Author: Becky Baughman

Merry Christmas! Schools are closing for the holiday, trees are decorated, stockings are hung, gifts are being wrapped, and families will be coming together for a celebratory dinner. If it’s your first American Christmas, we hope you enjoy many fun activities and traditions over the next several weeks.  

In our house, a favorite Christmas tradition is attending Christmas Eve service at church on December 24. Growing up, the church I attended always had a candlelight service for Christmas Eve. The church would be decorated with lights and Christmas trees, and we would sing Christmas carols. My siblings and I would eagerly wait for the last song, when the lights went down, and finally, we could light our candles, passing the flame down the aisle while singing, “Oh Holy Night.” While we were fascinated watching the flames and trying not to burn ourselves with the dripping wax, I’m pretty sure our parents were nervously watching to make sure all of us kids didn’t let the flames touch the pews! 

After the church service, we would go home and open the gifts inside our Christmas stockings hanging over the fireplace. Our family always liked to put practical gifts into the stockings…like lotion, a book, or even deodorant! We always knew the last item at the bottom of the stocking would be an orange. It was such a joyful time being together as a family, appreciating the small things of life.  

Now that I’m grown and have a family of my own, we are continuing the same Christmas Eve tradition, going to our Christmas church service and opening our Christmas stocking presents. This year, on December 24, our family of 4 will have one more join us as we are hosting a student, too. We are excited to share our family’s traditions with her, especially the joy of opening those little presents that we hide in our Christmas stockings. 

My prayer for you in this Christmas season is that you find joy in the small things and build memories that you will carry with you like I did with my family. Jesus came to earth to bring us eternal joy so this Christmas, may you experience the joy of the Christ-mas season with your host family. 

This month, we give thanks for the many good things God has given to all of us. The very first American Thanksgiving took place in 1621 as a 3-day harvest celebration. With more than 100 attendees, colonists and Native Americans came together to share food and thanks after a very difficult winter, where half of the settlers died from disease and starvation. While turkey was not on that first Thanksgiving menu, there was fish, deer, shellfish, vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, and potatoes, as well as cranberries, walnuts, and grapes. Although there was pumpkin, no one ate pumpkin pie as the settlers did not have access to butter, wheat flour, or an oven to bake the pie! We remember this first Thanksgiving that in good times and in difficult times, there is always much to be thankful for. 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 

Psalm 107:1

Dear AHLI Students,

Welcome to Fall! Unless you live in Florida or California, you will have noticed the cooling weather, changing leaves, and lots of pumpkins popping up in your neighborhood! Hopefully, you have settled into your school routine, and even joined a new club or sport. You may have also realized by now that American high school life is all about balance; students must balance their schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social time with friends, and quality time with family.  

As schools move into the second quarter, it’s a good time to pause and see how you are managing your different responsibilities. While academics should be a priority for you as a student, it’s important to remember that keeping a balance in all areas of your life is essential to stay healthy, mentally and physically. It’s easy to become overly focused on one area and neglect activities and relationships that will help develop you as a young adult. A healthy person balances all the areas below without overindulging in one area more than the others.  

Key Areas to Examine: 

1. SLEEP: One of the most overlooked areas in a teenager’s life is the benefit of sleep. When sleeping, the brain builds new neural pathways, increasing memory. Growth hormone levels are increased, repairing tissues and building muscle. 
2. FRIENDSHIPS: God created us to have relationship with Him and each other. Building relationships with your host family and students at school takes conscious effort. It means you must go out of your way (and comfort zone) to interact with others. The best way to start is by being intentional to ask someone a question about themselves! 
3. HOBBIES: What do you do in your free time? You need an activity that helps you relax and de-stress. Whether your hobby is a solitary or group activity, finding something you enjoy builds positive mental health.  
4. EXERCISE: Most people think exercise means playing a sport, but even just a quick walk around your neighborhood each day can clear your mind and keep your body at a healthy weight.  
5. ACADEMICS: Most international students are surprised to learn that homework in America is an important part of their overall grade. Assignments are not just for practice! It’s critical to give enough time each day to review and complete all your schoolwork. Turning assignments in late will negatively impact your grade more than a poor test score. 
6. SERVICE: Life is about more than just you. You have a lot to be thankful for in your life. Sharing your time, talents and money, not only helps others but benefits you by expanding your worldview. 

