FUN ON THE ELK RIVER

CIEE students, LC's and host families from Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia met for an afternoon on the Elk River in Kelso, Tennessee. Some of us kayaked and some of us canoed but we all had fun.

We're off!

Mary in the lead looks back at the slower boaters!

Rebecca and John on the river.

Pulling boats onto land after an afternoon on the river.

We pose for a photo at the end of the trip.

Enjoying a snack back at the cars.

WELCOME PARTY

The Switzer Family hosted the Welcome Party at their beauitiful home. With their sweeping yard, sparkling pool, basketball hoops and outdoor kitchen, they have the perfect place for a party. Everyone enjoyed swimming, visiting with one another, playing basketball and corn hole and of course the delicious food!

Elena from Spain (left) and Alexa from Ukraine (right)
with Alexa's host sister, Carolyn

Young people enjoying one anothers company

Kofi from Ghana (left) with his exchange brother, Zahid from Azerbaijan (right)

The Switzer's fire up the grill

Everyone chows down

Ben (left) and Tony (right) both from South Korea
with Ben's exchange brother, Samo from Slovakia

The boys enjoy a game of basketball

The water was perfect

The CIEE hunks pose for a photo

Host sibs join the hunks

OUR STUDENTS ARE ARRIVING

High school exchange students from all over the world are being 

welcomed by area host families.

Kofi from Ghana with Eloy Alcivar

Zahid from Azerbaijan with Eloy Alcivar

Kevin from China with Grace family

Elana from Spain with Saler family

Alexa from Ukraine with Marshall Family

Tony from South Korea with Lueders family

Ben from South Korea (2nd from left)
and Samo from Slovakia (center)
with Switzer family

Vishvam from India with Merritt family

BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVITY

On March 5, we traveled to Birmingham, hub of the Civil Rights movement in the South, to learn about this important chapter in US history.  We started with a program at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, site of a KKK bombing that killed 4 black girls in September,1963, during the peak of the Civil Rights movement. Next, we toured the Civil Rights Institute, a museum focusing on the Civil Rights movement in Alabama, followed by a visit to Kelly Ingram Park, a site commemorating the flourishing black community in Birmingham during this tumultuous time. The day ended with a visit to Vulcan Park for a panoramic view of the historic city. 

GATLINBURG WEEKEND GREAT FUN!!!!

We met up with our Chattanooga friends for a wonderful weekend January 22 - 24.  We visited local attractions, skated, skied and enjoyed the indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs at our hotel.

GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY

On January 14 we met with the staff of Congressman Mo Brook and Mayor Tommy Battle and attended a Huntsville City Council meeting.

Students in front of Congressman's office

Students in discussion with Congressman's staff

Students meet with Mayor Tommy Battle

Students pose with Mayor at entrance to his office

Students wait for City Council meeting to begin

Students receive awards at City Council meeting
from Mayor and Council President

WELCOME SUMIN!!!

Sumin, our newest student, arrived on January 8.  From South Korea, she is being hosted by Michele and Benny Davis.  Please join me in welcoming both Sumin and the Davis' to our local CIEE family!

Jen Truitt, Sumin's LC, had a welcome party for Sumin at her lovely home January 10 and invited the other South Korean students as well as Jacob, a senior at Huntsville High where Sumin will go to school who speaks Korean and has been to South Korea.

The Davis' welcome Sumin at the airport

Sumin talks to LC David Ford with the
Davis' to her left and right

Sumin with Dae Kyun (left) and Jacob (right)  

Jacob, Dae Kyun, Kevin, Sumin and Emma and Abby,
Jen's daughters