Exchange student enjoys rural America

GRANT COUNTY — Students from across the globe are experiencing what small-town America is like, through the lens of Grant County.

Several students are spending a school year in the Columbia Basin through the American Scholastic Association International.

Ephrata resident Renee Hale’s family is hosting Julian Bruyere, a student from Belgium.

Bruyere, 18, lives in a city of 8,000 people per square mile. The entire population of Ephrata in 2007 was about 7,250 people.

Bruyere said when he applied for the program, he did not know where he would be placed in the U.S.

At the agency he was told, “‘I’m sending you a cat in the bag, and you just take the cat,’” he said. “I got a good kitty.”

He said living in Ephrata has been an enjoyable experience.

“I think the stuff I like most is meeting new people and like being able to speak another language,” Bruyere said.

When he arrived in the U.S., Bruyere learned quickly the English words he had been using in Belgium were somewhat taboo. English is used often in Belgium for swearing, he said.

His host brothers, Lance, 16, and Dillon, 14, taught him acceptable alternative phrases.

He also learned some of the phrases he learned in his textbooks aren’t used often by people his age.

One phrase he used, “I’ve been had,” was particularly memorable.

Bruyere said he is playing a lot more games living in Ephrata than he did in Belgium. He plays outdoor games, like four-square and basketball, and indoor games, like Monopoly and Scrabble.

As part of the rural experience, Bruyere will be showing a pig in the Grant County Spring Fair. He said pigs aren’t shown in Belgium.

“I’m excited to be at the fair, like to see how it is,” he said.

Bruyere cares for the pig himself, every morning and after school.

He said he doesn’t feel comfortable yet showing the pig.

“They told me it was very fun, so I just trust them,” he said.

Hale said her family has hosted several other students from other countries including Japan and Germany.

The biggest reason Hale hosts students is to bring a new culture to her family. She said her children learn about different lifestyles through the students.

“He’s brought a lot of fun to us,” she said. “We’ve been able to learn a lot about his family.”

Bruyere’s host sister Makayla, 9, said Bruyere plays Monopoly with her.

“He likes to watch ‘High School Musical 2’ with me,” she added.

Moses Lake residents Anna and James Hash are also hosting a student this year through the American Scholastic Association International.

Yang Howard, from China, has been living with the family since September.

“It’s really cool because it’s just a new place, new environment, and it’s really different from China,” Howard said. “It’s a great experience.”

Howard said he came to the U.S. for the experience.

“I just want to know something new,” he said.

Howard said he wanted to have a reference point for comparing China.

He said he feels lucky because his family is really nice, and he made friends in Wilson Creek, where he first started attending school, and in Moses Lake, where he now attends school.

The teachers are also nice, he added.

During his visit, Howard will see Seattle and Portland, Ore.

James Hash said the decision to participate in the program was his wife’s idea, inspired by James’ experience hosting a student when he was a youth.

The student, from Norway, ended up moving to the U.S. and working for Microsoft. They still keep in touch.

They plan to host students from Denmark and Slovakia next year.

James said Howard has taught him a lot about cooking, which is one of his interests. His family is also eating healthier.

The American Scholastic Association International is seeking additional families to host students next year.

If you are interested and want more information, call Renee Hale at 509-398-0759 or Cindy Ethington at 509-760-2914.