The Light - An Alumni Publication Fall 2015 | Page 7

YFU on Program

HOW TO MAKE A FAMILY IN JUST SIX WEEKS
Recently returned YFU alumnus Gus Ruppert spoke at
YFU’s 2015 fundraising gala, expressing his gratitude
in being selected as a scholarship recipient and how
his exchange to Japan has inspired him to explore
new paths he previously didn’t know existed. 'My host
parents brought up my going to college and asked how
I planned to pay off student loans. I said that among
other things, I would consider military service. The
conversation continued, but I soon noticed my host
mother hiding her tears. My host father’s eyes welled
up as well, and he said that while enlisting would help
cover the cost of education and serve my country, they
couldn’t stand for me to be in danger... I then realized
that I was not a guest in their house. I was their son.”

A YEAR IN THE LIFE
“This video is made, especially for my peers in the states,
all exchange students and everyone who have made my
exchange year so AWESOME!” View the video she made
to commemorate her year in the US on Facebook.

A BANNER WELCOME
David Vorhees and his wife Mary Ann have hosted
international exchange students for nearly three
decades. Ever since their passion started, they came
up with the idea to place flags in their front lawn to
welcome the international students coming to their
community. The next year, they didn’t know which
countries the students were coming from, so they put
more and more… until 99 flags were placed in front
of their home. “We’ll go on the bus sometimes and
some of the kids are still wiping the tears from their
eyes from the emotion of seeing their country’s flag.”

GERMAN STUDENT BRINGS HUMOR,
SKILLS TO TALLWOOD FIELD HOCKEY
Two days after arriving in the US from Germany, exchange
student Kira Voigt was eager to join Tallwood High
School’s field hockey team. “Two months and ten wins
later, it’d be hard for the team to imagine the season
without her.” The 15 year old from Munich, Germany, had
no idea Tallwood would be her second home and the
Tallwood Lions had no idea they would be standing at
an impressive
10-3 with her.
Kira considers
Tallwood
her second
home. “They all
welcomed me
with open arms
the first day… I
am so glad that
I came here.”
YFU

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