Remembering the local Polish exchange program

Harshman’s goal of expanding area agriculture education students’ global outlook increased in scope with the addition of students from neighboring school districts: Bellwood, Juniata Valley, Williamsburg, and Martinsburg. Three agricultural-technical schools in Poland were eager to join the partnership also.

Serious vetting of students and host families followed. Harshman explained that he had perceived that the Polish Schools would handle the logistics of selecting students and host families from their locale, but those officials wanted our input in-person. Two additional trips to Poland gave Harshman an in-depth look at Polish farm life and host families eagerness to participate.

Selected to participate from the area were the following students who were interviewed by area Rotarians with experience in conducting youth Rotary Exchanges around the world.

Tyrone students were Allen Behrer and Andy Peterson of Spruce Creek.

Bellwood-Antis was represented by Thad White.

Juniata Valley approved Sam McGargle of the Alexandria area.

Williamsburg sent Brent England.

Martinsburg student Travis Frye joined the group.

Polish students represented communities outside the major Warsaw, Polish capital area.

Marcin Zawadski, from Sochachew resided with John and Karen Morrow in Sinking Valley.

Aneta Chojecka, of Rawa Mazowiecka lived with the R. Wayne Harpster family, Spruce Creek.

Bozena Kaczor, from Lowicz, resided with the Leon Dell family, Martinsburg.

Tomas Balik, also from Lowicz stayed with Bill and Bertha England of Williamsburg.

Agnieska Gryb, Rawa Mazowiecka, resided with the family of Sam McGargle, Petersburg.

Anna Reculska, Sochachew resided with the Jerry Pershing family at Pinecroft.

Local students were escorted to Poland in mid-January 1994 by Evans, Harshman, then-State Representative Samuel E. Hayes Jr. (later Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture) and Juniata Valley Vo-Ag Instructor Wayne Sollenberger. Students were introduced to local government officials, school personnel, local places of interest, and host families. As the students grew accustomed to what was about to take place, Polish students were readying for the trip to Pennsylvania. Arriving into a bitterly cold and snow-covered Tyrone landscape, one Polish student quipped, “Siberia!”

Host families met their new “family members” who soon had them warmed and welcomed. Area students also welcomed their new Polish classmates with many questions about Poland, Polish schools and how to speak some Polish phrases. Local students met with the same open arms in the Polish schools.

When interviewed at the time, local students agreed that they wanted to learn as much about a different culture as possible. Peterson had interest in geriatric care. England had a goal of working as a diplomat. White had his eye set on becoming a teacher of agriculture. McGargle remarked that he preferred to make the exchange even though he would miss his Juniata Valley High School graduation.

A recent survey of the exchange participants found nine of 12 responding. Some comments show the impact of the program. While most reported that they felt great anxiety over the language barrier, the thrill of a new experience offset the fear.

White said, “As a 16-year old kid, I was blissfully unaware of what lay ahead.”

England said, “I had no anxieties at first; I was too excited to care.”

One young Polish girl said, “I had no anxieties: I wanted to see and learn new things.”

All students had surprises in store. Behrer reported on how labor-intensive life was. His Polish family hand-made cement blocks for their own use and to sell to others. Peterson’s host family owned a farm and a hotel/restaurant in which he worked besides going to school. Polish students were amazed at the size of U.S. schools and the methods of teaching that created opportunity to solve problems, not just memorize facts.

Positives far outweighed the negatives of the exchange program. The Polish culture provided a look at the strong family ties (four generations living in the same home) Seeing the big, wider world proved valuable to all. Admiring the Pennsylvania teachers and how they related to each student caught the attention of Polish students. One Polish student was impressed with the daily flag salute at school.

Negatives that students reported were minimal. There was alcohol use. Polish students noted that American foods had too much sugar. All experienced homesickness since email, Facebook and other social media opportunities did not exist at that time. Letters to home had to suffice.

An additional opportunity to expand the global awareness of agriculture and to compare educational practices developed from the student exchange. Three Polish school directors (principals) traveled to Pennsylvania to study local school programs and methods. Polish schools were usually taught by the rote method (memorizing information based on repitition). Lectures did not allow for problem-solving activities. Polish school officials came away in agreement that Polish teachers should be sent to the U.S. to learn new teaching methods.

Area vocational agriculture instructors also had the opportunity to travel to Poland to study agriculture, Polish culture, and Polish Agricultural Schools. Expanding the world view led to lesson plans in international agriculture as well as, personal growth.

A follow-up article on Saturday will answer the question, “Where are they now?” and will explore how the exchange program affected these students’ adult lives. The world is big. Cultures may vary, but people are the same everywhere with the same daily problems to face — sometimes under harsher circumstances than others.