newsletter-jennie-fouts-february-2007

February 2007
Dear Students and Host Families,
Quite a wild, winter so far, don’t you think?
We began with lots of wind, rain and flooding.
Just when you thought everything was cleaned
up and back to normal…down went the temperature
and along came the ice. And just so you wouldn’t
get too relaxed and comfortable; more cold weather,
snow and ice. For our students who normally live
south of the 30° Parallel; all this snow is new
and fun and oh boy….sledding! So Cool!
AHHHH!!! SNOW!!!!!
Sara/Colombia “Her First Snow”
with host sister Alyssa
Yohei/Japan sledding
Malina/Germany snowboarding
Students, those of you who have begun new classes…good luck and have fun. The first or second report
cards are coming out and you have a good idea how the American schools work. For some of you it is
different and difficult. Please ask your host family, schoolmates and teachers for help. Everyone wants to
help you succeed; if you also want to give it your best. For some of you, the schools are not so hard and this
gives you time to do an excellent job on your work, and also to participate in sports, clubs, music, arts and
volunteerism. Make this year in America the best that you can. You can make it happen, that everyone you
meet will say, “Wow, did you meet that guy/girl from ______? They are so cool. I hope I can go to their
country some day.” LEAVE A POSITIVE IMPRESSION BEHIND!
Host Families, you have learned so much. Maybe even a few things new about teenagers. How they can all
be the same, no matter where they were born. And then again, how different people of the same age can
think BECAUSE they were raised in a different culture. Thank you again host families for your joy,
patience, car rides, forgiveness, support, attendance at school functions, smiles and appreciation shown to
your students.
We are placing new students right now for the 2007/2008 school year. If you, your neighbor, family member
or friend would like to host; please contact your AC or me right away.
Look inside for news of our CHI TRIP TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND CAMP CASEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennie

The State Capitol Trip is fast approaching.
Please share the flyer enclosed. Let us know if you’re coming!!!
Students….By now all of you have been busy getting involved in your schools and
communities. Adjusting to this new life takes some time. Remember to spend a majority
of your evenings and weekends with your host family. They made it possible for you to
be here. Having fun with your new friends is very important, but always check with your
family before making plans. Speak with your family daily, ask questions, share your
thoughts.
Families….Dividing your time between your own daily activities, family members,
including your student can be a challenge. But a fun one! Please try to have a family
calendar available so each person can look and see what is coming up. Weekly family
meetings are helpful in some situations: to discuss plans, compliment good deeds, air
out differences and anything else that may come up. Sometimes it’s hard to find the
time to talk. It can be as easy as turning off the TV, visiting at dinner or before bed.
Spring is just around the corner…
Pia/Germany and
Winnie the Pooh in Disneyland
Elisabeth/Germany,
Saori & Hiromi from Japan
In Seattle
Dr. Linda K. Smith, Principal at
W. F. West High School shared
some news about An/Belgium:
“An has made a positive
impression on Mrs. Ardington.
Recently she told me that An is
an active classroom
participant who demonstrates
excellent citizenship, good
classroom leadership and
academic excellence in
Psychology class. An’s effort
and good citizenship are
appreciated by her teachers.
January Birthdates
3 AC Lori
7 AC Erin
19 Viviane Stromberg
27 Maria Schmuckova
29 Taeyong In
February Birthdates
14 AC Marnie
16 Susanne Schaffer
20 Nina Mjomen
22 Martin Belan
23 Pia Schaefers
24 AC Jennie
26 An Wuyts

DATE CHANGE *** DATE CHANGE *** DATE CHANGE
George Washington
State Capitol Trip
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Enjoy visiting with your friends in a relaxed atmosphere. We will tour the State
Capitol buildings and Memorials with time for pictures of this historic area. Walk
downtown (weather permitting) to see the International Store, water fountain and
boardwalk. Then finish up the afternoon at Area Administrator Jennie Fouts’ home.
Meet us near the north steps of the Capitol in Oly 9:45am.
Pick up 3:30 at Jennie’s home, 5202 Sleater Kinney Road NE.
Phone on March 10: Gaile Brown at 877-306-8291.
Carpools: With host families, please coordinate with your Academic Coordinator
Students: pay your driver $5.00 for gas
See reverse side for directions
RSVP: Call Jennie at 1-800-861-5523 or in Olympia 438-1996

