| OCR Text |
Show T Thursday, December 6, 1990 hosts students to look into the real way of life in the American family." At first, the program had from page one British woman who once asked her if she carried a gun with her at all times. Other misconceptions are particular to the Salt Lake City region, such as the fear that if one associates with Mormons, one cannot have friends from any other faith. "When they foreign students hear these things, they sometimes wonder if they should get out in the community at all, or if they will be welcome," Barker said. The "sometimes smug" attitude of local community members does not help either, she said. One project leader in the U.'s International Center, said, "The students are often quite isolated.. .they live among us, but not with us. They spend their lives in a cocoon." Others also agreed with Barker in that if those cocoons are not penetrated, the misconceptions of America will return to the homelands of foreign students and grow even stronger. Students need to see American culture, and see there is a difference between what the government does and what people do, to take part in it, committee members said. Peterson's committee, which is composed of 11 members with a broad range of connections in city educational and civic life, Eolitical, The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Three a number of programs to tackle these problems. The programs are implemented primarily through the efforts of the international center. The foremost of these projects, committee members said, is the host families program. Under this system, about 140 families have volunteered to foster relationships with a foreign student for up to one year. The host family invites the student to experience American culture by participating in family activities, sharing meals and spending holidays together. Project leaders said they are very pleased with the results. "There is always room for improvement, but we have come a long, long way," said Barker, and added "It's a good success. It allows difficulties getting started, with too few host families available. Now, many families have volunteered, and all that remains to recruit more foreign students, project leaders said. Much of the volunteer families were contacted through local church organizations, Barker said. Lisa Zaharias coordinates the efforts of the Greek Orthodox Church, and has herself hosted foreign students. "It makes me feel that I'm doing my part for peace," she said, and the noted that among that 25 families approximately have in her volunteered organization, feedback from host families has been extraordinarily positive. "They've just raved about it. It's been nice," she said, noting that the contact with a foreign culture is what many families enjoyed most. The LDS church is also heavily involved with the program, and will soon have placed more than 100 students with host families. Barbara Hatch, the church's host coordinator, said despite language barriers and time constraints, the program has met with considerable success. Another major problem facing students face is the welfare of their spouses while they are studying. Many students' wives are not allowed by their visas to work, and most do not speak English. The international center has cooperated with the New Hope Multi-Cultur- al Center, a private Salt Lake organization, to recruit volunteers to teach English to the wives of foreign students. The class meets twice a week, and has seen a recent enrollment increase from 12 to about 28 students. In the future, committee members hope to expand the services they offer, especially to integrate the community and foreigners better, and to further the assistance given to students' spouses. Project leaders point to programs in other at Utah State one and states, as examples of what University, well-establish- ed There is still time to give to the campus United Way campaign. Remember us in your year end giving. this type of program can achieve. "We've really been exploring for new options," Barker said. 1 For 30 years, it's been her home. But now, she could end up in a nursing home. Simply because she could use a hand shopping for groceries. Who do you turn to when you're all alone? Who can you depend on, so you can remain independent? She got help through a volunteer shopping program. They got help from the United Way. All because the United Way got help from you. Your single contribution helps provide therapy for a child with a learning disability, rehabilitation for a to toss a cocaine abuser, and a place for a basketball around after school. Or, in this case, a program that provides a volunteer woman. A woman to do the shopping for a who wants nothing more than to live out S. her life in the home she loves. gjfj old 79-year-- pQJj United Way Let's put the U in the United Way! for information about United Way campaign university's Call 581-75- 83 It took Galileo 16 years to master the universe. You have one night. 1 It seems unfair. The genius had all that time. While you have a few short hours to learn your sun spots from your satellites before the dreaded astronomy exam. On the other hand, Vivarin gives you the definite advantage. It helps keep you awake and mentally alert for hours. Safely and conveniently. So even when the subject matter's dull, your mind will stay razor sharp. If Galileo had used Vivarin, maybe he could have mastered the solar system faster, too. Revive with VIVARIN! t' tt directed Contains caflhiw rqutvalrnt of two cups of coffer 19 SmiihHiw Bmham for last picK up --safe as coffee |
