Yes AFS news

Malaysian Exchange Program Alumni Leaders Honor Faisal Hassan as Alumni of the Month

Sat Mar 06 00:00:00 +0000 2010

This was originally published on the US Embassy Malaysia web site.

Twenty-five Malaysian exchange program alumni honored State Alumni Member of the Month for EAP, Faisal Hassan in recognition of his outstanding work as president of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Alumni Malaysia, an association promoting youth empowerment through leadership and volunteerism, as well as his dedication to strengthening alumni communities and exchange programs in Malaysia.

Alumni leaders from several exchange programs attended including the International Visitor Leadership Program, Fulbright, Humphrey, Eisenhower, Youth Exchange and Study Program, UGRAD, Study of the U.S. Institute and American Council of Young Leaders.

At the dinner, CAO Nicholas Papp discussed opportunities to strengthen alumni programs in Malaysia in the coming year, and requested the assistance of senior alumni in mentoring the growing number of younger alumni. All the alumni leaders shared their exchange program experiences in the U.S., their interest in giving back to their communities and committed to assisting with future projects that are being organized by the YES alumni leadership team – specifically a series of outreach (roadshow) events in six cities in Malaysia, community development projects (environmental protection, leadership development, English language programs for youth, Poverty Reduction, and Entrepreneurship) as well as an English camp for English Access Microscholarship alumni and participants planned for November 2010. The alumni leaders present at the dinner were very supportive and showed strong interest in helping with the projects.

Photo: CAO Nicholas Papp presenting certificate to Faisal Hassan

February Edition of PAX Press Now Available!

Wed Feb 24 00:00:00 +0000 2010

Download the latest edition of PAX Press below!

PAX Press is a .pdf document and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open. Click here for the free Adobe download.

"My America" Follows Indonesian Students in the USA

Fri Feb 19 00:00:00 +0000 2010

Running as a six-part series on Indonesian TV, “Amerikaku” (“My America”) documents the story of four Indonesian high school students, selected from among thousands of applicants, who are studying in the United States as part of the US State Department’s Youth Exchange and Study program.

Check out the trailer below and read more here

YES Alumna from Pakistan is NY Times Guest Blogger

Fri Feb 19 00:00:00 +0000 2010

A YES alumna from Pakistan is featured guest blogger at Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times blog:

“Sher Bano is a 17-year-old Pashtun girl from Pakistan who spent last year as an exchange student in Evanston, Illinois, as part of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. She is now back in the city of Peshawar in the northwest of Pakistan, but is unable to attend formal school because of insecurity there. As a guest blogger, she’ll be writing about life in Pakistan from the perspective of a teenage girl who has spent time in the West.”

Read the full story here

Report from a Pashtun Teen

Fri Feb 19 00:00:00 +0000 2010

A YES alumna from Pakistan is featured guest blogger at Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times blog:

Read the full story here

Alumni Spotlight: Farhan Kamarzaman

Thu Feb 18 00:00:00 +0000 2010

The following interview with YES alumnus Farhan Kamarzaman ’08 was originally published in MyDeafNews. Farhan was recently selected to attend the 2010 YES Alumni Training of Trainers Workshop in Washington DC. Article translation by Yah Tyng Ng, VP YES Alumni Malaysia.

by Normawati Muhamad Kasim

Farhan Kamarzaman is one of four lucky deaf students who were selected for the YES Program, an exchange program in the United States organized by AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia. The following is the interview between Farhan and MyDeafNews (MD):

MD: Assalamualaikum. Thank for willing to be in this interview
Farhan: Waalaikumussalam. You’re welcome
MD: Can you briefly describe your background? Name, date of birth, where are you from and where are you studying?
Farhan: My name is Mohd. Farhan Kamarzaman, 19 years old born in Kuala Lumpur Hospital on 3rd July 1990. I’m currently studying Form 5 in SMK Desa Perdana.

MD: How did you know and participated this YES program?
Farhan: I applied few years ago and never thought my dream would come true to participate this program. My teacher informed me that I was selected

MD: When you were informed that you are selected for the YES program. How do you feel?
Farhan: I have both mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety to participate the YES program because it is also my first time participating program as such. However I am very fortunate enough that I able to get support from my family because my both parents are also actively involved in exchange programs which make it easier for them to understand me.

