AFS, the way to world understanding

Title

Creator

Quejada, Thelma

Language

English

Year

1966

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Id/alk together, talk together, 0 ye people of the eaith Shen and only then shall ye have peace. ” Shorn ike Sanskrit AFS The Way To World Understanding information gatkeieJ fiom HSfS soulces by THELMA QUEJADA AFS '64-’65 THE FOREGOING is the slogan of AFS. The American Field Service International Scholarship with friendship and increased understanding as its aim started in 1914. It was actually founded as a volunteer ambulance service with the French armies and carried thousands of wounded in World War I. It instituted graduate fellowship for French universities between the wars, and served again in World War II, with the Allied armies. In 1947 it began its new work on the teenage level, 16 to 18 years old — when students are most adaptable, open-minded, and eager to learn. They have been screened, for personality as well as intelligence, in order that the students chosen be those best qualified to make the experience enriching, both for themselves and for all with whom they come in contact with. It has rapidly expanded under the spirited leadership of the late Stephen Galatti and now Arthur Howe, Jr. But its success is due to the AFSers themselves, who proved to be real ambassadors. Since then, thousands of students from more that 60 foreign countries have come to live and attend American secondary schools in more than 2,000 communities for a school year of study and firsthand experience. On the other hand, American teenagers from practically every state, study and live with families abroad — a two-way program of seeing and showing. In this way, youngsters learn to recognize and respect similarities and differences of those who, though they live in different countries, have dreams and efforts similarly directed toward the goal of a peaceful and useful life. AFSers are encouraged to participate wholeheartedly in the life of their American community, where they attend the senior year of high school and live in carefully selected homes as members of their US families on the same basis as the other young people in the home. Theirs is a give and take. AFSers learn about customs, ideals, interests and problems, while on the other hand, their families and communities will also broaden their horizons by the student’s telling of his own country and daily life in his own home. At the end of their school year, bus trips are organized to broaden the student’s picture of the United States. Volunteer groups in communities across the nation are hosts for short parts of the 3-week period, both showing them places of unusual interest and offering their facilities for wholesome relaxation and enjoyment. It is heartwarming to see in addition to the bonds of affection formed among AFS students and the Americans they meet and live with the growth of important friendships among students of many different countries. Though students must leave at the end of their year, they still continue as members of the American Field Service. The returnees, to the limit of their available time, follow through by spreading word of their experiences in articles and speeches, and put into practice wherever they can, what they learned from their time abroad. They form committees to advise on the selecting of future students and institute the American Abroad Program. It is interesting to note that many organization, as well as individuals, contribute to the AFS program which could not have grown as it has without their generous cooperation. Schools waive nonresident tuition and other fees. Family circles are enlarged willingly and without pay to welcome the students, who are treated like the other young people in the home. Communities form volunteer chapters to look after the students and pool their resources to raise the participating contribution for each one. And the general public contributes. Thus, the the American Field Service has the cooperation of many helping hands in its effort to open wide the door to a friendlier world. An American Field Service International Scholarship is an open door which leads to understanding and friendship amongst people of the world. afterwards. Or she can dictate answers to somebody acting as her secretary. She formerly planned to major in English but seems to have changed her mind due to a special liking she developed for her present teacher in Philosophy. If things go the right way, she might major in Philosophy and minor in English. Speaking about hobbies, Leonila collects stamps and derives pleasure from writing letters. She types her letters to sighted friends and writes in Braille to the blind ones. Movies are not a monopoly of visiongifted individuals. Leonila goes to movies also. According to her, some stars have such friendly voices, they must be very pleasant people. To record, what was her happiest experience 1 It was when unexpectedly, she was accepted into the University of San Carlos and was the recipient of a onehundred per cent scholarship. She feels very happy and extremely grateful to the administration of this university. The problems are inevitable and cannot be denied. For instance, how will she manage in a laboratory class, mandatory for Liberal Arts students ? Cooperating with the grace of God, plus the assistance and understanding of the USC people, she is confident in her going through the ordeal. With such determination and courage, she can’t fail. Aug.-Sept., 1966 THE CAROLINIAN Page Seventeen

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