A student exchange program that involves family

A student exchange program that involves family

By Hyginus Hardoyo

JAKARTA (JP): Are you looking for an international student
exchange program which also involves the participation of members
of the family?

If you are, learn about the Children's International Summer
Villages (CISV), a charitable organization designed to explore
relevant themes through short term, nonformal educational
activities in local, national and international context.

Milly B. Sartono, president of CISV Indonesia, told The
Jakarta Post that CISV offered opportunities for youngsters,
adults and families to make new friendships worldwide.

For the students taking part in the program, the benefits are
obvious in that they are able to broaden their knowledge through
various activities jointly carried out with their foreign
counterparts, while at the same time their parents can also
actively be involved in the organization.

"I spend my spare time participating actively at CISV because
I agree with the objective of the organization -- to help foster
understanding and friendship for the sake of creating a peaceful
world," she said.

"At CISV I learn how to be punctual and settle conflicts
amicably without forcing your will on others," said Milly, a
project coordinator at PT Cipta Strada, a company which
specializes in the planning and supervision of road and bridge
construction.

Milly explained that when she joined the organization she was
made team leader of a group of ten 13-year-olds in an interchange
program to the U.S. in 1994.

Milly, a mother of two grown-up boys, said after returning
from America she became more involved in the organization's
activities and was appointed to hold the two-year presidency of
the CISV Indonesia in 1999.

CISV, whose staff members are all volunteers, is an
independent, nonpolitical organization promoting peace and cross-
cultural friendship, she said.

Founded by Doris Allen, a psychologist at the University of
Cincinnati, USA, in 1950, it is a charitable organization
independent of any government, political party, religious body or
other organizations.

According to a 1999 record, it had over 148,000 participants
from nearly 100 countries.

Milly, who was accompanied by Maria Surjadi and Joedomo
Setyawan, respectively chairpersons of two chapters under CISV
Indonesia, said the organization strived to stimulate development
of amicable relationships, effective communications skills,
cooperation and leadership qualities.

Maria explained that the organization had various programs
including the village program, interchange program, international
summer camps and seminar camps.

The village program is a four-week international camp. Each
delegation consist of two girls and two boys aged 11 accompanied
by one adult. The delegates come from 12 nations.

This multilanguage camp features a mixture of educational,
cultural and sports activities which emphasize cooperation, and
global and intercultural living. In a natural way, the children
are made to realize that the differences among them are less
important than the similarities that bind them together.

The interchange program is a bilateral, family-centered
exchange between two international CISV chapters. The
participants are children from age 12 to 15.

They visit their counterparts of the same age, sex and general
interest in another country for about three weeks and in the
following year they will host their counterparts at their homes.

This program is designed to enable the whole family to form
lasting friendships and learn about another way of life and
culture.

The summer camp is a multicultural camp, which develops a
particular educational theme through international activities and
discussions with emphasis on youth leadership.

"In addition to the various programs, there is also a local
work program which involves the participation of local people,"
Maria said. This program is designed to accommodate members who
were not selected to go overseas.

She said the local work activities are designed to promote
peace. In Indonesia some of the themes have been "Getting close
to nature", "Helping the poor" and "Preventing drug addiction".

Joedomo, a lecturer at Satyagama University, said he was
satisfied with CISV's activities as seen in the development of
his daughter.

"The activities in this organization have made my daughter
more independent. She joined the overseas program twice at the
age of 12 and 15, respectively. At the age of 17 she decided that
she wanted to go to Australia for studies and she is there until
now," he said.

Eko M. Kartodirdjo, the father of three children who had also
joined the program, shared Joedomo's views, saying his children
have become more confident of speaking in public.

"You see, one of the two girls leading the ceremony is my
daughter," he said, referring to the rehearsal at the Kanisius
school complex in Jakarta by 84 students, who are scheduled to
take part in overseas programs between June and July.

At the rehearsal, each group presented a number of activities,
including dances, songs and poetry reading in front of their
parents.

After the presentation, the parents evaluated their
performance and advised them on how to behave during their stay
abroad.

It's an ongoing program. This year they are going abroad and
next year it will be their turn to host their counterparts at
their homes. It means all members of the family will be involved
again.