To you all,
- AFS is an organisation that was started 50 years ago between America and West Europe as a clean up operation
after World War II. It soon spread into a world wide organisation for exchange students.
- AFS now, gives students the opportunity (for 15-18 year old) to spend a certain amount of time in a different country,
often a different continent, where they can learn about a different culture, different traditions, different behaviour patterns.
- To make sure you get a true insight on that different culture you attend a state school and become one of the students, this also an excellent way of
making great friends. You learn about hwo they learn and if you're good, learn along with them.
- You stay with a host family, during your time away and learn about your host contry's family life, which is what normally causes the culture shock. But if you develope a great relationship with your
host family you end up enjoying the year a lot better, because you know you can always go to them if you have any problems. You also have a place to call "home".
- AFS Slovakia is only 5 years old and is still very new. But as the years go on they spread wider in their exchanges. AFS orientations are always looked forward to. Lots of late nights, lots of "stuff" and lots of fun. There is no
serious side to it, but no AFS students take it light hearted, just like we take life.
- What makes an AFS student??? A sense of humour, the ability to remain same whilst changing lifestyles, to have an interesting personality, money for at least the
first 3 months you're away, to know how to put on your little adorable face/voice and ask your parents for more money, to be able to communicate with others often using something different from your voice, and basicly to know how to have fun.
- AFS exchanges are a chance for you to grow up and find yourself, which I know a lot of people have, and will go home and live life knowing its meaning. Others loose themselves even more and go home as lost as them coming, only to find they had the
answer before they left but didn't realise it.
- Your time away from home isn't always fun fun fun. You do have some not so good times, they can very from homesickness to getting hit by a Skoda. But that's life, you learn how to deal with your own problems, and grow up because of it and know
you're not going to make the same silly mistakes again.
- Joe's 8 months here have been fun, but he has certainly learnt a lot and not just the language. He has done one or two stupid things which I'm sure he'll never be doing again. But I know he's had a great year and will be very sad to go.
- Ben's 3.5 months have been fun, he picked up the language already and has gained a social life and spent lots of money. He's looking forward to the next 8 months and I'm sure he will have some embarassing
stories to share with you by then.
- Me, well, we all discovered I can write very boring articles. I've learnt a hell of a lot apart from the language. I've had a pretty lazy 8 months compared to Joe but I ain't done as many stupid things, I'm happy to say. I also will be sad to go.
- Joe, ben andI are our own little family. Ben is the wise one who gives us loads of advise - even if some of it is a load of crap. Joe is the guy we take the nic of and he likes winding everyone up. And I'm the only stable minded person here!
Together we are a family.
- Whilst I'm writing we'd like to thank you all for everything. The teachers for putting up with us. And the students for just being you. Special thanks to Pani M. Dombrovska for all the help throughout our stay.
- Never forget us. Sure, you get new AFS students, but there will only ever be one Joe, one Ben and one Becky. Have a great life, have lots of fun, and treasure those memories.
Loads of Love and Hugs...
Becky, Joe and Ben
PS: Anita (KIWI) sends her regards.
(C) Gymnazium Postova 9, last update 01/05/96
You/Vy/can/mozete/contact/kontaktovat/us/nas/at/na p9echo@kosice.upjs.sk
Pages created by Martin Ferencei (martin@ccsun.tuke.sk), Crystal Vision.