World Link students participate in a diversity immersion activity during their Mid-Term Program on MLK Weekend where they are exposed to diversity issues in the USA. This activity is followed by a Melting Pot Essay Competition where students are asked to compare and contrast diversity issues in the USA with issues in their home countries.

Two of our students received honors.

Jamilya Masylbekova

Benay Gozkaman

Jamilya Masylbekova (Kyrgyzstan) was awarded second place. Jamilya wrote of the conflicts in her home country between the people of the north and the south. She equated this to the civil rights movement of the 1960′s when black people were struggling for acceptance in their birth country under the leadership of Martin Luther King. She has a wish that this same kind of movement can occur in her country and the two ethnic factions can learn to live as one country and one people.

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Benay Gozkaman (Turkey) received honorable mention. Benay wrote of how her time in America has shown her so much about what is possible for a blind person. After being told that education was not important to her, she has come to know blind people in the USA that have good careers and participate fully in life as an independent person. She hopes to return home and change laws and minds about what is possible for blind people so that she can improve opportunities for others without sight.

Arevik Torosyan

On Saturday, February 18 there was a fundraiser dinner featuring international comfort food and good music in the IMS gym for Arevik Torosyan, an exchange student from Armenia, who was at IMS three years ago and who is now fighting a life-threatening disease. Her parents are not able to afford the treatments she needs. While at IMS Arevik was involved in FFA, choir, and volunteered for numerous activities.

Benay Gozkaman & Jamilya Masylbekova accepting donations for the meal.

Over $3,340 was raised for Arevik.  Sherrie Nisly, World Link area coordinator, commented, “the evening was a wonderful event, the food spectacular, the entertainment delightful, and everyone who pulled together to  make it happen – incredible!” 

Including workers there were over 180 people that came in a steady stream. Highlights of the evening  included Artemiy Sayfutdinov playing his guitar and singing Russian songs, Benay Gozkaman singing Turkish songs and dressed in full Turkish regalia, and Jamilya Masylbekova playing her national instrument.  In addition to the IMS World Link students other students and their host families who came to help and provided food included: Xenia from Moldova (attending Knoxville); Levente from Serbia (attending Solon); Ochanya from Nigeria, Vuk from Montenegro, Tariq from Jordan, Eliso from Georgia (all attending Williamsburg); and Amany from Egypt.  

Encouraging words can be posted on the facebook page: Support Arevik T. 

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Marilyn Hansen

The World Link students and their families cooked the food, hosted the event, and entertained the guests at the fundraiser.

Jamilya Masylbekova

Artemiy Sayfutdinov

Benay Gozkaman

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says “I am pleased to announce the 12th annual International Education Week starting on November 14. This year’s theme is International Education: Inspiring Students Locally to Succeed Globally.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of Education and State. It celebrates the benefits of understanding the world around us so we can better communicate and collaborate with others from different cultures. It is an ideal opportunity to inspire students to broaden their horizons through global learning, foreign languages and international exchange.

Therefore, we must work together to give all of our students an outstanding education, which includes learning about our global partners – their cultures, histories, languages, values, and viewpoints. We must focus on integrating international perspectives into our classrooms. It is through education and exchange that we become better collaborators, competitors and compassionate neighbors in this global society. ”

Three of our international students displayed information about their countries today. IMS is very fortunate in having international students teach us about their country as they live and interact with us throughout the school year.

Jamilya Masylbekova, Kyrgyzstan

Benay Gozkaman, Turkey and Artemiy Sayfutdinov, Russia

Jamilya Masylbekova

Jamilya Masylbekova came to the United States with the FLEX program from Kyrgyzstan (located in central Asia between China and Kazakstan).  “I knew about the program before. But we can participate only in 9-10-11th grade. This year was the last chance for me and I won this year and got to come to the USA,” said Jamilya.  While attending IMS Jamilya lives with George and Marilyn Hansen in Kalona.

Jamilya is from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  She lives in an apartment on the first floor with her family; her mother Jenna teaches Russian, her father Almaz is a hotel manager, and she has two younger brothers Iskender and Eldiyar.  Her grandmother Nurjamal also lives with them.

“I have found a lot of good things here.  I like it very much.  It is interesting to see the USA with my own eyes, not just hear,” commented Jamilya.  One difference she noted between school in Krygyzstan and IMS is that we do not wear uniforms and we are allowed to choose classes. 

Jamilya wants to share about her culture and has played her national instrument, the Komuz, in chapel. She is also part of the IMS cross country team. Her future goal is to pass to go to a good university.  Thanks, Jamilya, for sharing your talents with us!