Three foreign exchange students spending time in Brooklyn

​        Lara Reinhardt, a junior and international foreign exchange student from Germany, leads a cheer during the homecoming pep rally at BGM in October. Reinhardt, who is staying with host family, Joe, Stevie, Shadlee and Trinity Hazelwood, said her favorite part of being in Brooklyn was taking part in the BGM football cheerleading squad. Reinhardt returns to Germany on Jan. 15.

By J.O. Parker
 
         BGM is home to three international foreign exchange students this school year.
         Lara Reinhardt, a junior, is staying with host family, Joe, Stevie, Shadlee and Trinity Hazelwood.
Maryam Hadad, a junior, and Krishna Pawar, a junior, are both staying with host Franci McClenathan. 
        All three students are in Brooklyn through the AYUSA foreign exchange program. McClenathan is a community representative with AYUSA (Academic Year in the USA), a non-profit organization based in San Francisco. She enjoys everything that comes with being part of the youth organization.
Reinhardt arrived in August and will be returning home on Jan. 15. Hadad and Pawar both arrived in September and will stay in Brooklyn till June.
Lara Reinhardt
       At BGM, Reinhardt, a native of Germany, has been involved with football cheerleading, took part in the backstage crew with the BGM musical, Cinderella, where she did hair and makeup, and is currently playing basketball.
        Outside of school, Reinhardt has been involved in the Brooklyn Ruritan Club.
She has traveled with other AYUSA students to South Dakota, Chicago and she went to Kansas City with her host family and attended a hockey game in Des Moines.
      When asked what she will always remember about her time in Iowa, Reinhardt said she will miss a lot of things. “My favorite was cheering at high school football games,” she said.
Maryam Hadad
       Hadad, a native of Kenya, is currently playing basketball at BGM and was on the backstage crew for the BGM fall musical, Cinderella.
        Outside of school, Hadad has attended Roots Youth Group activities and enjoys volunteering.
       She has traveled with other AYUSA students to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri and South Dakota. She has plans to attend more scheduled events during the second semester.
       When asked what was her favorite part of being in Iowa and Brooklyn, Hadad said, “Meeting new people who are so kind, but it is so much colder here than I am used to in Kenya.”
Krishna Pawar
     Pawar, a native of India, was on the backstage crew for the BGM fall musical, Cinderella, participates in FCCLA, and enjoys band, jazz band, pep band. He plans to participate in track and baseball in the spring.
        Activities outside of school include attending Roots Youth Group and volunteering with the goal of reaching 100 hours before June.
      Pawar has traveled with other AYUSA students to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri and South Dakota. He has plans to attend more scheduled events during the second semester.
        When asked what was his favorite part of being in Iowa and Brooklyn, Pawar said seeing snow for the first time. “I am anxiously awaiting a large snowfall so I can build a snowman,” he said.
Hosting a foreign exchange student
       If your family is interested in hosting a foreign exchange student, AYUSA representative Franci McClenathan said all are welcome to apply.
       “Whether you choose to commit to only eight weeks as a temporary arrival welcome family or 5-10 months as a permanent placement, the only real requirements are: being at least 25 years old; being able to provide a comfy, safe home for them to live, sleep, and study; providing three meals per day; arranging reliable rides to school and events; and being welcoming and understanding of different cultures,” noted McClenathan. “Students come with their own spending money and insurance.”
        For more information, contact Franci McClenathan at 641-891-2297.

​        Maryam Hadad, left, and Krishna Pawar, second from right, pose for a photo with BGM students, Addi Day, second from left, and Trinity Hazelwood, right, during the Brooklyn Ruritan Santa Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 7. Maryam, who hails from Kenya and Pawar, who hails from India, volunteered to help serve breakfast at the event featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus. The two foreign exchange students will stay in Brooklyn until June, where they will attend school and participate in various activities.