I really want to!!!

Teenage-years... part 1.

We all remember how awkward we could feel, and how big issues were, don't we? ;)

I believe I was one of the quiet girls in elementary and middle school. Never spoke unless spoken to. Had a few friends, but sadly, got a bit bullied by other classmates too. 

Don't know how or why, but when I found folders in school about the exchange experience, I knew that this was the thing for me. Although I quickly realized that my parents couldn't afford it, this just had to happen. I'd gotten a glimpse of the world, and I wanted to be a part of that experience.

From openclipart.org

I remember that I talked a lot to my parents about this. Repeating over and over that if the year with AFS or ANSA was too expensive, could I please join the summer courses with EF in the UK? I guess they thought it was a thing that would pass, but I was determined to make it happen, one way or the other. ;)

All of this must have been while I was in 7.grade (first year of middle school), because I did not submit any applications until I was in grade 9 (last year of middle school).

And luck came my way in the summer between 8. and 9. grade. Some distant relatives from the U.S. visited my family here in Norway, and because I always had this desire in my head, I let them know of my dream. Early in the fall I got a check in the mail, which covered nearly the amount needed for a full year exchange. Oh, joy!!! :)

So, my parents no longer had an excuse to deny my wish, and I started the process of filling out the application forms.

See how important accessibility to information is?! And remember, this was around year 1985, long before you could go online to search for anything. :)

...To be continued!

BENI

AFS? What's that?

"We are AFS'ers
mighty AFS'ers
everywhere we go-o
people want to kno-ow
who we are
where we come from
so we tell them..."

Repeat the song until boredom strikes. :)

This song is imprinted in my spine, I guess, because it pops up every time I hear the question: "AFS - what's that?"

AFS (American Field Service) is a non-profit international exchange organization and a global community of more than 50 Partner organizations that support intercultural learning, principally through exchange programs. AFS has transformed the lives of millions of students, families and individuals with help from AFS Volunteers. (https://www.facebook.com/AFS.org/info)

It actually started during World War 1, by young American men who volunteered as ambulance-drivers in Paris, France. The rest is history, and can be found here: http://www.afs.org/afs-history-and-archives/about-the-archives/archival-collections/

AFS makes the world smaller, gives young people a chance to become a "world-citizen", and by doing so - can help bring peace on earth. Pompous, maybe, but I do believe that the experience changes the youngsters in a positive way. Why, it did to me!! :)

I have been known to say that every teenager of the world should get this opportunity. You simply can not go to war on someone you have shared this experience with!

"My brothers and sisters of the world" is how I used to describe the AFS'ers from my area in Pennsylvania, USA, after I got back home to Norway. I have a feeling that we would still have that same connection now, after almost 25 years apart and living on different continents...

When I bring out my photo-albums from my exchange-year, I smile. Big time! Sure, there were times that wasn't fun or that made me long for home, but that would have happened at home too... The positives far outnumber the negatives!!!!

"From east to west - AFS is the best!" and "AFS means the world to me" are two sayings in my photo-album. That sums it up for me... :)

Love, Beni

The foreign exchange student-experience

Yes, I am an AFS'er. For life.

My year? 1989/90 from Norway to Pennsylvania, USA.

I'd like to make this blog a trip down "memory-lane", but also a way to describe how the year abroad affected me and my life thereafter.

If I find some interesting blog posts from exchange-students of today, who's to say I won't have a comment or two as well...

So, enjoy my "ramblings" and maybe a picture now and then.

If you are thinking about becoming an exchange-student, DO NOT HESSITATE - GO FOR IT!!!

Love, Beni