On Saturday, August 19, the ASSIST Class of 2006/07 converged on Logan Airport in Boston, MA, to begin its ASSIST year. The first scholars landed at 5:55 am, and the last group landed wearily just after midnight. Greeted by ASSIST staff, they boarded buses for the trip to Pomfret School, CT, where they would enjoy their time at the ASSIST Orientation.
Getting Ready The journey had begun as early as the previous September for students in Australia, China and Vietnam, as they completed applications and awaited interviews in October and November. For estudiantes in España, applications were due in February, leading to March interviews. ASSIST interview teams spent 9 weeks overseas interviewing the 625 finalists selected from an applicant pool of more than 1,600 students.
After acceptance into the program, students began to receive information from ASSIST to help them prepare for their exchange year. As the class was identified, ASSIST staff worked carefully with member schools to place students in educational communities where they could be successful. Ultimately, each student received the long-awaited packet from an American independent school, announcing that they were accepted as the ASSIST scholar.
For each student, a pre-departure orientation helped to prepare them for their time in the States as ASSIST ambassadors. The pictures below show a formal reception at the embassy in Sofia hosted by John Beyrle, American Ambassador to Bulgaria.
The 2006-07 students from Bulgaria gathered at a pre-departure orientation at the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
L to R: Veronika Krasteva, Cultural Attaché Deborah Smith, Milena Dokova, ASSIST-Bulgaria Representative Lydia Dachkova, U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle, Elitsa Nacheva, Kristina Simeonova, Velislav Minchev
Elitsa Nacheva, who is now attending Choate-Rosemary Hall School, CT, with U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle at the pre-departure orientation held at the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Our Newest CountriesOver the past two years, ASSIST has expanded into three new partner countries. Vietnamese scholars are entirely new to the program, with our first class coming last year. We had previously received Austrian students through our presence in Germany, but this was the first year that a competition was held directly in Vienna, where country coordinator Katarina Krizková and ASSIST Director Woody Rutter also conducted the interviews. As for China, this was our first group of mainland Chinese students since the Class of 1989/90.
Pictured below are the scholars representing these three new partner countries.
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| Our three ASSIST students from Austria (L to R): Nadja Buisman, Northfield Mt. Hermon School, MA, Clemens Leopold, Gould Academy, ME, and Saskia Leopold, Westminster School, CT. | This year's ASSIST students representing Vietnam: Top row from L to R: An Thi Minh Vo (Brentwood School, CA), Thao Thi Phuong Hoang (The Hill School, PA) Bottom row from L to R: Phuong Anh Hoang Nguyen (Indian Springs School, AL), Giang Ngan Nguyen (Peddie School, NJ) |
This year's ASSIST students representing China: Top Row from L to R: Helen Fei Sun (St. George's School, RI), Emily Xu (Maret School, D.C.), Carol Wu (Head-Royce School, CA), Shelley Sun (National Cathedral School, D.C.), Vivi Feng (Catlin Gabel School, OR), Icing Song (Overlake School, WA), Veronica Luo (Washington International School, D.C.) |
Orientation — Summer of 2006Perhaps the most notable and enjoyable ASSIST tradition is the Orientation each class enjoys upon arrival in the U.S. For the third summer, we enjoyed the hospitality of Pomfret School, in Connecticut, which also rejoined the program for 2005/06 and is hosting a student from Bulgaria. From friendship games to leadership exercises to the day in Boston to the entertainment evening, it was a remarkable experience for students and staff.
The pictures below highlight some of the activities from this special time.
Adjusting to a New CultureBy Veronica Luo, Washington International School, Washington, D.C.
New life here at Washington International School is pretty enjoyable. We have such a beautiful campus! Also, the teachers are very helpful! For October, I have received two birthday party invitations, for which I am really glad and appreciate. Although deep friendship is yet to form, it definitely takes time.
A Tale of Two Birthdays •
STORY 