DATE CHANGE This was scheduled for March 3…We are now
meeting on MARCH 10 – MARCH 10 – MARCH 10 – MARCH 10
To the State Capitol:
From I-5 driving to Olympia take exit #105 State Capitol. Follow the signs to the State Capitol, not to
the Port of Olympia.
Drive into the campus, parking either behind the Information Office or parallel park along the
driveways leading in.
Meet us on the north steps of the domed building at 9:45am.
To downtown Olympia:
From the State Capitol campus turn left onto Capitol Way, heading down the hill. Walk or drive
about 8 blocks and turn left on 5 th Avenue. Walk one block and we will look in on the small
International Store. Then we will walk behind it to the water fountain and then across the street to the
boardwalk. If students want to shop a bit, we may do so. Otherwise we will get back into cars and
drive to Jennie’s home.
To Jennie’s:
From the State Capitol drive north (downhill) on Capitol Way to 4 th Ave. Turn right on 4 th heading
east. When you see the U-Haul Sign(1+ mile) and Chambers St. or Sawyer St., turn left. Turn right
on South Bay Road and continue 2+ miles to a blinking red light and turn left on Sleater Kinney Road.
At one mile look for 5202/gray two story house on the right.
To I-5 from Jennie’s:
From Jennie’s turn left out of driveway. Drive four miles.
To head south on I-5, drive across Martin Way and enter the freeway on your right, southbound.
To head north on I-5, turn left on Martin Way and drive 1 mile and enter the freeway on your left,
northbound.

Rocio/Mexico
Stephanie/Germany, host sister
Jaymie and friend, opening presents
and all dressed up
Host mom Corinne Jarvis sent pictures of Malina/
Germany taken while the family traveled to California
during the winter break.. They spent time in San Francisco
sight seeing. Malina had her first experience snowboarding.
The “Bank of Dad” t-shirt was a big hit! Malina is also
pictured with friends during the CHI all day trip in Seattle.

Sledding in the
mountains
With host brother’s
daughter Carly
Gibbeum/Korea “Pajama Party” >>>>>
and near the Christmas tree.
* * * * * * *
Lorenzo/Italy, Stefano/Italy, Neil/Belgium watching a soccer game on the Italian TV channel. The Genoa
flag (Stefano’s team) can be seen in the right corner of the picture. Host mom Sary-Jo Averill says they are
the three GREATEST boys.
“If you find a path with not
obstacles, it probably
doesn’t lead anywhere.”
Frank A. Clark
Cultural Homestay International is a non-profit educational
exchange program founded in 1980 to promote international
understanding, friendship, and goodwill through cultural and
student exchanges.

Ridin’ on the Bus to Seattle for sightseeing, shopping and visiting
other CHI students
Nam/Viet Nam
Hiromi O./Japan
Saori/Japan >>>>>>>>
Front:
Franziska/Germany
Monica/Norway
Middle:
Yohei/Japan
Thais/Brazil
Back:
Go/Japan
and
Back Row:
Sergio/Colombia
Sara/Colombia
Front Row:
Charlotte/Belgium
and
Dasa/Slovakia
AC Gaile & grandson>>>
Kelli, Gaile’s daughter, and son Gavin >>>>
AC Marnie and
friend Sherri
"Forever is a long time, but not as long as it
was yesterday."
-Dennis H'Orgnies
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in
rising every time we fall."
-Confucius

Front Row:
Su/China and Poliana Brazil
Back Row: AC Lori with son
Rochelle and Mike
Host Parents for Natalia
Back row:
Se/Korea and
Gibbeum/Korea
It was a
chilly
but
beautiful
day in
Seattle
where
more
than 120
CHI
students
and
families
had
dinner
at the
Spagetti
Factory!
Front row:
Zhu/China and
Host sister Michelle
“If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not taking risks,
and that means you’re not going anywhere. The key is
to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you
have
more chances to learn and win.”
John W. Holt, Jr.
Susanne/Germany & Stefano/Italy
Enkzaya/Mongolia, AC Sarah, Pia/Germany

