LPHS Receives the “2013 Top AFS High School Student Exchange School” Award

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 20, 2013
Contact:
Traci Larson-Lee
847-329-4676
tlarson-lee@afsusa.org

Chicago’s Lincoln Park High School Receives the
“2013 Top AFS High School Student Exchange School” Award

Lincoln Park High School (LPHS) has been selected to receive the “2013 Top AFS School” award from AFS-USA, a leader in international high school student exchange program. Schools honored with this inaugural award have partnered with AFS in a variety of ways to foster global citizenship through intercultural learning—both inside and outside of the classroom—from hosting international students, sending students abroad, and working with AFS-USA to incorporate intercultural and experiential learning opportunities in the curriculum. You can view the entire list of honored schools at www.afsusa.org/educators.

The high schools selected from around the country for this public recognition are making a profound difference in the lives of students and in society at large. The ability to speak another language, to navigate in a different cultural context, and to marshal a global perspective are skills that today’s students need to succeed in our increasingly interdependent world.

When notified of the award, Lincoln Park High School Assistant Principal Elizabeth Brown said:
“What a wonderful surprise for Lincoln Park High School to be named one of the 2013 Top AFS Schools! We truly value our partnership with AFS and the impact our exchange students have at Lincoln Park is incredible. From sharing their cultures, languages and international perspectives with our students and staff, to participating in everything LPHS has to offer, our AFS students are a special part of the school community and we are honored to host them each year. We look forward to continuing our partnership with AFS and helping to build relationships between young people from around the world.”

In addition, current Lincoln Park High School AFS students had the following thoughts about their AFS experience at the school:

Yousra Nakkach (Morocco)
“It’s always been my dream to come to the United States and thanks to AFS this dream became true, but also thanks to my great school LPHS I got the chance to experience the real American high school life and get all the support and help to succeed in my school year.”

Bassel Hamoud (Israel)
“Lincoln Park has been so special to me! I learnt how to get along with people from different cultures. I also got to know how different education systems work, and made a lot of friends! My experience at Lincoln Park High School is just great!”

Miranda Fiedler (Switzerland)
“Since I was here in Chicago, Lincoln Park High School became something like the center of my exchange student life. It is here where I spend most of my time and learn new things every day and it is here where I met most of my friends and I’m still meeting a lot of new interesting people; the diversity at LPHS is fantastic. … I think every exchange student who gets to go to LPHS will have a great experience, because at LPHS there are so many different people that everyone will find some friends.”

Ninon Pechinot (France)
“Lincoln Park High School is a great place to be involved in. Teachers and students are so welcoming to us. Everyone here is from a different country, so they can understand better the cultural changes that we are facing. Lucky are the next AFS students who are going to be placed here!”

Pictured (Left to right): LPHS AFS Students Miranda Fiedler, Ninon Pechinot, Bassell Hamoud, Yousra Nakkach, LPHS Vice Principal Elizabeth Brown

“We’re so thankful and proud to work in educational partnership with schools like Lincoln Park High School,” said Tonya Muro, the Director of School Outreach at AFS-USA. “Today’s AFS is so much more than international educational exchange. Together with schools, AFS is bringing global competencies and key 21st century skills to students, teachers, and the greater community.”

AFS is looking for families to host exchange students for the 2013/14 school year at Chicago area schools. For more Information or questions, contact:
Linda P. Mellis, Volunteer, AFS Chicago Coordinator, 773-327-9123, lpmellis@gmail.com
Traci Larson-Lee, 847-329-4676, TLarson-Lee@afs.org

About AFS
AFS (formerly the American Field Service), a worldwide, nonprofit organization, has been leading international high school student exchange for more than 65 years. Each year, AFS-USA sends approximately 1,000 US students abroad, provides $3 million in scholarships and financial aid, and welcomes 2,300 international high school students who come to study in US high schools and live with host families. More than 5,000 volunteers in the US make the work of AFS possible.

AFS Hosting Opportunities
AFS is looking for families to host exchange students for the 2013/14 school year at Chicago area schools.
Hosting a student will:
• Enrich your family by sharing your daily lives with a young person from another culture and country.
• Introduce a better understanding of the world to your children.
• Show your part of America to an outstanding young person from another country.
As a host family, you will open your home and heart to a student who will become a member of your family. Regional AFS staff and dedicated volunteers are available to help make the AFS experience life changing for you and your student.
Students arrive with their own spending money and excellent medical coverage and are looking forward to participating as active members of their host families, schools and communities.
There is no typical host family. Couples, with or without children (any ages), single parents, or single adults – you are all welcome to open your hearts and homes to a student!

Learn about going abroad with AFS for a summer, semester or year. AFS partners with approximately 50 countries throughout the world. For more information, contact one of the people listed below or the website www.afs.org/usa .