CLUB W: Exchange students learn about American culture
By CHELSEA ARNHOLD
MHS student reporter
For many years Marion High School has welcomed foreign exchange students to live in the district and learn about American culture. They are not the only ones who learn. MHS students and families also benefit from the experience. Since cultures are so different, the exchange experience gives everyone a chance to understand lifestyles and ideas.
There are three girls from Germany living in three Marion homes.
Johanna Pape lives with Steve, Danette, Hannah, and Tedra Eis. The Eis family is excited to have her and she is excited to be here.
"People are very helpful here. I like the way they spend their day," Pape said.
Danette Eis always thought it would be an interesting experience. "It's a good way to learn about different cultures, and provides somebody from a different country a chance to learn about American ways," she stated.
Kathrin Lange is living with Brad, Patty, Braden, and Remington Putter. She is happy to be here, but she is a little homesick.
"She's still trying," said Patty Putter, "but when she gets a phone call or a letter, she starts feeling blue."
Lange tried to get a scholarship to pay her expenses to fly here. "I was one of 60 people who took the test; they didn't give me the scholarship so I had to pay for it myself," she said.
For the most part, everyone seems to have adjusted to having an extra family member.
Greg Davidson, whose family hosts an exchange student, said, "She's just another mouth to feed and another person to join into family activities."
The other two families, however, took a while to work out the bathroom schedule. "I have to get up earlier to shower because she (Pape) takes forever in the bathroom," Hannah Eis said.
Exchange students have to do a number of things before they are allowed into the United States. They must contact an organization, such as ERDT (Educational Resource Development Trust), and fill out detailed paperwork about themselves. They may spend about $5,000 to get over here — and that doesn't include spending money.
Choosing a student can become an exercise in patience. The Ken Arnhold family chose a Mongolian student but her government decided to cancel all student visas.
The Chinese also canceled all the Hong Kong student visas so none of those students will be able to come to the United States either.
The Arnhold family chose another student. He is a 17-year old Iranian immigrant to Germany. His visa has been held up by the United States as a precaution.
On the average, exchange students wait two weeks for the visas to be approved. Mohammed, the Iranian/German student, has been waiting since July.
While the expense is considerable, the students who come are welcomed by MHS students and families and benefit from a valuable learning experience while in Marion.