Friendship
“We discovered in each other and
ourselves worlds, galaxies, a
universe.”
Anne Rivers
Siddons
“Familiarity breeds content.”
Front Row:
Nichawan/Thailand
Marco/Italy
Back Row:
Neil/Belgium
Lorenzo/Italy
Olivier/Belgium
Alan & Donna hosting Diana/Colombia
Diana/Colombia with host brother Lewis
Jorge/Colombia & host brother
Laurentius/Germany
ACs, Sarah & Marnie
hamming it up
Brazilians Luiza and Giovanna

Nichawan/Thailand and
Olympic High School cross
country team members, Tina,
Rebecca, Stephanie, Jessica,
Annika and Kelly .
Nichawan and Olympic High
School Band members Ruthie,
Tina, Pam and Annika
Nichawan/Thailand (in blue)
and friends at the school
Homecoming Dance, pictured
with friends Pam, Tina,
Francis, Esther, Mimi and
Birthdays (A bit late)
November
4 Sergio Diaz
5 AC Nancy
5 AC Sarah
12 Olivier Masscheley
25 Nichawan Jarutawai
28 AC/AAA Gaile
December
Sara/Colombia with
host sister Alyssa
with host family
and
at the 5 th
Avenue
Theater in
Seattle to See “A White Christmas.”
7 Hai Chuan Hu
15 Go Kubota
27 Mauricio Caicedo
27 AAA Sharon

Who’s Who
and
What’s What
Lisa/Germany loves drama. She has joined the Honor
Society and is helping tutor students in German, Spanish
and history.
Go/Japan enjoys fishing with his host Dad.
Math is his favorite subject. He will be signing
up for baseball in February.
Withanee/Thailand thought she would explode from all of the
food her host family had at a Dutch party on New Year’s Day.
She did not enjoy the cold weather and only went outside when
necessary.
Nichawan/Thailand is “getting married” in her Lifestyle class.
She enjoys the exchange student club and the activities they
participate in. She had fun riding the carousel in Seattle and
seeing “White Christmas” at the 5 th Avenue Theatre.
Charlotte/Belgium enjoyed experiencing
a very different Christmas. She plays in the
school band at basketball games.
Stephanie/Germany enjoys playing tricks on her host sister.
Christmas was fun, although she thought the family got up too
early! She got to try a new dish called “Hot Pot” with another
exchange student.
Viviane/Germany is spending a lot of time working on a
current events project that is due in January.
Marko/Slovakia had a wonderful time traveling with his host
family to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs,
Hollywood and the Big Sur. He did some rock climbing at
Joshua Tree National Park. His host dad says he is a jokester.
Laurentius/Germany had a great Christmas with his host
family, traveling to Eastern Washington to visit extended
family. He and host brother Jorge from Colombia enjoy
spending time together.
Gilles/Belgium went snowboarding at Snoqualmie Mountains.
Dasa/Slovakia and her host family spent a weekend in the
The holidays were different than he is used to at home. He
family cabin at Mt. Hood. Host dad said that “though she is
spent a lot of the time with friends during vacation.
very quiet and reserved, a very smart young lady is inside her.”
Rocio/Mexico spent a week in Disneyland with her host
family. She loves to cook and her host family enjoys what she
fixes. She continues to be involved with the youth group at
church. She went on a New Years Eve cruise.
Elisabeth/Germany and her host family took a car trip thru
Idaho, Montana and into Canada .
She had a good time in Banff
National Park. There was lots of
snow and a hot springs. She
enjoyed hiking. She has joined the
Debate Club at school.
Pia/Germany has gone skiing with her outdoor literature class.
Their next trip will be to ski at Mt. Hood in Oregon. She is
active on the basketball team and was recently involved with
the equestrian team practice. She had her first experience on a
Western saddle.
Jorge/Colombia enjoys sharing
his Homestay Program with host brother
Laurentus from Germany. He loves his involvement with the
extended host family in Eastern Washington. Host mom, Jorge
and Laurentius went to Seattle for a musical concert. He said it
was awesome .
Sergio/Colombia earned the Most Valuable Player award in
tennis at school. He will try out for soccer.
Christmas was filled with food and presents,
including those sent by his mother from
Colombia and the host family. He hopes to
begin weight training after school.
An/Belgium and her family went on a Caribbean cruise. They
went snorkeling, biking, exploring and shopping. She plans to
travel with her host family to Las Vegas and Chicago soon.
Ho Jun/Korea has submitted applications to 4 colleges. He is
planning a school mission trip for spring. He loves to play
poker and watch movies. His host family took Ho Jun to see
“The Nutcracker” ballet in Seattle. His holidays were filled
with fun and lots of food and presents.
Taeyong/Korea is involved in weight lifting and likes to run to
stay in shape. He keeps busy at church and with youth group
activities. He helps in the Care Kitchen. His favorite food at
the Christmas party was cherry cheese cake.
Natalia/Colombia says she is freezing . She may need to wear
extra sweaters and put another blanket on her bed. She enjoys
spending time with fellow CHI student Se Hee.

