Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-07-18
Exchange Students
On Way To Homes
Will Miss America
BY Robin Dorr
Sentinel Reporter


mo, no, / do not wish to
leave my America" the young
ster wept, II may never see my
American mother again."
Nadia Bailo is leaving on
Friday, flying to her native
Italy. She was typical of II
other teenagers who arrived In
Rockville, Monday, and will
leave this country after a years
stay. Their destination-over
Sc foreign countries.
The 70 high school students
are participants in The Ameri-
can Field Service international
Scholarships exchange program.
Montgomery County is "homev.
this week, to 1910 ATS students
who have attended senior high
school classes in over 1000
American communities. There
were 1850 ATS representatives
in the Washington and subur-
ban areas.
The students lived with Amer.
lean families while attending
school, and in one years time
the youngsters had grown to
love their adopted homes, ana
spoke warmly Of my American
mother"
mo, no. We are not anxious
to return home," two Japanese
students agreed sadly. Ken
Takenchi observed, you Ameri.
cans would be surprised to know
how many of us would rather
stay here. 1t Is a good way of
life" Miss Harumi Hirano,
added This is our home now,
and we will very much miss our
American family"
These sentiments were spoken
by students from Japan, where
centuries of traditions have
been tightly bound by strong
parental ties. The impact Of
this unique people-to-people
foreign student exchange could
not have been more graphically
demonstrated.
The Rockville contingent ar.
rived at the Richard Montgonn-
cry High School for the five-day
visit to Metropolitan Washing
ton.
The students were torn be-
tween inconsistencies for their
newly-adopted American fam
lilies, and excitment at the pro-
spect Of meeting President Ken.
nedy.
Finland-born He'll vuoristo.
blond, dimp1ed and cheerful as
cricket, squeeled with delight
at the prospect Of seeing the
President Thursday morning.
100000! He Is so very hand
some, this President Kennedy"
she cooed.
The President would have
won a unanimous vote of APP
proval among the youngsters,
but for Left Sorenson of Den.
mark. Looking more like a
bronzed Viking warrior than a
high school student, the young
Dane stated fatty, II have met
Sen. Heating. there Is only
one step higher to go. wish to
meet Sen. Goldwater. I am con-
sentative, or can you guess?"
A Scandinavian neighbor,
took issue with Left. ooh, yes,
/ am looking forward to meet.
ing this great President Ken.
nedy. No, / am not homesick
for Norway, why should / be?
l am home right here In Amer
ica!" A career in Norwegian tele-
vision is his ambition. The six
foot-four blonde youth sported
a natty black ten-gallon hat, and
cowboy shirt complete with
cow-hide string tie.
When asked II he picked up
the western motif here he said,
mo ] wear this in Norway.
Why? Because no one else does.
/ like to be different"
The school grounds, on Mon.
day looked and sounded like a
miniature gathering Of the UNI
delegates. Mail call had just
been received and the teenagers
were excitedly reading letters
from their American families.
A statuesque beauty, Debbie
Cebeyehu, was so busy reading
her adopted mothers letter
that she had neglected to open
mail from friends and relatives
in her native Ethiopia. For
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