MD: Before going to the US, what kind of preparation that you do?
Farhan: Before going to US, all participants need to attend an orientation camp for 4 days. We have to learn ASL and other things. Alumni members are there to share their experience which is very useful as I can ask them what to expect from my stay there.

MD: While you are there, what is your most unforgettable experience?
Farhan: When we just arrived in Washington DC, one of the unforgettable moments was when we visited Gallaudet University where everyone there communicates using sign language. Even when I ordering food I don’t need to write to order my food but instead just sign, which is very different from Malaysia. I am amazed with what I had experienced and seen.

MD: What are the challenges you had faced during YES program? For example, from communicating with people, friends or any task that did you need to do?
Farhan: Among the challenges that I had faced during YES program is communicating with my host parents whom are not deaf. They know little of sign language and I need to write on piece of paper to communicate with them. In that case, I need to be good in English however I had taught them basic sign language such as drink, eat, sleep, shower, thank you and good morning. Other challenges that I had also faced is difficulty in fulfilling the Solat Prayers and getting Halal food.

MD: Where is your school in US and is the place near to your host family house?
Farhan: I was placed in Indianapolis Deaf School whereby all students are deaf and also most teachers are deaf too. My host family house is quite far from my school, therefore I was placed in the school dormitory. Every weekend, I will live in my host family house which takes about 2 hours of bus ride. Being in a foreign country teaches me to be brave and independent as I am the only student from Malaysia.

MD: What challenges do you face in school there compared to the school in Malaysia?
Farhan: At the beginning, my challenges were to understand their sign language, but later I get used to their sign language and able to understand it. The education system is very different between America and Malaysia because in America the education system is more into theory and practical, whilst Malaysia focuses only onto the theory aspect.

MD: During your stay, what amazes you the most?
Farhan: I am amazed by the vast technology available there. For example, an electrical device like Video Phone enables me to communicate with anyone by just dialing the phone and later was connected through an operator who can sign. I can also communicate my family through the television at home.

MD: After the end of 6 months there, how do you feel when it is time to go home?
Farhan: I have mixed feelings again because I am sad to leave my host family and friends in America but in the mean time I am happy to see my family again in Malaysia. When I’m in America I felt like a different person because there is too many differences between America and Malaysia.

MD: What are your future plans?
Farhan: My future plans were to further my studies in engineering or technology information. I hope to obtain excellent results in SPM to enable to obtain scholarships to further my studies.

MD: What is your advice to other youth out there?
Farhan: I hope other youth like me able to participate in programs that able to give them experience and to meet different people in the society. I also hope all youth to be successful and also help the society and the needy.

MD: Thank you for willing to be interviewed.
Farhan: You’re welcome.

Colorado Skiing Experience

Thu Feb 18 00:00:00 +0000 2010

by Baya Inggas, Indonesia
hosted in Kansas 09-10

If you think I never skiied before, you’re right, but nothing can stop me to try something new. Me, my host mom Mary, my host sister Alisa, and her boyfriend Dustin went to Colorado last winter break. We skiied at Keystone, and people say that Keystone is one of the best ski spots in the world, and they were right, it’s a neat place.

On the first day we just drove around the town, and went ice skating at the rink. I’ve been ice skating before, so that was fine. The next day we took a lesson as a beginner for skiing, the coach was Jim Curtis, and he is a really good coach, he taught us everything for safety in the bunny slope. The first day was pretty good for me, as I can remember the compliment that Jim gave to me at the end of the day : “You have the most skill has ever covered…”

Yes, that compliment makes me really happy, because I never saw snow before, nor went skiing, but I found out that I have skills in skiing! The second day skiing, at the bunny hill, I tried something new—backward! and yes, I did it. So Dustin and Alisa wanted to go to the mountain so badly, so I went with them. A lot more challenging track was waiting halfway up the mountain! I did fall a couple of times, but fortunately I didn’t break anything.

The second time we tried the same track, and I didn’t fall at all. The end of the day we made a decision to get to the top of the mountain, in the dark. And, yes! we did it! without any falling. and the view from the top is just really amazing! The last day we even tried a harder track, and I tried the tree track and the ramp; it’s just nothing but fun!

Before I didn’t know why people are willing to pay so much money only for skiing, but now I know, that skiing is really addicting. but Kansas doesn’t have skiing because it usually doesn’t get that much snow, but I love skiing and I miss it. last, I would like to say thanks to my Host Family who brought me to Colorado and the YES program to make this story possible to be written here. In other words, thanks for giving me a chance to try something new and to find a new life here, in the USA.

