Stupid news

[leftyjew]

So usually, I don't write about things related to my work, but this was sent around the office "before it became big news." I've never seen such a silly mischaracterization of an international exchange experience. ("Mischaracterization" is not in Firefox's spell check).
Let's go.

1. As far as food goes, a Coptic fast is what my friend, dimrod80, would call "most days of my life" - it means you eat no animal products. Actually, I think you can still eat fish.


2. The child was not under dietary restrictions. The family was. Exchange students around the world don't necessarily like the food served to them, so they go out and buy food locally. Apparently, this kid refused to do that and actually STOLE food. WHAT?! Yes, he wasn't getting enough food, so instead of calling his parents who sent him on this several-thousand dollar exchange program (AFS costs a lot more than YFU in general, and I'm not sure they pay for your flight), he STEALS. Way to create mutual understanding...


3. It talks about the family's "broken English." You know what?! You're in Egypt! They don't have broken English, you have broken Arabic! You wouldn't call your parents because you were immersing yourself in Egyptian culture, but you went to an English-language school, spent time on Facebook and never learned Arabic? There's something wrong with his relationship with his parents.


4. I don't know how AFS programs are run, but there is definitely legislation and policies in place to monitor students and host families. However, because exchange organizations often rely on volunteers' personal networks and reuse the same host families year after year, there's often a problem with those monitors institutionally favoring the host family. That being said, there's always recourse. Again, I don't know what AFS did and quite honestly, they seem to have messed up some, but really there's more going on.


5. Okay, so there's clearly a major weight loss. That type of weight loss doesn't happen by eating six-person servings for an hour and a half. However, that type of weight loss DOES happen when you eat like six and then throw it up afterwards. It's just a theory, but it looks like bulimic behavior. The kid eats a lot, is "constantly exercising," never talks with his parents, and comes back depressed. Not conclusive, but suspect. Something should have been done about this. He probably should have been sent home. This is a real issue, but very hard to communicate to a culture where eating disorders are still taboo to mention.


6. Your kid comes home after a year overseas and comes back different? Really? He is more reserved to his parents? Is this abnormal for a teenager or anyone? I was a different person after my freshman year in college. I was a different person after my six week tour in Israel the summer after junior year. Being on your own changes you. That's a GOOD thing! And the fact that you all never called him can't have created a stronger bond between you guys.


7. The family "hiding treats," etc., would be really bad. As I said, it can happen, and that's a real bad problem. Most exchange programs have very good support (I've actually heard from alumni AFS is not so good about that). I am saddened that the program did nothing, but it seems like he was offered a new host and turned it down. "Bad neighborhood" is probably a relative term.


8. I think AFS pays their host families. That's problematic because it encourages host families to host for money. YFU gives nothing, though the US gov't gives you a $200/month tax credit.


9. You think your kid has "Stockholm syndrome," he's 50 lbs underweight, and you're sending him abroad again in a few months?! You're nuts parents! Get the kid treatment for his eating disorder.

Ok, I guess that's my analysis. The kid doesn't really seem in terrible (emotional) shape. I guess we'll see what transpires, but boy, is this an annoying and unnecessary flame on an already-difficult industry.