EXCHANGING PERSPECTIVES
Oconomowoc's AFS student exchange program offers intercultural experiences, understanding
By Rebecca Seymour
Special to the Enterprise
OCONOMOWOC — Do you know where Turkmenistan is located? AFS international exchange student Maral Rustamova is learning that not many people know where her home country lies in the world, so she is enjoying the opportunity to share information about the Central Asian country bordered by the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Sponsored by the U.S. State Department's highly competitive Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program, the 18-year-old Rustamova is the first FLEX student to live and attend school within the Waukesha area.
"Not a lot of people know about Turkmenistan. It's a big honor to represent my country and talk to people about my culture and what my life is like back home," she said.
The Oconomowoc AFS Chapter is part of the Waukesha and West Area Team, which is made up of 13 local high schools. A dedicated group of volunteers work closely with the schools, students and families to ensure a successful experience.
Along with Rustamova, there are nine AFS international exchange students attending Oconomowoc High School, and living with host families in the Oconomowoc area this year, including Dea Uzaimi from Indonesia, Anna Monticelli from Italy, Beatriz Brites from Portugal, Blanca Risquez de Torres from Spain, Brage Bjanger from Norway, Celie Descombes from France, Sonia von Holtzendorf-Fehling from Germany, and Supphanchada "Book" Tongcha from Thailand.
Founded by volunteer ambulance drivers in the American Field Services after World Wars I and II to promote peace and foster international service, AFS has been leading international high school student exchange for more than 70 years.
Today the nonprofit organization offers international education opportunities in more than 45 countries, and welcomes exchange students from 90 countries to the U.S. to study in high schools, live with host families, and actively participate in their communities.
Building bridges
AFS founders believed that by promoting the exchange of students, a worldwide culture of cooperation and understanding among peoples and nations could be sustained. Today, AFS is one of the largest volunteer-based organizations of its kind in the world, supported by more than 4,400 volunteers in the U.S. and over 50,000 worldwide.
Debra Bursinger has been volunteering for AFS for 10 years, and is the president of the Oconomowoc AFS Chapter. Her family has been actively involved in the program, hosting several international students over the years.
"I've always wanted my family to learn about different cultures and meet people from around the world. I was an exchange student when I was in school and it opened my eyes to different cultures. I wanted my kids to have those same experiences. Yes, there are differences between us, but we're all so alike, too," she explained.
Brage Bjanger, 17, from Norway is living with the Bursinger family during this academic year.
"This has been an amazing experience so far. The best part for me is meeting people and making new friends like the Bursinger family. It's important to show people that there is more to the world than here. It helps us all to be more aware of what is really going on around us," he said.
Making Connections
With the focus to help develop global awareness in the schools and among members of the community, AFS students are encouraged to engage in volunteer activities and also give presentations about their countries.
Nov. 18-22 marked the 20th anniversary of International Education Week, an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide.
To celebrate, international students from OHS visited classrooms to talk about their countries, cultures, and traditions at Nature Hill and Silver Lake intermediate, as well as OASD elementary schools.
Julie Palm teaches third grade at Oconomowoc's Meadow View Elementary School. Her family has also hosted AFS students from France and Lebanon.
"I always like it when the international students come into my classroom to give presentations. It gives the kids a great picture of the world and helps them to understand there are other cultures and different ways of thinking," she explained. "Hosting students was also a really neat opportunity for our family. We learned so much about the world and about ourselves."
Maral had the opportunity to give presentations for students at Nature Hill and Silver Lake Intermediate Schools, and Summit and Greenland Elementary Schools.
"I was so excited to be able to talk about my country. It was fun because the kids are really interested and asked me so many questions," she said.
For more information about AFS and international student exchange opportunities at Oconomowoc High School, visit the Oconomowoc AFS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Ocono mowocAFS or contact Deb Bursinger at 262-490-7902 or bursinger@gmail.com.
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AFS international exchange student Maral Rustamova, 18, from Turkmenistan spends some time showing Summit Elementary 5K student Charlotte Fotiades how to wear jewelry and a headdress from her country during a visit to the school.
Submitted photo