Susanne /Germany opened Christmas
presents while on the phone with her natural
parents. She has enjoyed snowboarding at
White Pass and Crystal Mountain. Due to the winter storm
she was able to catch up on sleep since school started late.
Nam/Vietnam has been encouraging by his AC to join a
club at school and reach out to make friends. He had fun
decorating holiday cookies with his AC and other students.
Luiza/Brazil volunteered at the nursing home where her host
mother works, talking to the residents and putting up holiday
decorations.
Christian/Norway and his host family went to California.
They visited Disneyland and Universal Studios. He will be
trying out for soccer next month. He feels his English is
improving and he is learning now to handle new situations
and new people.
Poliana/Brazil went shopping in Seattle and had dinner with 24
CHI exchange students. She stayed with her AC during the
winter storm and thought it was like “camping” in the house.
Yohie/Japan and his host family chose
their Christmas tree together. New Years
Eve they watched movies at the theatre and
then slept in late the next day. He continues to manage the
boys basketball team and plays ping pong with friends after
school. He received a letterman jacket that he had personally
designed from natural family and host family.
Hiromi O./Japan went to Seattle with friends and attended a fun
concert. She is doing well in school.
Saori/Japan has joined the chess club at school. She had fun at
a Christmas cookie party, making and decorating cookies.
Franziska//Germany enjoys spending time with friends. She
went to Seattle with friends during the winter break.
Jeanette/Norway enjoys spending time with other exchange
students in a club at school. She has been working behind the
scenes for the play “Beauty And The Beast”. She attended a
New Years Eve party with the cast and crew. She loved seeing
the “Nutcracker” with her host mother and host sister.
Pietro/Italy enjoys being a member of
the school jazz band. He went with his
host family to the EMP in Seattle and
had the opportunity to play a Jimmy
Hendrix guitar. He felt honored!
Stefano//Italy received all A’s on his report
card! He enjoyed seeing the Christmas lights
at Spanaway Park, IMAX and Seahawks
game in Seattle. He spent 4 days with friends while his host
parents were away. He has done a lot of skiing. New Year’s
Eve was spent with other exchange students.
Jan/Slovakia helped clean the host family yard after a big wind
storm. He went to a coach’s house for a
Christmas party. They had a gift exchange,
and most of the gifts were joke gifts. He
thought that was interesting.
Martin/Slovakia and his host family took a car trip to
California. They spent time in San Francisco, visiting Pier 49,
Hard Rock Café, and saw sea lions fighting. They also visited
Disneyland and California Adventures, did some body surfing,
visited a mammoth and fossil museum in Hemet and saw the
Redwood Forest. He is working on conditioning for soccer.
Sung Whan/Korea enjoyed taking pictures of his host family in
traditional Korean dress. Christmas and New Years were
wonderful. The family toasted with apple cider.
Marina/Brazil had a going away party and her friends made
her a scrapbook. She went skiing during the winter break.
She saw a Seattle Thunderbirds hockey game.
Malina/Germany, a 5 month student, loved her trip to San
Francisco. There were lots of fireworks for New Years. She
was sad that her Homestay program has ended.
Haichuan/China enjoyed the Christmas holidays. She is
looking forward to playing tennis.
Su//China has been taking skiing lessons. She is a member of
the school choir and her host family attended her concert.
Hiromi M./Japan spent time with her extended family in
Yakima. She rode on the back of a
snow mobile for the first time.
Batsoyombo/Mongolia continues to keep busy with break
dancing. His top class is computer design in which he is pulling
127%!
Nina/Norway is on the school tennis team. She keeps busy
with school choir activities and will be going to Vancouver,
B.C. during the spring break with the choir. New Years Eve
she attended a concert with her host family then went to Seattle
to watch fireworks at the Space Needle.

