AFS San Diego

Xueqian (April) Huang, 17, of China, joined Scripps Ranch High School student body last fall to learn about the culture of the United States so she decided to participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible. She wanted others to understand her culture as well. “We talked about how we would bring the Chinese culture during orientation (for AFS exchange students) in China,” April recalled.

April has accomplished her goals having immersed herself in the high school culture and introducing many SRHS students to China. Before she left her home in Changzhou, she went to the SRHS website to see what was offered. At the bottom of the clubs list, she said, was a statement that students with interests not met by existing clubs could start their own. That’s what April did by starting the Chinese Club. With Advisor Julia Knoff, a teacher, and about 15 Scripps students the club has met every Friday throughout the year. The students have studied various aspects of Chinese culture. They have practiced paper cutting, making lanterns and learned how to use chopsticks via fun games, to name a few activities. “For Halloween, we had painting Chinese makeup,” April said of the club’s efforts to incorporate Chinese culture with American observances. In January, they celebrated the Chinese New Year, by cooking traditional New Year fare. “We made dumplings and ate them,” April said. They also had speakers such as a Kung Fu master.

To finance the club’s activities, the members sold some of their Chinese crafts at a school fundraiser. “We did some Chinese writing with brush and ink,” April said.

In addition to the Chinese Club, April also participated in other school activities making her own dress for a school fashion show. “It’s her dream to become a fashion designer,” host mom Darlene Palmer noted. In her first semester fashion class, April learned clothing design, and made pajamas and a pillowcase. To understand more but fashion, she went to several fashion shows in San Diego and Los Angeles. However, April plans to get her business degree first.

At the school’s talent show, April performed a traditional Chinese dance with a special long sleeved costume. “It was very well received,” said Mrs. Palmer, “She got a good hand; we were very proud of her.”
Despite her extracurricular activities, April, who has been in the 11th grade, kept up with her studies as well. Her subjects included drama, weight training, AP Physics, American Literature, American History and math. April was also selected to represent AFS, speaking at a downtown service club. She also volunteers at the Scripps Ranch library telling stories for young Chinese-American students whose parents want their children to have some connection to their culture.

“She’s constantly doing something,” said Palmer. “If there’s something to be involved in she’s there.” With her active social life, April has several good friends, the only difficulty she’s had has been transportation. “I was surprised there are no busses here,” she said.

April began her English studies in elementary school. She heard about AFS at school. AFS is a worldwide, non-profit organization that has been a leader in high school student exchange for 60 years. The program promotes international understanding through foreign student exchanges. AFS exchanges more than 11,000 students each year among a partnership of more than 50 AFS partner countries. AFS-USA sends more than 1,500 students to more than 40 countries annually; awards more than $1.5 million in financial aid and scholarships; and places more than 2,800 students from abroad with US families. Although April used to participate in English competitions as school, coming here was a bit overwhelming. “I was nervous,” she said of her language skills at first.

Palmer noted April had traveled “halfway across the world,” and was surely just a bit tired. “I am really proud of her,” she said. Palmer does not fit the stereotypical “host mom” mold, having raised her own children already. She had lost both her husband and daughter a year before and “wanted some companionship.” She saw an ad in local paper about AFS looking for host families. “My only concern was being a single parent without kids in the house,” said Palmer. “But it turns out April is a single child so it wasn’t a hard adjustment for her.” Palmer’s 24-year-old son Taylor is also a “host parent” for April so he can take her on independent travel trips. April has gone to Reno, Seattle and San Francisco as well.

Although she’s enjoyed having April, Palmer will wait at least a year before hosting again. “I need to rest,” said Palmer who had two surgeries this spring. But having April was “a wonderful experience.” She said that they haven’t always agreed on everything naturally, and she’s tried to get her to speak up. “She stands up a little more than when she first arrived,” said Palmer. “It can be over funny things. We were at the store and she wanted something and I said we didn’t eat it last time, but she came back with ‘No, that’s not what happened.’” She said that she hopes April does come back to go to college in San Diego. “I’ve become very fond of her.”

Both Palmer and April agree that they have learned a lot about their respective cultures. “I had preconceived ideas,” Palmer said, “but she’s explained things that I would have never known.” She said she thinks it’s “a great opportunity to get to know another culture, respect their values and learn how they think.” She said it’s been interesting looking at her own culture through April’s eyes as well. “We have such a variety of food,” she said she learned. “They eat pretty much the same thing at every meal.” Palmer says she hopes her and April’s experience will inspire others. “It’s so beneficial in so many ways,” said Palmer. “And it’s been fun.”

Arrangements are now being made to find homes for AFS students for next fall semester, AFS San Diego officials said. In addition to host families, AFS needs volunteers to serve in other capacities. For more information on volunteering for AFS in San Diego, contact Zach Mulert at zachmulert@hotmail.com or at 858-450-0825.

June 7, 2009
Contact: Rebecca Motlagh, AFS San Diego publicity, 619.437.4337 or 619.913.1919