The Hometown Treasure February 2011 | Page 14

February 2011 Phone: [phone] • Fax [phone] • The Hometown Treasure ISABELLE — continued from previous page Kuhlman is living with Ed and Pam Flowers of rural Shipshewana. This is the fifth foreign exchange student they have hosted over the last seven years. Flowers say that Kuhlman’s English was already superb when she first got here. It is because their daughter, Tennelle, a junior at Westview ‘wanted to have more sisters’ that the Flowers have hosted students. They have really enjoyed it and Tennelle says she is looking forward to being able to travel to see all her ‘sisters.’ “It is nice having a ‘sister’ my age,” says Isabelle. She has two half brothers, one of which she grew up with in her household, however he is about five years older. Living with a ‘sibling’ her age is a new thing. When she heads back to school in Germany next fall Isabelle will still have two years left in her high school career before moving on to the University level. At this point she doesn’t know exactly what she wants to study at the level, listing a wide variety of interests. Those include the more traditional academic topics such as chemistry, biology, but also creative design and photography. Living in a rural setting has been a new experience, and she says she really enjoys the opportunity to walk through and photograph the woods at the back of the Flowers’ property. A major difference for Isabelle at Westview has been moving from classroom to classroom. In Germany, the students stay in one room with different teachers coming to them. Their classes are on a weekly cycle there, not daily as they are here. Other travels enjoyed by Kuhlman prior to coming to the U.S. included a three day school exchange in France, a week exchange in Poland, and family trips to the Netherlands, Greece and Italy. She speaks some Spanish and French as well as English and German. The Flowers jokingly call Isabelle their ‘mole’ since she spends a lot of time in their basement. Isabelle says spending time alone in her room is very typical of her German home life. She still makes lots of time for social events here. She participated in the fall musical and enjoys soccer and hand ball (although she says no one here even knows what hand ball is.) The basketball games have been a lot of fun for her. According to her, the school spirit is wonderful. They have nothing comparable to high school spo rts back home. Isabelle has been able to stay in contact with friends and family via the internet and specifically Skype, a program that allows one to both talk to and see someone via the internet. She also has a friend from back home that is currently on exchange in Nevada that she has been able to stay in touch with. In order to make sure she doesn’t fall behind for when she goes back to her German high school she has taken a fairly tough slate of classes here. They include AP English, Calculus, US History, Sociology and Biology II. Her favorite class, although she says she has a love/hate relationship with the class, has been photography with Mr. Hostetler. The thing she says she is going to miss most? Peanut butter. Apparently it is available in Germany, but not readily accessible like it is here. If anyone is interested in the opportunity to host any exchange student next school year, you can contact the high school. More information on the program that Isabelle is participating in is available by calling area representatives for ASSE, Bill and Helen LeFever at 574-679-4697 or 574-536-1428, or by emailing your request for information to [email protected]. Oak Grove Tax Service Excellence is Our Goal • Affordable Rates • Free E-File • Over 10 Years Experience in Tax Preparation • Free Pick-up & Delivery of Tax Documents Service you can trust! 6275 N 450 W • Shipshewana, IN 46565 • 260-585-0081 fax [phone] • [email protected] 10% Discount for first 15 new clients! Superior Carpet Cleaning Without Harsh Chemicals Noble/LaGrange Superior Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • Hot Carbonating Extraction • 1-2 Hr. Drying Time • No Steam - No Shampoo • Stays Clean Longer • Completely Safe & Nontoxic • 100% Satisfaction Page 14 High Tech Cleaning Now In The Area - Ready To Serve You! Jerold & Laura Mishler • 260-768-9130 Independently Owned & Operated - Serving Noble & LaGrange Counties Clueless Crossword Hint #1 = E