Norwegian students have fun despite fears<\/p>\n
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Eight Norwegian students stood on a simple stage covered in red
\ncarpet at the Kanisius College High School in Central Jakarta.
\nThe Norwegian red-and-black-cross flag hung on as a backdrop.<\/p>\n
With their usual carefree, indifferent teenage style and
\nsmiling faces, the students -- aged between 14 and 15 -- took
\nturns to perform their traditional songs and plays as well as
\nintroducing Norwegian culture and their way of life.<\/p>\n
The students were participants of a cross-cultural interchange
\nprogram organized by the London-based Children's International
\nSummer Village (CISV), a non-governmental organization promoting
\ncross-cultural education for teenagers aged 11 to 19 years old
\nworldwide.<\/p>\n
From Dec. 19, 2002, to Jan. 12, the eight Norwegian students,
\naccompanied by two chaperons, have been living with Indonesian
\nfamilies and getting first hand experience about Indonesian
\ncultures and lifestyles.<\/p>\n
While many student exchange programs were canceled following
\nthe horrific Oct. 12 Bali bombings, the Norwegian students went
\nahead with their plans to visit their Indonesian host families.<\/p>\n
The terrorist attacks here did not seem to disturb or daunt
\nthem. Nor the fact that there were foreign teenagers of their own
\nage among the 195 bomb victims.<\/p>\n
Fourteen-year-old Lauritz O.V. Raustel commented casually,
\n\"I'm not afraid. I read about it (the bombings) before I came
\nhere. It (terrorist attack) can happen anywhere in the world,
\neven in the U.S.\"<\/p>\n
His group-mate, Helene Gran Overli, also 14, confidently
\nquipped, \"I don't think, whoever did it, will try to do it here
\nagain.\"<\/p>\n
\"Besides, if you just staying in the house and be afraid all
\nthe time, how are you going to live your life?,\" Raustel
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
It was somewhat surprising to hear such confidence from these
\nteenagers. Adults could actually learn from them about how to
\novercome their fear of terrorism, which seems to have clouded
\nmost people's minds after the bombings, not surprisingly.<\/p>\n
Margit Tengen, one of the chaperons, admitted that the CISV
\nNorway Chapter had considered canceling the trip amid rising
\nconcerns from the participants' parents, whose approval was, of
\ncourse, necessary for the visit.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Norwegian government still imposed their
\ntravel warning to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
After a thorough explanation and lengthy discussion between
\nthe organizer and the Norwegian government, finally the students
\nand their chaperons were permitted to leave for Indonesia but
\nstrongly advised not to visit certain tourist destinations,
\nincluding Bali.<\/p>\n
However, in order to continue the program, CISV Norway sought
\nsupport from CISV headquarters, and held discussions with the
\nparents.<\/p>\n
\"The program had been arranged. It would be a pity to cancel
\nit .. so we had meetings to talk about the situation with the
\nparents, and kept close contact with the hosts,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"But in the end, it was up to the parents. We wouldn't send
\nthem if the parents didn't want them to go,\" Tengen added.<\/p>\n
Exchange information with the host families and the CISV
\nIndonesia chapter played a big part in ensuring the success of
\nthe program.<\/p>\n
Adviser and co-founder of CISV Indonesia Mira Wisendha said
\nthey had sent detailed information about the latest situation in
\nIndonesia to avoid unwarranted fears.<\/p>\n
\"We regularly sent reports about our activities here so they
\ncould see that their children would be fine,\" she said.<\/p>\n
All the efforts bore fruit in the end as none of the parents
\ncanceled their child's trip and CISV headquarters managed to
\nconvince the Norwegian government.<\/p>\n
\"Although they're afraid, I think my parents want me to
\nexplore and experience things. Moreover, if it (the bombing)
\nteaches peace and tolerance, that's the aim of this program,\"
\nLauritz added.<\/p>\n
The host parents' role in explaining the real situation to the
\nchildren proved to be most helpful.<\/p>\n
\"I try to give the best information I know about the bombing,\"
\nsaid Mira, who hosted Jorgen Hebe, 14.<\/p>\n
Tengen added that after spending three weeks in the country,
\nthe students all said they had a great time, and many even said
\nthey would come on their own some day when they were older.<\/p>\n
The commitment from the students and parents as members of
\nCISV is inseparable from the organizations philosophy that
\nno country should be excluded from its programs.<\/p>\n
\"We also sent our children to conflict-torn Colombia, why
\nwould it be any different with Indonesia? In addition, we believe
\nin the principal of learning by doing. Children have to get
\nfirst-hand experience,\" Mira said.<\/p>\n
Founded by British psychologist Doris Allen 52 years ago, CISV
\nbelieves that peace can take root by helping youngsters to
\nunderstand different cultures and become more sensitive about
\ntheir environment.<\/p>\n
CISV programs emphasize cross-cultural education to combat
\nracism, xenophobia, religious and any other forms of prejudice in
\nfamilies, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces around the world.<\/p>\n
It now has 62 countries as members and CISV Indonesia, which
\nwas established 10 years ago, now has 250 families as members.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/norwegian-students-have-fun-despite-fears-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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