Sincerely,

Tiffanee M. Wright, MA, MPH | Executive Director
AHLI – International Education and Homestay

Dear AHLI Students,

For many of you, you’ve already completed 1 month of school. How was the start of school? Was it easier than you expected or more difficult? No matter how much you prepare before your arrival, the adjustment to a new routine with the start of a school year can be different than expected. The staff of AHLI, including your Coordinator, are here to help you when you need a listening ear or have questions about American school or homestay. 

This month, I’d like to talk about an important aspect of American culture: Gratitude. Gratitude is the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It is an essential American value, which Americans display with frequent, friendly words and gestures.  

Ask yourself, in what circumstances do people show gratitude in your culture? Is it typical to say thank you after small interactions such as buying a snack at a 7-Eleven convenience store? Would you say thank you to your teacher after an interesting lesson in the classroom? Or how about saying thanks when your mom prepares the family dinner? In the United States, Americans show appreciation by saying thank you not just for big things, like being given a birthday gift, but also for small, everyday acts of kindness, such as holding the door open for someone else to enter, getting a ride home from sports practice, or washing the dishes. In American culture, we are extra-expressive in saying thanks… in fact, you probably can’t say or show it enough! 

In your country, how would you show gratitude to your family members? It’s important to take a minute and think about how you can demonstrate gratitude to your host family who has welcomed you into their family. To help you be appreciative “American style,” let’s look at 3 easy ways to show gratitude.  

1. Say it: Say thank you often and consistently. You can also express appreciation by saying, “I really appreciate it when you…” pick me up from school, help me with my laundry, or take me to the store.
2. Write it: Americans love sending and receiving cards! You can buy a card for all sorts of occasions in the United States, including thank you and appreciation cards. Many Americans keep such cards as good memories and to show friendship with those around them. Surprise a member of your host family by writing a simple thank you note. You don’t need to mail it… just leave it at a place where they will find it. 
3. Show it: Gratitude is not just an emotion; it’s also an action! Americans show their appreciation by helping each other. When you see one person setting the table for a meal, jump in and help with the task! If you notice that the trash can is full, empty it! After returning from the store, offer to carry the bags into the house. There are a million ways that you can show thanks to your host family!  

This week, find 2 ways that you can say, write, or show your appreciation to your host family. Your family will appreciate it, and you will be on your way to adapting to American Culture! 

Also to all of our Asian students and friends, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Sincerely,

Tiffanee M. Wright, MA, MPH | Executive Director
AHLI – International Education and Homestay

It’s time for a new school year! We are excited for you to start a new year, with new opportunities for new friends, new learnings, and of course, new experiences. On behalf of AHLI, I welcome you to embrace the “new” this year. At times it will feel uncomfortable, but the rewards of trying something new can outweigh the risks. To excel this year, I encourage you to set a goal to focus on. Whether it is your first year or your fourth year with AHLI, we are here to encourage you and cheer you on to be the best you can be. 

New beginnings give us a chance to have a fresh start. We usually say, it’s a “clean slate.” What’s a slate? It’s like a chalkboard that you can write on and then erase if a mistake is made. Last year’s mistakes, hurts, challenges, and problems are wiped away, and the slate is clean for you to start again. Sometimes wiping the slate clean also means letting go of the times when you were hurt or disappointed by someone else.  

The Bible tells us in the book of Psalms, “Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.” God gives us a new opportunity for a new start each day. Your host family, Coordinator, and teachers are all ready and willing to help you make this year a great success.  

We believe that with the right attitude and determination, you are capable of accomplishing much this year. To celebrate all types of accomplishments, AHLI awards a certificate and Amazon gift card each month to a different AHLI Student of the Month. We look for students who try new things, like a sport or participating with their host families, or just being a kind person. I look forward to hearing about your many achievements this year.

