Monday, August 31, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Foreigners find local homes
By Steph Brewer
Kansan staff writer
Jo Ann Van Hoesen talks to her new host daughter, Mariana Souza, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Saturday evening, 61 international students met their host families at the South Park Gazebo. Photo by Daniela Sutor/KANSAN
Twenty-three years ago, Jo Ann and Gene Van Hoesen noticed an advertisement in the newspaper seeking host families for foreign exchange students. Because Gene Van Hoesen is Dutch, they decided to be host to a student from Holland.
"It's broadened our scope of the world." Jo Ann Van Hoesen said.
One student from Holland snowballed into a slew of students from 30 different countries. Saturday night, the Van Hoesens met this year's student at South Park along with 53 other families involved in the Lawrence Host Family Program.
The program matches international students at the University of Kansas with area families who try to expose them to American culture. The students don't live with the families, but see them frequently, said Rebecca Thesman, coordinator of International Student Ministries at First Christian Church.
"The idea is to be a friend to these students." Theman said.
This year, Theman said 200 families were involved, although not all were present at the meet-and-greet event. The program is independently operated but works with the International Student Services.
The program has existed for about 25 years, said co-chairman Lanny Maddux.
Munasser Al-Yami, Najran, Saudi Arabia, freshman, said he signed up for a host family to better understand U.S. society and culture.
Nicolas Hahn, Dortmund, Germany, graduate student, said he thought it was a great advantage to get in contact with Americans.
Howard Pollock, language specialist at the Applied English Center, said getting to know U.S. life was the main desire of most students.
"The biggest thing most of these international students like to see is an American home, an American family in action," he said.
Sometimes the students become a
part of the family. KU graduate
Sohiel Khan is a past student of the
Van Hoesens. He went with them
Saturday to meet their new student
"She adopted me," he said of Jo Ann Van Hoesen. "It's just like having parents here."
He said that during his time at the University, his country, Bangladesh, faced natural disasters. When he was upset about what was happening, he turned to the Van Hoesens for comfort. Khan now lives in Kansas City, but remains close to the family.
"We're so proud of him," Jo Ann Van Hoesen said. "We really want to think he's our son."
Van Hoesen said she liked the program because of its low-key approach. Although the program sponsors events during the year, most of the contact is through everyday activities, such as grocery shopping.
By doing simple activities together, students learn about real American life. Pollock said.
"Many of these students at KU in their four or five years will never see that," he said.
Host families learn also.
Host family uses it.
"It certainly gives us a different perspective on both our own culture and the culture you're hosting," said host parent Duane Goertz.
Greek members feed neighborhood
By Sarah Hale
Kansan staff writer
A simple "thank you" was not enough for two sororities and fraternities that wanted to show appreciation for their neighbors.
for their neighborhood Instead, the Greek members picked up trash around their West Hills neighborhood and fed hamburgers and hot dogs to about 450 people yesterday.
Fraternities Delta Upsilon and Kappa Sigma and sororites Kappa Delta and Delta Gamma sent invitations to their neighbors a couple of weeks ago to welcome them to a barbecue at the Delta Upsilon house.
"We wanted to show our support to the neighborhood," said Courtney Cotter, Wichita junior and director of special events for Delta Gamma. "We need to thank them for supporting us and the Greek community."
THIS was the first year the fraternities and sororities invited the neighbors for a barbecue. Cotter said she hoped it would introduce the chapters' members to the people that lived around them.
tough people to work with. For two neighbors, Bill and Jean Mitchell, visiting the houses was a flashback to their University of Kansas experiences. In the 1950s, Bill was a member of Delta Upsilon and his wife, Jean, was a Delta Gamma.
When they arrived at the barbecue and met the chapter presidents, the couple immediately began asking questions and thanking the chapters' members.
"One of the recurring topics at our homeowners meetings is how do we get these kids to realize they're part of this neighborhood," Bill Mitchell said. "And here they've done it on their own. It's not just a good thing, it's super."
The Mitchells said the West Hills Neighborhood Association was open to all the residents of the subdivision, including the Greek houses.
Jean and Bill Mitchell, Lawrence residents, talk with Nicole Vette, Kappa Delta president, and Stacey Wright, Delta Gamma president. The barbecue on the Delta Upsilon front porch was held to bring greek members and neighbors closer together. Photo by Daniela Sutor/KANSAN
The barbecue cost the chapters about $1,000, said Lung Huang, Delta Upsilon president. He said the barbecue should become an annual event as a way of giving back to the community.
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