9/9/2008 - Ten Year Reunion : Returnees Reunite in Russia
Ten years ago, 14 AFS exchange students made a pact with one another: They would return to Russia, their host country, in ten years to check in with their families and one another, relive old times, and create new memories.
This August, the students made good on their promises and spent almost two weeks reliving the AFS experience that shaped their lives.
The reunion, almost a year in the making, was arranged by the Returnees with support from AFS Russia. The 14 students, now in their late 20’s, hail from Italy, Norway, USA, Venezuela, Brazil, and New Zealand. Once in Russia, the group had a busy schedule: Reuniting with their host families and AFS volunteers, visiting their former schools, and speaking of their experiences at a press conference covering their reunion. The Returnees also participated in Arrival camp and orientation activities for new group of AFS students. AFS Russia is happy to report that “All of them speak Russian as if they left Russia yesterday… it was really a very exciting, touching and emotional event.”
Here is what the Returnees had to say:
“Certainly the best year of my life ever, there I met a lot of friends I couldn’t ever imagine, learn a new culture and share unforgettable times. In Venezuela I graduated as a Doctor, and right now I’m making a residence in Obstetrics (bring new babies to the world). I have waited all this years to meet again with my friends and make come true that promise we made each other at Leningradskiy Bokzal 10 years ago… To meet and repeat those great times again.”
Rafael Dautant, Venezuela
“I had a fantastic year in Russia with AFS, and stayed with a wonderful family in Klin. I learned a lot about myself, and I also learned about the Russian culture and the culture of the other AFSers. I got friends for life, and have traveled around the world and visited some of them. And I still have plans to travel more. The year in Russia is the only reason why I later decided to study Russian language and social science, which is a main part of my career. The year as exchange student in Russia changed my life forever.”
Helen Tonnenssen, Norway
“It is very hard to summarize my AFS experience for the past 10 years, but one thing I do know is that I believe it did change my life, and I would not be where I am today if I had not gone on AFS to Russia. It was a challenging year with very rewarding moments and I came out of it with a new outlook and respect for life. The experiences that I had on AFS have stayed with me throughout my life, and I believe they will continue to. Just like how we are coming back to Russia for our 10 year reunion to meet up with our family and friends again, it’s great, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it all. By the way Russia helped me to choose my way. I graduated with a Masters in Science and currently work for the University of Otago as a Research Assistant looking at ‘Exposure and Effects of Hydrogen Sulphide on Rotorua Residents’.”
Kataraina George, New Zealand
“Well, I can tell you that my life is divided into two parts: my live
before my AFS experience and after that wonderful dream… I won a lot of good qualities, first of all, two new languages Russian and English, then a new family, new friends all over the world, and I also learned to value my own family and my culture. My dearest host family will be forever my Russian Mama, papa, brother, sister, aunt and uncle, grandpa and grandma and I will be forever their Venezuelan daughter. Now I think my heart has grown because I love Venezuela, I love Russia, I love Russian people and Russian culture, and I also love all the countries and cultures of my AFS friends.”
Lorena Maldonado, Venezuela
“AFS was the best thing my parents could have ever done for me!! Russia! This is something that I recommend. This was an outstanding experience. I learned to respect and to deal with cultural differences, met people and made friends from all over the world, developed my communication skills and had the opportunity to meet a lovely family and a wonderful county where I learned how to love.”
Waleska Milazzotto, Brazil
“I was Nicola Cristiano until August 1997, when I became Kolya…Kolya Kristianov or Kolya Belov (this is a last name of my host family)…. or just Kolya…and these nicknames represent all the teachings I received in Russia, all the faces I saw, all the experiences I went through, the flavours and the colours that became part of myself. During my AFS experience not only was I enriched by many people I met and many things I saw and learned, but I also gained the tools to look at my life back home from a different point of view, with a broader mind, with fewer prejudices. AFS fills your heart with friends all over the world… AFS is a family I’m proud to be part of !”
Nicola Cristiano, Italy
“I am so glad that I had an opportunity to be an exchange student in Russia and to face so many situations that made me to grew up in a very positive way. I wish I could describe with words my feelings and what my experience means for me…Maybe I can use words: friendship, learning, adventure, respect, understanding, patience, objectivity, happiness, diversity, homesickness, peace, support, freedom, brotherhood, struggle, fortitude, love…to try to express what my heart feels when I remember my days in Russia. This experience taught me to value the little things of life and to love people just for what they are. I’ll be always grateful to my family, to my host family, my school in Alexandrov, AFS volunteers, AFS Russia and AFS Venezuela and of course to my beloved AFS friends for all Love and Support I received. I am so happy to be a part of a big AFS family!”
Daniela Salsedo, Venezuela
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