Foreign exchange students celebrate new school year

As the volunteer hosting coordinator for the AFS-Kansas City Area Team, a international student exchange program, Brenda Stoll knows first-hand the amount of work it takes to host a student from oversees.

Stoll, who has hosted four international students over the years – including in 2008-2009 William Chrisman High School senior from Germany – also knows the long-lasting virtues learned by a school-age child who may be making their first trip to the United States.

On Sunday at Truman High School, Stoll and the AFS-KC team welcomed 68 students from 25 different countries and one visiting teacher from Thailand who will participate in the exchange program this year. Thirteen of the students – six each in the Independence and Blue Springs School Districts and one in Fort Osage – are part of the Independence/Blue Springs chapter of AFS-KC.

The AFS participants gathered over dinner to celebrate the beginning of a new school-year and possibly meet new friends from all over the globe.

“We call it our ‘First Family Fling.’” Stoll said. “We have exchange students here that go to school in Independence, Blue Springs, Fort Osage, Raytown, Raytown South, Oak Park, Winnetonka and Platte County. We also have some here that attend school as far away as Clinton and Adrian, Missouri.”

Stoll said the 68 host families are about the average number to host students each year. With more students planning to enroll in the program in January, Stoll said the organization has its doors open for more volunteers.

“We’ll need about four to five more families in January,” Stoll said, adding “we’re always looking for a few more families to host.”

AFS-KC volunteer Jeff Neaveill of Blue Springs said he and his wife Carol have served as a host family four times now with the addition of a senior from Japan who is attending Blue Springs High School.

Jeff Neaveill, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force, said the family’s previous traveling experiences overseas have opened doors that have yet to close.

“We’ve traveled all around the world,” Neaveill said of his family that includes two college-aged children and one still in high school. “For us, it’s the thing to do. It creates better relationships with people from around the world.”

Neaveill said the family’s children have enjoyed the experience of having an international student in the home. In fact, Neaveill said, one of his children is now taking college courses in Berlin.

“They all love it,” Neaveill said. “They have all learned from taking someone in. We’ve all had a good time.”

As for the students who come from abroad, Neaveill said the feelings are mutual.

“We stay connected with our students,” Neaveill said. “They miss being here. They miss their friends, their coaches. A lot of them come back to visit and that’s why. They miss it.”

Stoll said anyone interested in offering their volunteer services to AFS-KC can call her at 816-257-7943, reach her by e-mail at blstoll@sbcglobal.net or visit the website www.afs.org for more information about the program.