I pray that you will have a great year! 

Sincerely,

Tiffanee M. Wright, MA, MPH | Executive Director
AHLI – International Education and Homestay

Check out these videos from graduates, Daniel and Ella:

DANIEL (Grace Brethren High School Graduate)

ELLA (Lancaster Catholic High School Graduate)

The final month of school has arrived. There may be some of you who have been counting down the days of school since January, and these last weeks can’t pass by fast enough. For others, you may be feeling a twinge of sadness as an important year of cultural exchange is coming to an end. As you begin your round of summer goodbyes, I hope you can take a moment and reflect back on this school year. 

What were your highlights of the year? 

• What accomplishment are you most proud of? Did you try a new club, sport or activity? In your academics, was there a test, report, or presentation that represented your best work? 

What was the greatest challenge you faced?  

• Was it learning English quickly enough? Forming new friendships? Staying involved and engaged with your host family? 

What relationships did you focus on this year?  

• Did you grow a deeper friendship with a host sibling? Feel you bonded with one or two friends at school? 

Hopefully, the first question was easy to answer. Without a doubt, there is something (and probably many things) that you feel were successful this year. Whether your accomplishment was publicly recognized or it was a victory you celebrated quietly, recognize that you made strides forward in becoming a better you. But undoubtedly, you also had challenges throughout the year. Whether it was your last year here, your first year, or even your only year in the U.S., you can take what you learned through those challenges and remind yourself that troubles come and go, and you are able to rise above these difficulties.  

Perhaps the most important of the questions is that of the relationships you invested in. Good and bad times come and go, just as good grades and bad grades, but what lasts are the social connections that have been invested in. It is my hope that the friendships you have developed with your classmates, host family, teachers and Coordinators will last long into the future. Tennessee Williams, a famous American playwright, once wrote, “Time doesn’t take away from friendship, neither does separation.” As you transition to the next stage, may you look back on this school year fondly, full of gratefulness and growth.  

Sincerely,

Tiffanee M. Wright, MA, MPH | Executive Director
AHLI – International Education and Homestay

DEVIN

Devin is a junior at Elizabethtown Area High School, where he is involved in the school musical, choir, student council, tennis team, and school newspaper. He has proven himself to be a dedicated student and is known to go out of the way for his friends. He has been working hard to improve his English and broaden his vocabulary. We are proud of you Devin! Keep up the great work!

Two weeks ago, I was able to cross something off my bucket list. What’s a bucket list? It’s all the things you’d like to accomplish or do before “kicking the bucket” (which is slang for dying). I had the opportunity to do several once-in-a-lifetime bucket list items, from crawling to the center of the Great Pyramid of Giza, to taking a hot air balloon ride across the Nile River into the Valley of Kings, to seeing Petra where the classic Indiana Jones was filmed, to walking in the footsteps of Jesus in Nazareth.  

It’s fun to have a list of things you would like to accomplish in both the near and far future. God tells us that we can make plans, but God is the one that brings them to pass. Having goals is a great motivator to keep pushing through challenging or even boring days. Not all items on a bucket list need to be as exotic or grand as the experiences I just described. Visiting a local tourist attraction, trying new food, getting into an exercise routine, or meeting a new friend can be examples of worthy, small goals that can be achieved soon. 

The end of the school year is almost here. For some of you, you will be coming to the end of your time at school, with your host family, or even in the United States. What bucket list items do you want to accomplish before you finish out this year?

 

Sincerely,

Tiffanee M. Wright, MA, MPH | Executive Director
AHLI – International Education and Homestay

Daniel

Daniel is a senior at Grace Brethren, where he is Student Body President and involved in the math club. He recently was honored at an awards ceremony for his high scholastic achievement, earning a GPA of 4.57. He also gives generously of his time, volunteering at the local hospital last semester and helping others whenever an opportunity arises. We are proud of you Daniel! Keep up the great work!