Emmanuel Saah, Mercy, Sakayian and Swalehe Mbagga , L-R, with their presentations and traditional clothes at the April 28 AFS Gala.

May 18, 2018 -- This year Heights High celebrates 60 years of partnership with the AFS student exchange program. Heights families have hosted exchange students every year since the 1957-58 school year.

To highlight the success of AFS at Heights High, families hosted a record 12 students and celebrated the program’s impact at an April 28 Gala. The event coincided with the National AFS Volunteer Convention and many of the national AFS volunteers, board members and the organization’s president also attended.

AFS President Jorge Castro praised the school for the consistent support of AFS. “Without model school like Heights High that have lived and breathed the AFS ideal of diversity, inclusion, intercultural learning and world peace for over half a century, we would not be able to accomplish our mission of building a more just and peaceful world.”

This banner year of hosting brought students from Africa, South America, Asia and Europe to Heights High. They bring a global perspective to their host families and the classroom. When they return home, the students take their American and Heights experience back to share with students and citizens in their countries.

For information about hosting a student for the 2018-19 school year or beyond, contact Carla Bailey.

 

Students and parents who are interested in learning about hosting an AFS student or studying abroad are invited to a meeting at Heights High on Thursday, May 24, 3:30 p.m. for students and 7:00 p.m. for parents and families.

Meet the 2017-18 AFS students at Heights High:

Lucian (Lucho) Delmonte
Argentina, South America
Host: Yelsky Family
This new building is so amazing! I really appreciated that the students are so friendly. I learned about American culture, that you eat a big meal in the evening and I learned to be more responsible for myself. I also learned to love burgers!

Nur Nadia Faisal
Malaysia, Asia
Host: Henderson-Lammers Family
Teachers here are so kind and really care about the students. It is amazing how many classes are offered here. I loved making snowmen, ice skating and sledding - all new things for me. Also, I enjoyed new food, like flan.

Marianella Geurrero
Paraguay, South America
Host: Bartz Family
I love being in the vocal program, learning to sing and dance is wonderful, something I never did before. My favorite foods that I had here are pretzels, bagels and mac and cheese. This year I learned to take advantage of opportunities offered to me.

Mariama Kabia
Sierra Leone, Africa
Host: Glenn Family
The school environment is conducive to learning and I appreciate how the teachers really help students. I have learned that Americans wear pajamas to bed and most people are nice. I love tacos and burgers!

Swalehe Mbagga
Kenya, Africa
Host: The Conrad Family
I am so glad that I learned to shovel snow, it was my first time, we don’t have snow where I live in Kenya. I saw that Americans value and respect family time and that people are so friendly. Apple cake is my American favorite food.

Roberto Pastorelli
Italy, Europe
Host: The McDonald Family
The new school, esp the science labs, are so nice here. I appreciate that the students helped us feel welcome here. This year went so quickly, I learned that we must make the most of our time and opportunities. Burgers and fries are my favorite American food.

Emmanuel Saah
Ghana, Africa
Host: Conrad Family
My engineering class has been great, we built robots, something I would not get to do in my country. I’ve enjoyed American fried rice and seeing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about the world.

Zainab Said
Tanzania, Zanzibar, Africa
Host: Henderson-Lammers Family
I love the diversity of the school - students from all races interacting with each other and being friends. The clubs and programs here, like AFS, MSAN, vocal music, etc are so wonderful. I hope more American student will go on exchanges to learn more about the world.

Mercy Sakayian
Kenya, Africa
Host: The Bailey-Walker Family
The students and teachers in the Vocal Music Department were so friendly. All the teachers here are understanding and caring, they really want to help us. My favorite new foods are burgers and Nutella! I have enjoyed traveling, esp to Philadelphia.

Thitaporn (Parn) Satetapinyo
Thailand, Asia
Host: The Bergren-Graham family
I like that Heights has many different races of people and that everyone is equally important.This year I  have become more confident. I love grilled cheese sandwiches and really enjoyed my trip to Disney World.

Almira Udjan
Philippines Asia
Host: The Ontaneda-Navas
The American holidays have been so fun for me - Thanksgiving and Christmas where families gather together. The school activities like Homecoming, the musicals and sports are good. The classes about American History were really interesting and I loved our trip New York City!

Olwethu Zungu
South Africa
Host: Bailey-Walker Family
I have enjoyed learning about American dance culture and how American teens are expected to communicate with peers and elders. The best thing for me is the opportunity to dance almost everyday at school. I love tacos and soft pretzels.

 

The AFS progtam also offers opportunities for Heights High students to study abroad. An average of one student per year take advantage of the program. For information about sending your student on a summer, semester or school year exchange, contact Carla Bailey.