Exchange students are 'cousins' in America
Three foreign exchange students at Centre High School reside with the families of three brothers, making them temporary cousins.
Daniel Mikolajcak of Slovakia resides with Ronnie and Susan Carlson, Valjeta Kosumi of Kosova with Marcus and Peggy Carlson, and Irina Komarnitskaya with Duane and Karen Carlson, all of Lincolnville.
In addition to being cousins to each other, they also have American siblings and an extended family of cousins, uncles, and aunts.
"I'm Grandma to all of them," said a proud Ruth Ann Carlson, mother of the Carlson brothers.
This is the fifth year the Marcus Carlsons have hosted an exchange student. They already have made arrangements to host another one next school year. The Ronnie Carlsons have hosted three exchange students.
For Duane and Karen Carlson, this is their first experience hosting an exchange student. Irina comes from Uzbekistan, a country north of Afghanistan in the former Soviet Union.
They said Irina has a pleasing personality. They have enjoyed sharing and exchanging information about their cultures. She is eager to learn about new things including farm operations.
They were surprised to discover Irina was familiar with many American movies and TV programs. They said she quickly learned English slang and terminology.
They enjoy observing how their two daughters who reside at home, Andrea, 18, and Carrie, nine, relate to Irina. They said the girls get along well and like to play piano and sing together. Like the other girls, Irina looks forward to visits from an older sister, Natalie, who is attending college.
The three exchange students are in America under the auspices of CCI (Center for Cultural Interchange). Their area representative is Nancy Perrin of McPherson. She arranges places for them to visit each month.
They have been to the Cosmosphere and newspaper office at Hutchinson, the capital and Kansas Historical Museum at Topeka, and junior college basketball championships. They also have gone sledding and bowling.
During spring break, Valjeta and Irina went with their host families to Dallas, Houston, and Galveston, Texas. Daniel went skiing in Colorado with another CHS exchange student, Giovanni Antonially, and his host parents, Phil and Jamie Peterson.
Irina and Valjeta participate in forensics. Valjeta is interested in a career in journalism. She contributes to the Marion County Record, and is on the school newspaper and yearbook staff. Daniel was a regular player on the basketball team and also participates in track.
The students said adjusting to American English was the greatest challenge. The two girls come from cities and had to adjust to living in a rural community. Irina said she misses public transportation. They all agreed school work is easier than in their home countries.
"It is easier and also more interesting," Daniel said.
Irina is a senior and hopes to go to college and major in psychology when she returns to Uzbekistan. Valjeta and Daniel are juniors and will finish high school when they return home.
The three students expressed appreciation for the support of their host families, teachers, friends, and CCI representative.
"We thank them for giving us this wonderful experience," Valjeta said.