Lorenzo/Italy is on the school swim team.
He won an award for helping with the
team fundraiser. He spent New Years Eve
at a party with other exchange students.
Monica/Norway is active in Judo. She took first place in a
tournament in Portland, Oregon.
Marco/Italy is doing well with his host family and has signed
up for soccer.
Neil/Belgium has spent some time at Crystal Mountain with
his host family snow boarding. There were lots of parties
with his host family during the holidays. He made Christmas
cookies with other exchange students. He is
putting together a music video for his Broadcasting
Class project.
Fumi/Japan and her family spent 6 days without
power. There was a large family gathering for the
holidays.
Ji Hoon/Korea is working with a study book to help with word
building. He loves going to the movies, playing games,
participating in youth group and visiting with friends.
Gibbeum/Korea is getting straight A’s in school. She is
playing basketball and working at improving her English.
Olivier/Belgium participated in a Toy Drive for children. He is
going to the monster truck show in Tacoma. His host brother
arranged for him to have press box tickets for the show.
Lucia/Slovakia attends the teen center several days a week.
She went to a wedding on New Years Eve with friends. Her
natural parents sent her host family a package from Slovakia
for the holidays.
Se Hee/Korea enjoys Spanish class at college. She saw the
play “Scrooge” with her host family and thought it was sad.
Jin Ha/Korea celebrated Christmas Eve with her host family
enjoying food, fun and presents. She spent time in Seattle at
the Space Needle and Pike Place market.
Enkhzaya/Mongolia volunteered during the winter break at a
winter day camp for children. She tried sledding, roller skating
and bowling. She saw the movie “Happy Feet” at the IMAX.
She said it was fun but exhausting.
Diana/Colombia had a nice time during the holidays.
She traveled to White Pass for snow boarding and
playing in the snow.
Mauricio/Colombia traveled to Vermont with his host family
for Christmas. He received ski goggles, clothes and video
games for Christmas. He spent time skiing during the winter
break. He is doing weight training now to prepare for soccer
tryouts.
Giovanna/Brazil, a 5 month student, has returned home and her
host family is very sad. She lived a different life here in the
United States. Her plan is to teach a children’s English class in
Brazil.
Yi-Ju//Taiwan has asked everyone around her to correct her if
she makes a mistake in English. She really wants to improve.
She went to Seattle with her host family during the winter
break. She thought the Zoo lights were amazingly pretty. She
said the aquarium was very different than Taiwan’s.
Thais/Brazil said Christmas was different here than in Brazil.
There was lots of shopping, presents, company and a lot of
food. She had a picnic on the beach during the winter break. It
was cold but fun.
Zhu/China took a car trip to California with her host family.
They had no power for 4 days and the family “camped out” in
the house, reading and playing games by candle light.
Maria/Slovakia and her family went to Colorado. There was
lots of snow, great shopping and she ate buffalo! She went ice
skating and for a carriage ride in Seattle before Christmas.
There were lots of fire works in her neighborhood for New
Years Eve. She will be performing on her guitar in a concert at
school.
Isabel/Spain had a wonderful vacation with her host family.
She stays busy with many friends.

