Written by Principal Lee Griebel of ADM [Adel Desoto Minburn] High School; Adel, IA
World Link students have had a wonderful impact on ADM’s culture and our students. Having a very homogeneous school, cultural interactions are hard to provide for our students along with the real world view of others in different countries. World Link students do an incredible job of providing that outside of Iowa small town interactions we need. They are polite, respectful and full of wonder, sometimes with things our kids take for granted.
Teachers are also blessed to have these students in their classrooms. Although at first the language barrier may seem to be a small issue, it quickly disappears. This language “bump” helps our teachers reach for new ways to explain the material which ultimately helps all students.
Each year we host 3 World Link students. Regardless of the country they come from, each one is extremely respectful, bright, energetic and full of wonder. I am very impressed with their courage and perseverance to stay with us for a year and build lifelong relationships with our students. They make the world a smaller, more personable place for our students.
World Link Organization does a great job of meeting our school’s needs. We request that each student, each year come from a different country. I want ADM students exposed to the world’s cultures not just Germany or Russia. They have done a fantastic job of providing our students and their students a chance to encounter the world in a meaningful way.
From Left to Right: ADM Principal Lee Griebel, Iqra (Pakistan/IA), Anna Pustovoit (Ukraine/IA), and Sophio Davitidze (Georgia/IA).
Left: Iqra at the start of her cheerleading season at ADM. Right: Iqra holding her trophy for being “Most Dedicated”.
Left: Anna in her traditional wear, holding her country’s flag during International Education Week. Right: Anna with FCCLA club members making dolls to raise money for Children’s Blank Hospital.
Sophio with her submission and her 1st place plaque for the Simpson College 2016 High School Art Competition.
Thank you to Principal Griebel for sharing your hosting story with us and for continuing to welcome our World Link exchange students into your school. It is the support of you and your faculty and staff that further develop our students into future youth leaders! Go Tigers!
