IFEST A LOT OF FUN FOR EVERYONE

We set up a CIEE both at iFest, an annual international festival sponsored by UAH.  Victoria, Fitim, Boss, Alvaro, Xinran and Jachym all earned community service hours by working the booth.  We have some really good salesmen in our group!  We got contact info for 12 families who want us to send them more information about hosting!

KAYAKING ON THE ELK RIVER

We had a great turnout for the kayak trip - 18 participants, including exchange students, host families and LCs.  The weather was perfect and the river was beautiful!

Melanie and Yanzhi pose for a picture as we prepare to launch

We're off

The river is beautiful

Mary's first time kayaking

The Wilson clan

Relaxing after an afternoon on the river

The group

WELCOME PARTY A HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!

We had a great turn out for our welcome pool party, the first of many activities we have planned for our students and host families over the coming ten months.  Fourteen of our 16 students were able to make it to the party.  How awesome is that!

OUR STUDENTS ARE ARRIVING

Boss from Thailand at the airport with Jim, his Local Coordinator



Dae Kyuan from South Korea (left) enjoying a meal with David, his host dad,
and a friend

Victoria from Brazil (second from left) with the Cohen's, her host family, at the airport

Luwen from China with the Agrusa's, his host family, in their back yard

Xinran from China (right) with the Merritt's, his host family, at the airport

Fitim from Macedonia (left) with the Willis', his host family, at the airport

Yuhang from China (right) with the Reyes', his host family, at the airport

Anna from China (second from right) with the Farmer's, her host family, at the airport

Can from China (center) with the Belcher's, his host family, at the airport

Pavol from Slovakia (left) with the Graces, his host family, at the airport

Yanzhi from China (second from right) with Hergenroeder's, her host family, at the airport

FAREWELL PARTY IS A BITTERSWEET DAY

Matt and Nanette Pride hosted our Farewell Party at their lovely home near Hartselle on Saturday, May 16.  The Pride's grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and everyone brought picnic fare to share.  We all had a great time but it was a bittersweet day because it was the last time many of us would see one another.

Oak, Alberto, Yuhang & Sebastian reminisce about the year

Enjoying a game of soccer

Fun on the trampoline

A game of cornhole

Watching television on the Pride's indoor/outdoor flat screen TV

We dig in

Zoe & Sebastian say good-bye

Group good-bye

CHATTONOOGA TRIP A LOT OF FUN

On April 18, we traveled to Chattanooga to spend the day with our CIEE friends from Tennessee.  We started the day with a lunch cruise on the Tennessee River which included a deluxe deli buffet. Next, we visit the world famous Tennessee Aquarium. After the aquarium, we had free time in downtown Chattanooga to enjoy the many restaurants, street vendors, shops, art galleries, and the walking bridge across the river to a riverside park and more shops.