THE 2013/14 STUDENTS HAVE ARRIVED!!

We have another great group of students in our area this year! Here they are as they are greeted at the airport by their host families and/or local coordinators. This year's CIEE family consists of 14 fabulous exchange students from 5 countries (China, Hong Kong, Germany, South Korea, and Thailand) and some truly awesome host families.  







Ding Young (K) from South Korea is greeted by local coordinator Jim Powers

Faby from Germany is greeted by her host dad Chuck Segars

Felicia from Germany is greeted by her host mom Deborah Neel

Guili from Germany is greeted by host mom Vickie Eldridge

 

Paulina from Germany is greeted by host mom Margaret Green

Timo from Germany is greeted my his host mom and dad Mary and Jim Powers

Yicong (Vivian) from China is greeted by his host mom and dan Angela and Todd Kurzhal and her host brother and sister




Fasai & Jidapa both from Thailand are greeted by her host mom Keely Kurth, her host brother, and sister and Local Coordinator Kelly Merritt

 Kristy from Hong Kong is greeted by her host mom Alexis Lawrence and members of her church youth group

   Melanie from Germany is greeted by her host mom Kelly Merritt, her host brother and sister, and her host sister's friend

Yiyang from China is greeted by his host mom and dad, Sommer and Alan Woods, his host brother and sister, and a family friend

Phillip from South Korea is greeted by his host mom Deborah Neel

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Chattanooga

On Saturday, March 16 several students, one host mom and Jim
traveled to Chattanooga where we met up with the Chattanooga group
for a day of fun.  We started with a lunch cruise of the Tennessee River
where everyone enjoyed the beautiful scenery on a beautiful spring day. 
After lunch we visited the world renowned Tennessee Aquarium.  After the
Aquarium, there was time to explore downtown Chattanooga with
its shops, museums, galleries and restaurants.  The weather was
perfect and we all had a great time!

The students posed for a group shot before we boarded the
Southern Belle.  We had around 30 students altogether.

Kuvvat from Turkmenistan, Luisa from Germany, Min Jeong from
South Korea, Lee from South Korea and Shara from Germany

 

Two Chattanooga Local Coordinators enjoy the beautiful weather

 

Stduents wail to go into the Aquarium.  Our very own Mayom,
from Thailand smiles for the camera in the front.

Lunar New Year Party

 

Around 40 students and host family members attended our LunarNew Year party at Jim and Mary Powers.  Here some of the guestsmake a toast with non-alcoholic Champaign.

 

 

Urich, a German student in last year's program was back for a visit with his host family and they joined us at the party.  Here he is with Jim and Mary.  We think he's even taller than he was last year.

Grants Mid-Year Meeting

Exchange students who are on government scholarships are required to attend a number of enhancement activities during the program year including a mid-year meeting with other scholarship students in the area.  This year we have two students who are on Congress-Bundestag scholarships, a program funded jointly by the U.S. and German governments and Jim took these students, Shara and Luisa, to Nashville to attend there mid-year meeting on February 8.  In addition to a discussion about their experiences so far, they toured the State Capitol and Legislative Plaza and visited the State Museum and the Military Branch Museum.  Students from Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville attended the meeting

 

Students discuss their experiences so far in a legislative committee room 

Scholarship student from Ghana operates state seal press 



Gatlinburg Weekend

In January, we traveled to Gatlinburg to join the Chattanoogacluster in a fun filled weekend in the mountians.  We skied,skated, and visted the Aquarium of the Smokies and the Ripley'sMuseum.  There was also time to enjoy the indoor/outdoor heated

pool at our hotel.

 

Min Joeng (left), Karine (4th from left) and Hyesun (2nd from right) join students form other areas

Government Activity

From left to right: Mark Russell, Huntsville City Council President, Hyesun from South Korea, Luisa from Germany, Min Jeong from South Korea, Karine from Norway, Shara from Germany and Tommy Battle, Mayor of  the City of Huntsville in rthe Huntsville City Council chambers.

 

On January 10, 5 CIEE students, two host moms, one host brother and Jim and Mary Powers participated in an activity to learn about federal and municipal government in the United States.  First we had a round table discussion with members of United States Congressman Mo Brooks staff in his Huntsville office.  Next we met with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in his office.  And finally, we atended a Huntsville City Council meeting in which each of the students was recognized and received an official City of Huntsville certificate from the City Council office.

WE SAY GOODBYE TO THREE CIEE STUDENTS

Three area CIEE students, all of whom arrived in January, left the program in December.  They're all great kids and we will miss them very much!

     Juneseong from South Korea

    (hosted by the Powers Family)

             Lucas from Brazil

     (hosted by the White Family)

       Harry from South Korea

 (hosted by the Pickard Family)