Drawing by Anna/Finland 1999
Dear Students, February 9, 2007
Enclosed you will find the information regarding our weekend at Camp Casey on beautiful Whidbey Island. Past
students have told us this weekend is one of the highlights of their year in the USA.
Camp Casey is a former military camp and is located on a lovely beach. The grounds are very large with areas to
walk, play sports or just relax. The students will be housed in dormitory style housing. Of course the girls will be in
one dormitory and the boys in another. Students are not allowed in each other’s dorms. Beds are in an open space and
everyone will share the bathrooms. The dormitories are heated. Students must bring their own bath supplies, sleeping
bags and pillows. Clean up of the dormitories is expected by all students!
Food will be served in a large “mess” hall. We all have fun making the food together; it is a great chance to get to
know other students. ALL STUDENTS will help with food preparation and clean up. Assignments will be given and
everyone is expected to participate.
On Saturday, we may take the ferry over to Port Townsend or stay in Oak Harbor for their festival. You will be able to
make your lunch or purchase food in town.
On Saturday night, we will have a “talent” show, with everyone performing. You will have part of Friday night and
part of Saturday to put something together (skits, songs, dance, sport demo…) so, make sure you start thinking of ideas
now. You can also bring musical instruments, costumes, etc. The “talent” show has always been one of the highlights
of our weekend. No one needs to have a special talent, just a willingness to have fun and participate.
We share the weekend with some of the CHI students from northern Washington and Oregon, so you will have the
opportunity to meet students from many countries.
You must tell your teachers and/or counselors NOW that you will be out of school on Friday, April 20 th . Make sure
you have permission from your host family too!!
The Camp Casey Weekend is a special time for students to be together and have the time to relax and be yourselves.
We expect rules to be obeyed for your safety and for everyone to treat each other with respect and consideration. Keep
in mind that the adults who go along, do so voluntarily. This is not part of anyone’s job.
I look forward to seeing you there, getting to know many of you and having a wonderful and memorable weekend.
Don’t forget to send in your signed forms along with a check or money order now.
Warmly,
Jennie M. Fouts Area Administrator

CULTURAL HOMESTAY INTERNATIONAL
MULTICULTURAL WEEKEND
Where: Camp Casey, Whidbey Island
Emergency Phone # (360) 678-5050
Jennie’s Cell: 360-701-2233
Gaile’s Cell: 877-564-8291
Dates: April 20, 21 and 22 (no school on Friday April 20)
Meet At:
Departure 4/20
9:00am Olympia/Lacey Park & Ride on Martin Way
Heading South to Lacey I-5 exit 109. Left at bottom of ramp. Go under frwy. Park & Ride is on
the left on Martin Way.
Heading north to Lacey I-5 exit 109. Right at bottom of ramp. Park & Ride is on the left after
you go under the freeway on Martin Way.
OR
10:00am Tacoma LDS Church near Bates College at 2455 South 78 th .
Heading south toward Tacoma I-5 exit 72 nd /84 th . Follow 84 th . Left at light onto Tacoma Mall Blvd.
Right at 78 th . Go to end, church is on right.
Heading north toward Tacoma I-5 exit 84 th . Left at light. Left over frwy. Right at light onto
Tacoma Mall Blvd. 2 blocks, left at 78 th . Go to end, church is on the right.
Return 4/22
5:30pm Olympia/Lacey Park & Ride on Martin Way
5:00pm Tacoma LDS Church near Bates College at 2455 South 78 th .
**Bring or Buy Lunch, We’ll stop on the way**
What to bring: What to bring: What to bring:
_____Sleeping Bag, pillow, towel & shower supplies
_____Insurance Card, photo ID & host family emergency numbers
_____Flash light & extra batteries
_____Camera & extra film & batteries
_____Rain gear, cool weather clothing & an extra pair of shoes
_____C.D.’s or tapes for dance music
_____Musical instruments, games, books, etc.
_____Ideas & items for the group talent show
_____Spending money
**Only one duffle bag allowed!!! Space is limited
**Don’t forget to send back your signed form!