Photo by Baya Ingas, taken at the top of mountain, from left: Baya, Alisa Rotman, Dustin Pahls

My Contribution to Global Understanding

Wed Feb 17 00:00:00 +0000 2010

by Salim Abdul-Razak, Ghana 09-10
hosted in Maryland

The celebration of International Education Week was one of the best things i ever did to contribute to international peace and understanding. It is an undeniable fact that i was nervous about my cultural presentation but i never imagined it was going to be so much fun.

The attention, interest and enthusiasm that was given me made me feel that my culture was appreciated, and at the end of my presentation, my american friends had learnt so much about my country, and vice versa. It filled me with so much excitement sharing my culture—including values, ethnicity, dress, food etc and also expressing a lifestyle different from what they knew, but the great part was how we both understood each other, lived and coexisted peacefully. we all had created peace, understanding and harmony that the world needs for global peace.

i had the feeling of not only the knowledge that i was sharing but also the perceptions and mysteries that i was unravelling about my own country. The love, support and cooperation given to me during my presentation has made it one of the best things i ever did.

TEAM is my LIFE

Mon Feb 15 00:00:00 +0000 2010

by Ashreabai Sinarimbo, Philippines 09-10
hosted in Columbia, MD

Before the school start, I already went out for cross country in my school. They were very nice to me, they were very hospitable and friendly. They also have a lot of questions about my country. The day before the school starts, I’m kinda nervous because i thought I will be out of place in each of my classes and eat my lunch alone but it didn’t happen, I have a TEAM who helped me to meet new friends, they introduced me to their other friends. My first day of school wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.

My cross country team is like family. We treat each other like brothers and sisters. Evey night before meets we have a spaghetti dinner which is a lot of fun, we do crazy things like pillow fighting, sharing secrets, play rock band, personalize our shirts, and many things. We also had a sleepover which really rocks! During the meets, we support each other. I miss all of that.

When the fall season ends, i went out for Indoor Track. My Track team is absolutely different from my cross country team. But I hang-out with my friends in cross country who also went out for track. But a few weeks later, I started to feel the spirit of a team. Sometimes, we still run even though there’s snow outside. After we practice, we are staying outside and playing with the snow, have snowball fights, and a lot of crazy things. But the indoor track season is going to end very soon. Our state meet will be the 15th of February.

In spring, I’ll go out for Outdoor Track and I’m expecting a lot of fun things and memories that i will never forget in my entire life.

for those of you who haven’t joined the sport teams in your schools, Spring season is your last chance, don’t let it go. You will really have fun. And for those who already have, good job. just continue it and you’ll never ever regret this.

Snow Day = Sledding

Mon Feb 15 00:00:00 +0000 2010

by Mochammad Sulfadli Arif, Indonesia 09-10
hosted in Kentucky

It was really fun to get snow, especially because i’ve never seen snow before, and also the reason i said that because it’s really pretty outside and we can go sledding.

one morning, after i took a shower and got ready to go to school, i was always waiting for my school bus, but at that time i was wondering why the bus didn’t come yet, and I called my friend. when my friend answered the phone, he sounded like someone just waking up, and i asked “are you ready to go to school ?”, and he said “are you crazy ? school is canceled.” I didn’t even know that we don’t have school, so since that day, I always turn on the TV when I wake up in the morning.

One and a half weeks passed by with snow days, nothing to do at home, and i can’t go anywhere, ‘cause the snow was pouring like crazy outside, so the only thing that you can do for fun is sledding. and that’s really fun.

well, sledding in United States is part of a kids tradition I guess when the snow season or we can say Winter! I’m very thankful to God, cause I’m here in USA where i got a lot of snow, since in my country I’ve never seen snow before.

One day, when school was out because the road was slippery and we couldn’t do much, especially outdoor activity since it’s too dangerous. but, I don’t like to stay home and be stuck like fish in an aquarium. So, I went to my friends house, the twins that became my really close friends in USA, and we just chilled out at their house, playing X BOX and so on, until actually midnight, they decided to go Sledding! and at that time, I’m about ready to drop my head in bed and I said “are you kidding me? it’s night. midnight, and it’s really cold outside.” and they just said “it’s gonna be fun! let’s go!” Well, I’m here in USA as exchange student to learn new stuff, and it’s kinda new, cause I’ve never did it before. So, “Let’s go!"