ASSE-International NEWS

And Where Are You From?
“I AM FROM MOLDOVA!”

Submitted By: Marcella Florea, Moldova

Not long ago this answer resulted in an enigmatic smile and pinched eyebrows followed by a Wikipedia look-up. There she blows between the Ukraine and Romania, by the Black Sea, a country whose borders, over the centuries, have moved more dramatically than a recidivist, champion weight-watcher. Nowadays Moldovans, happy, bright eyed and earnest, have arrived. But what is it to be a Moldovan?

A Day in the Life of a United States Congressman
Submitted By: Karina Medvedeva, ASSE FLEX Exchange Student hosted by the Kosar Family of Oakton, VA, USA

I spent my day with Congressman Mr. Michael Ferguson from New Jersey. I got to know him through my classmate Elizabeth Santorum, the daughter of former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ferguson was very nice to agree to the appointment and to take time to help me experience such a wonderful and useful time. First I will write some facts about Mr. Ferguson.

The True Meaning of Christmas
Submitted By: Wenbo Li (China), ASSE Exchange Student hosted by the Gilbert Family in Durant, TX, USA

My first Christmas with the Gilbert family in Texas USA was an unforgettable experience. It was not until I experienced it that I realized that Christmas is not all about eating or decorating. To some extent it is just like the Chinese New Year though it has its own cultural identity.

RING, RING, RING! Once Again... We’re calling All ASSE
Exchange Students!

We randomly called the following students and asked them, “Now that you have been in your host country for a few months, what do you like best about school and why?”

ASSE Exchange Student Enjoys Life in Portugal
Submitted By: Randi Uhl, ASSE Exchange Student from Canada

On September 13th, I left my small town in Southern Alberta to embark on a journey that would hopefully impact the rest of my life. I will be living in Portugal for a total of ten months, going home on June 20th. My main goals for this experience are to understand and live a different culture, to gain a different perspective of life, to have the chance to see outside of my small world back home, to learn a new language, and to acquire a new sense of self.

Celebrating Christmas in Portugal
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HELPING WITH A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Submitted By: Christina Schneemann

Christina Schneemann, an ASSE CBXY Exchange Student from Munich, Germany, has become totally involved in every aspect of life in Traverse City, Michigan, USA, where she lives with the Davis family. Not only is Christina enjoying life with her ASSE host family, but as a student at St. Francis High School, she ran with the cross country team in the autumn and is on the pom and dance team this winter.

A Speech Contest – In Japanese

On December 15, 2007, PIEE Japan, ASSE’s counterpart in Japan, sponsored a speech contest in Osaka for exchange students staying in the Kansai area of Hyogo, Osaka and Kyoto. Eight participants impressed the judges and audience with their Japanese language skills and enthusiasm for the competition. Host families, area representatives, host school teachers and friends attended and each guest served as a judge.

“THE DISH”
Submitted By: Minori Nabeshima (Japan), ASSE Exchange Student hosted by the Foster Family in Philomath, OR, USA

Bring the flavors of Japan into your home by trying this traditional dish found in many Japanese households.

HOST MOTHER REFLECTS ON POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
Submitted By: Susan Mauro, ASSE Host Mother from Laurel, MT, USA

ASSE Exchange Student Martin Lippert came to us here in Laurel, Montana from Germany in September of 2007. To say he has become part of our family would be an understatement.

ASSE Alumni Find Love After Exchange

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program alumni from 2000- 2001 reconnected years after their exchange to Germany and are engaged to be married. Matt Fisher and Kristina Wollaeger met as excited new exchange students with the ASSE International CBYX Program in 2000. They both traveled to Washington, D.C. for a pre-departure orientation to prepare for the upcoming adventure they were about to embark on to Germany.

ASSE News is published three times a year. It is provided free of charge to ASSE participants, host families, representatives and other friends of ASSE. Any copyright material is published with the written permission of the publisher and is so indicated. Any other material may be used for publication without permission of ASSE.