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Learning and Embracing Different Cultures

Fatima Al Mutawa Bahrain Observer Article

This article was originally published in The Observer newspaper

By Nicole Gugino, Observer Staff Writer

SILVER CREEK - Silver Creek Central School has had a unique opportunity this year - to host four foreign exchange students from all over the world.

In the past the district has hosted one or two foreign exchange students per year, but this year has the opportunity to host four.

Jason Mirek, special education teacher and AFS International Club leader, said he thinks it is a great learning opportunity for the school and the community.

"It's a great experience for the students and the community," he said.

The four students, Fatima Al Mutawa from Bahrain, Nataliya Vasilyeva from Russia, Wariya Philuek from Thailand and Komal Hira from Pakistan, have become professionals at giving presentations in the month and a half they have attended the school.

Mirek said that during just the month of November they will have presented to every history class in the school.

A presentation on Tuesday was for Mr. Norton's third and fourth period sixth grade classes. The class listened as the girls took turns introducing them to their home country and what their life is like at home.

Nataliya, or "Natalie," explained about her home country of Russia and the differences in life there. She explained Privet means "hello" and described the weather, her school, holidays and her home of Kolomna.

Fatima, or "Fay," spoke about her country of Bahrain next. She explained it is an island near Saudi Arabia. Most of the population is Muslim, like herself. She explained the country's government, money, traditions and food.

She also explained the head scarf she wears "for modesty and privacy."

Fay explained how she was able to come to Silver Creek through the YES Program. The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides scholarships for secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the U.S.

Komal was also involved in the YES Program and explained about Pakistan to the class. She described the meaning of the flag, the religion, how she knows three languages - the provincial language, the national language and English, as well as dress, landscape and traditions.

Wariya described the country of Thailand focusing on the government, the Buddhist religion and the spicy food as well as the festivals.

The students were particularly interested in how the money of the countries converts to dollars, why Fay and Komal wear a head scarf and about the Islamic religion in general.

"It is a way for our students to learn about other cultures, broaden perspectives and appreciate diversity ... For many students it is a way to break down stereotypes and create a greater global understanding ... Students gain a deeper understanding of the differences between our cultures, but also gain a broadened sense of being part of a global community," Mirek said.

He also explained that the girls have presented to many community groups with the help of Sue Erdle, host mother and AFS community liaison.

When they were asked what is different from their home countries and Silver Cree, all of them said the culture and the food.

Komal said that at first she was nervous to wear casual American clothing, as she is used to the dress typical in Pakistan. She also said she misses the food from home, so she makes some familiar dishes for her host family.

One of the biggest differences that all the girls were excited about was the snow - Komal, Fay and Wariya had never seen snow before the recent storm.

Natalie said she thought the people in America are more open than in Russia.

"People are just more open here than in Russia. When I first came here everyone was smiling ... It is just such a sweet, small school. Everybody already knows me," she said.

Mirek said one of the biggest challenges is finding host families and that it can be an enriching experience. For more information about hosting an exchange student or AFS contact Jason Mirek at Silver Creek Central (934-2603) or go to the AFS website www.afs.org to find out more about the program.

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