, I would like to thank all of our host families, schools, communities and staff for everyone's efforts in making this another successful and exciting year for our students. Without everyone's generousity and compassion, these students wouldn't be where there are now... here in the United States experiencing a new culture, way of living and people.
At this time our Area Directors are placing students for the 2010 August/September academic programs. Again, they are looking for the generousity of families, schools & communities to welcome the students into their communities.
Please contact our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free at 1-800-647-8839 or by email at: infelwes@cecomet.net with any interest. To view our students you must contact our office first for a password to view the students.
Thank you!
Norman J. Zent, President
ALL 2009-2010 International Fellowship Students
Please feel free to call our office anytime at 1-800-647-8839 with any questions, concerns or comments. There is always someone available to take your call. We are ALWAYS available 7-days a week, 24-hours a day, including ALL HOLIDAYS!
All Schools & Host Families are welcome to call the 800 number at any time with their own questions, concerns or comments.
Thank you to all of the people who have made the exchange experience possible for all of our students... The Area Directors, Local Representatives, Host Families, Schools and Communities...
ENJOY!!!!!!
Letter from Yuhei (2004-2005) from Japan...
"Through this studying abroad, I have lost nothing, but I have received many things. I want to mention a few of them."
1. Having Pride in Their Country
"I felt their huge pride in their country. In Gordon (NE), students watched the American flag and pledged allegiance to the flag every morning. We listened to the American anthem before every sports game too. In Japan, there are people that swear to God in morning, but no one does the pledge to our flag. I was really surprised that national flag and anthem are established among even students. Our country's history (Japan) is one of the reasons why we don't sing our national anthem very much or watch our national flag, so this is a difficult problem. However, I was really affected by their strong pride in their country."
2. The Relation Among People
"Gordon (NE), the city I had lived, has about 2000 population. Thus, they know each other very closely. At the restaurant, school, or store, they always exchanged words. "Hi!" "How are you?" "What's going on?" ... They greet everyone, even exchange student... Those words helped me a lot. Those words helped me to enter in other country easily. This custom wasn't only in my city that is really small, but everywhere, including other cities or even in other states. We exchanged greetings every time. It is really comfortable to do."
"This trend was in sports too. I played football, basketball, and track. Every game, a lot of friends who don't play sports and their parents came and gave us big cheers. Also, there were live broadcastings by radio. People in the city support their team. I was really excited by their huge excitements. That is one of the reasons why I could have really enjoyable sports season for a year."
3. Taking Care of Their Families
"This relates to the relation among the people, but I realized that they really take care of their families and love them in the US. Lots of pictures are seen around the house and on their desks. Also, they rather have time with their families. When they invite company, they invite them into their house and cook instead of going to a restaurant. If my host dad's friend came, host mom would join them. What I want to say is that it is really important for them to entertain visitor as a family."
"On the Christmas Day, the biggest Holiday in the US, of course they spend the time with their families. I was assuming that they spend with their friends on the Christmas Day, but that was absolutely wrong. When it is close to Christmas Day, they start decoration of their houses, inside and outside. This shows their families' big relationships."
"In Japan, only husband goes fishing or golf, or only wife goes to her parents' home, but in the US, what they spend time with their families is a basic rule."
4. Their Praising
"My teachers, coaches, or friends like to praise their students or players. They did that to me, exchange student, too. They always told me "pretty good!" "good job!" "You are the best player in your Japanese school, aren't you?"... These words helped me a lot. We seldom praise each other like this. But, I was really impressed by those warm considerations."
"Ten months, I had been in the US. That taught me that Americans have huge love for their country and families. Also they provide love for other people, and have good communications."
"I lived in a small country city for ten months and had these wonderful experiences. Through those experiences, I've begun thinking about my future. Since I came here, I've started to be interested in relationships between people. I've been thinking that I would like to have a job, which has connection with many people. Hopefully, I would like to use English and move between Japan and other countries. Of course, this dream came from my experiences here."
"Because of this great studying abroad, I've been able to think about even my future. I really appreciate Gakushuin Boy's Senior High School (Japan). I would like to say Thank You." (JA 025 2004 Yuhei in Gordon, Nebraska)
STUDENTS TO TALK ABOUT...
Please start sending in information about our 2009-2010 students once they are settled and there is information to put in our newsletter.
The best way to do so is by email with pictures attached or if necessary by "snail" mail.
Thanks!
Employment Opportunities
We are always interested in enthusiastic individuals here in the United States to assist our Placement Directors in locating and securing host families and schools for our students. Please Check out the "Employment Opportunities" page on our website.
Call 1-800-647-8839 or email infelwes@cecomet.net for more details today!
Pictures from the I.F. STUDENT TOUR to NYC & DC!
International Fellowship Tour 2011
The dates of the International Fellowship Tour to NYC and Washington DC are to be announce at a later date.
Tour information is available at www.internationalfellowship.org under the Tour Information Link, by email, fax or calling 1-800-647-8839.
The email address is infelwes@cecomet.net
Thank You!
TRAVEL REQUESTS and/or Transportation Issues
If you have any questions or trips you need permission for, please call, email, fax or snail mail them to the office. All definite requests MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING to our office for approval. A written response will be returned to the student and/or host family regarding any and all requests. NEVER assume permission will be granted once a request has been submitted in writing. There are NO exceptions to our travel rules/policies. Thank you.
Please keep in mind any "INTERNATIONAL" trips must be brought to our attention at LEAST 4 WEEKS in advance. "International" trips include CANADA.
As for trips within the United States, permission must still be obtained from the Main Office in Westfield, New York PRIOR to the Trip. We would like at least a TWO WEEK notice on all trips.
ANY and ALL TRIPS involving "potential" travel with Natural Parents or the Natural Parents planning a "possible" trip to visit their child MUST be presented for authorization and approval PRIOR to the finalization of any trips/visits.
Thank You for your Cooperation.
Please feel free to "snail" mail or email in any information you feel is worth putting in the International Fellowship newsletter.
Thank you.
