AFS San Diego

San Diego AFS Area Team held their Mid-Year Orientation at a Sierra Club lodge on Mt. Laguna in east San Diego County the weekend of Feb. 7-8. Snow hardly ever occurs in the population centers here, and is uncommon in the mountains. So when we booked the lodge a couple of months ago it was with the thought that snow was unlikely. Our good fortune was that the snow did not accumulate on the roads, but we did have a few inches everywhere else. We had 24 AFS students there. Those from Northern Europe were relatively unimpressed. But for those from places like Thailand, including two who had never seen snow, it was a real treat. An unidentified student or students built this miniature AFS snowman as a greeting to all of us as we exited the lodge.

Doug Deane and Dana Goodrich of Alpine have found becoming “parents” to a 15-year-old Muslim girl from Thailand, a life changing experience. The same is true for their “daughter,” Mareenah (pronounced Marina) Useng.

“It rocked my world,” said Doug of the time Mareenah was missing. “I found out what being a parent is really all about.” He received a call from Dana that the bus had “come and gone and Mareenah wasn’t on it. I was panicked.” Actually it turned out that the bus was just late. Mareenah was fine, a new bus driver had apparently got lost.

“In the mornings, Mom takes me,” Mareenah said of Dana. Partly because she’s carrying a lot of books, Doug explains, “but also for security. She wears a scarf outside the house. She hasn’t had any problems with it, but she does stick out.”

Mareenah is living with the couple and attending Granite Hills High School as part of the AFS Intercultural Programs student exchange. She is one of 20 students in San Diego County brought over by the group, and the only Muslim girl they’ve ever had.

Photo used with permission from JoshBooX.

I could see the excited faces waiting for the day to start. I was impatient too. I was tired of imagining the fear running through my veins while flying in air. And soon, our wait was over; my wait was over. We reached magic mountain! Although the sun was burning hot, showing no mercy on us, our excitement and will never gave up. It was an incredible experience for all of us, especially for me because I had never imagined that I'll be flying on the world's largest and tallest roller coaster rides. Yes, roller coaster rides! Be it the Tatsu or the Goliath, the most amazing rides; we were never afraid of taking the challenge; or maybe it was not a challenge but just mere fun and excitement. Being with a group of exchange students from all around the world, I didn't even come to know when the time passed by. We, as a group, did all the possible rides, roamed around the park, ate a lot and most importantly, drank loads of water and lemonades to fight the dehydration. And in the end, we all were tired; even I was. Everyday has its twilight, its end. Sitting in the van and hearing all the excited voices commenting upon the the day's experience, I sat back thinking. I knew it was over. But then, I questioned myself: What did I get at the end of the day? I knew it was fun going on rides, but then, that excitement was temporary and had died already. But I knew there was something more to it that I couldn't understand. And then I realized, it was the smiles, the laughter, the jokes, all the things that we did as a group. Those were the moments that kept me alive. And now when I look back, I am afraid that these moments will never come back again. Jose's determination, Italo's food hunt, Lada's crazyness, Bijan's injured leg, Monica's tired face, Camille's jumping out of excitement; those are the things I take back. Just memories. But this wouldn't have been possible without the cooperation and support of the host parents and most importantly, without Becky. I just have two words to say " Thank You". Although these words are used thousands of times by all of us in a day, they mean a lot to me. It would have been impossible to make this happen without you all!

- Jay K.

Kristy Ishmael, one of our most dedicated volunteers, died peacefully in her sleep on March 6th after an eighteen month battle with cancer. I knew Kristy both as a host mom and as a good friend. She and her husband Ken hosted three students in successive years, Arthur Wong from Malaysia, Marin Stankov from Bulgaria and Germany, and Francisca Barreiros from Portugal. Two of her children went abroad on AFS exchanges, Timothy to New Zealand and Brynne to Austria.

Over the years, Kristy and I had many conversations, both in person and on the phone. She always made time to talk, and our talks usually centered on the challenges of parenthood, both of natural and hosted children, but we often digressed and chatted about things that were of interest or concern to the two of us. One of the joys of being her conversation partner was her total openness and candor. With Kristy, you always knew where you were at.

She approached her battle with cancer in the same open manner that left little room for false hope or wild speculation. She wanted to live, but she was prepared for the worst. Ken and she made sure that she received the best treatment possible; in New York, in San Diego, and finally in Los Angeles. I do not believe she was suffering greatly; I feel she would have told me. During her final months she spent a lot of time resting, but she found the energy to drive to Los Angeles for her treatments two or three times a week. When I asked her at a holiday gathering at my house in December how she felt, she responded, “I feel fine.” That was the end of that topic, and we moved on to things that seemed to interest her more.

Kristy took great pride in her children and their progress. She was a wonderful mom. Moreover, she was available to drive her hosted students wherever they might have wanted to go. She did have one iron-clad rule, however, for anyone in her care: no driving with teenagers and no hanging out with teenagers at their home unless a “responsible adult” was present. Other than that, she was as much a friend to her children and students as she was a parent.

Some of you will remember Kristy wearing her trademark baseball cap at orientations which hid the loss of her hair. She was pleased that much of it had grown back during her final months.

We shall miss Kristy greatly and offer our most sincere condolences to the members of her family. In addition to her husband Ken, she is leaving behind her parents and siblings, as well as four children; Kenneth, Timothy, Brynne, and Jeffrey.

Nick Felfe

Hi! Im one of the fifteen students that two weeks ago took part at the three-days-orientation in a camp in the middle of an amazing nowhere, in mt Laguna.

Only fifteen of us, not a big number, but a great group that includes many different countries: Italy, France, Portugal, Austria, Brazil, Germany, India, Chile, Sweden, Norway and Thai.

Before going there all of us were really scared that it would have been a boring and terrible weekend... But,thanks to our liasons that drove us there, thanks to the 3 wonderful people in charge of the meeting and, above all, thanks to us for being so nice and friendly with each other, we had a lot of fun together!

The orientations over the year are one of the most useful thing, that makes your experience abroad going on even better. You can share your own feelings, your emotions, your happynesses or sadnesses; you can talk about your host family, your school and your new friendships; and moreover, you can do that with guys that are facing your same situations.

Of course we didn't just even talk! We made a pumpkin for halloween, we tasted home-made dishes from all over the world and on saturday night we had a funny talent show about our countries.

We all enjoyed the stay but, the only regret we have, is that we have to wait till February for the next orientations together! Waiting for that.. we will try to keep in touch and I really belive that, since those few days, we has been building some friendships that might go on for the rest of our lives.

Sandy (Italy)

See the pictures here!