FLEXible Anna and Katya

Blogging from Bruce
Vonda Keon
July 20, 2009


Let us build a new relationship with Russia and the New Independent States - one based on two peoples coming together in a common commitment to make the tough choices for the long-term health of each country and the world; two peoples aware that having stared each other to the brink of nuclear holocaust, we now have a special responsibility to find in each other and within ourselves the capacity to reconceive our possibilities as two nations, two peoples, one world.
-1992 Former US Senator Bill Bradley
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) is a federal government program that provides opportunities for high school age students from former Communist Bloc countries to spend a year in the United States, living with a family and attending a U.S. high school. The scholarship is awarded through a merit-based competition, to students from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.
This Sunday, July 26, a new cultural adventure begins for my family and for the family of Brother Scott Wright, the pastor of Lewis Memorial in Calhoun City. Both of our exchange students will arrive on that day. Katya fromUkraine,the student that will become a part of Bro. Scott’s family, will be arriving in Tupelo at 10:30 AM. I will be at the airport to greet her and bring her to meet her new family.
In a recent Facebook chat with Katya I asked her a few questions.
Q.What do you think will be the most exciting thing about coming to live in the USA for the school year?
A. Getting new experience, making friends, learning American culture.

Q.What do you think will be your biggest challenge when you arrive?
A. To my mind it will be sharing my own culture, mentality, habits with Americans.

Q. Why did you want to be an exchange student?
A. Because I want to know more about Americans, there culture, become more independent, meet new friends.

Q. What do you hope to achieve during your time here as an exchange student?
A. Independence, looking things from different points, being FLEXible.
After we drop Katya off in Calhoun City, we will be headed to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport to await the arrival of Anna, our own exchange student from Armenia. Anna is very excited to be coming here. Her first email to me said it all…..
“Hello Dear Family! How are you? I'm Ann, I'm going to stay with you for a year, and I believe that we'll get to spend a lot of good time together.
First of all thank you for choosing me. I was so happy to know that I was one of the first ones to be chosen. I am very excited and a little nervous at the same time. I am excited because I know that my year in the USA will be unforgettable and wonderful. And I'm a little nervous, because I know that it would be just a little hard for me in the beginning because of my English, but I'm ready to overcome all the challenges.
I have already started to imagine everything, my departure, my first day in school, the celebrations of the holidays with you, and many many other things.
I'm very happy to know a little about you. I saw the pictures, and I'm sure that I'll spend great time with you; especially with my sisters (I have no sisters, only a brother). Now I want to write a little about me, my hobbies and interests. I'm sure you know that I've played piano for 8 years. I really enjoy hearing classical music. But it’s a little crazy I like to hear rap and rock very much too. I found out that you like the series of ”Harry Potter". SO DO I!!! Here we go!!! There is already one common thing. I had mentioned that I like to read the books of "Harry Potter", but besides that I like to read historical books, because history is my favorite subject. I've read that you are interested in Armenia, and it will be a great pleasure for me to tell you about it, because it's a small country, but it has a very long history and a rich literature, and it's very ancient. The weather here goes up to 104 (F) in summer and 0 F, so I will definitely enjoy the weather in Bruce. I hope I'll be there for the first day of school. I've told my parents about you, and they are sure that you will take excellent care of me. They are little sad, but on the other hand they're very happy that I have the opportunity to learn about the US lifestyle.”
This Sunday Bro. Scott and Denise and their daughters will join in the cultural adventure along with my family as we learn to be FLEXible and become the Host Families for two extraordinary girls!