The Loomis Family Makes a Worldly Exchange

Dale Loomis, an eighth grade science teacher at the Narragansett Pier Middle School, grew up in a household that hosted exchange students and says she loved simply being "enlightened" by having people from other cultures live in their home.

“The type of young person that typically chooses to do this is generally outgoing, curious, and adventurous, and I enjoy that type of personality,” she said.  “I was an exchange student to Finland and it really opened my eyes to the fact that there are many people with quite different lifestyles and outlooks - it changes your perspective. You learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of. You make connections to a new family and those connections sometimes last for life. I think it is important for people to try new and different things—to stretch from their comfort zone.”

That experience as an exchange student in Finland left a lasting impression on Loomis. Students and staff at NPS know her as a thought-provoking “out of the box” kind of teacher who believes that not all students learn in the same way, therefore, taking advantage of a variety of resources both in and out of the classroom can really broaden the horizons for kids who may need the opportunity to absorb information in a different venue.

Becoming an exchange student is one of those opportunities for young teens to experience a new culture as well as a whole new way of learning. 

The Loomis’ researched a tried and true non-profit, the AFS-USA (formerly the American Field Service). They have been exchanging students throughout the world for 60 years.

For the past two years, the Loomis family visited the Dominican Republic on vacation and both the charm of the native people and the beauty of the island captured their hearts. 

Their daughter, Maddie, a 10^th grade student at Narragansett High School, was particularly captivated by the native people and their way of living. She knew immediately she wanted to share in their culture in some fashion before she graduated from high school. 

Soon after, the topic of exchange students was launched and she and her parents started the planning process.

Both of her parents are teachers.  Her dad, Chace Loomis, is a business teacher at South Kingstown High School.  In addition he and Dale own the popular in Wakefield. They decided they would host a student from another country this year before Maddie traveled to a host country. They were matched with a young lady from Argentina, Belen Barro, a senior in high school.

Barro’s home town is Puerto San Julian, a very small community with about 8,000 people.  She describes it as isolated with not a lot of vegetation, so she is completely enthralled with the beautiful landscape of Narragansett and surrounding areas in South County. 

“I love how friendly the people in this community are,” she said. “My hometown in Argentina is very close-knit just like Narragansett is.”

The Loomis’ began the process of becoming a host family last summer. 

“When you decide that hosting may be a possibility for your family, you need to be aware that there is an interview process and an extended application process as they want to make sure they are placing kids in appropriate homes,” Dale said.

“There are adjustments for sure, as you are bringing a new member into the family, but the trade-offs are well worth it. It gives you a new sense of pride in your own town and country as you become the liaison for teaching or exposing a young person to new experiences. For example, Belen had never been ice skating before and they don't have chocolate chip cookies in Argentina! And she was thrilled to visit the Bay Campus and to learn that Bob Ballard of Titanic fame worked there.”

Dale continued, “On the flip side ... I now know about an Argentinean drink called Mate', and that the area she comes from [Patagonia] has very little vegetation but they have penguins and they are enamored with Harvard from the movies!  It’s such an enriching opportunity for all involved, and it’s a memory that will last a lifetime.” 

Barro was very excited about her arrival here in the United States this past January but admits the first month was the most difficult because she didn’t know much English.  Once she grasped the language a bit better, she began making new friends and was able to participate in more social events held at the school and here in the community. 

“I love to be outside,” she said. “Back home rollerblading is my favorite pastime.” 

In Argentina, she attends a private school.  She’s used to wearing a uniform consisting of jeans a white t-shirt and a green jacket, so attending NHS and being able to wear the outfits of her fashion choice is something she’s enjoying very much. 

“The students here are not judgmental about what I wear, and I really like that,” Barrow said. 

She explains that even the public school students back in her country wear a white coat, similar to a lab jacket, over their street clothes to keep everyone consistent.

Her school day back home starts at 7:30 a.m. and finishes right before 1 p.m. Students go home to eat lunch every day and after lunch they are able to relax and hang out with friends. 

At 3 p.m. they gather for a structured physical educational time, which is not connected to school.  The town recreation department oversees the physical education, a time that students come together and play volleyball, basketball and many other similar sports that we have here in the United States. 

“One thing for sure that is different — this country gives much more homework than we get back home,” she said with a shrug. 

Barrow will be here with the Loomis family until late June.  The school year in Argentina begins in March and ends in December because the seasons there are reversed.  In July it will be the last two weeks of the winter holidays. 

She will attend college next year in Argentina and explains that tuition will cost a whopping $50 per month!  She would like to become a history teacher.

“My mom is a Kindergarten teacher so I’ve seen how much she loves her career,” Barrow said. “I have wanted to become a teacher also because my teachers back home inspire me and I love history.”

Her time here in Narragansett is going by very quickly. She is extremely outgoing and curious about the ways that Americans spend both their free time and study time, and she says all the people here are her favorite part of her stay so far.

A meat and potatoes girl, she’s enjoyed trying new dishes here and has found a particular fondness for our sweets, such as chocolate cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies.

The teachers at NHS have also been very supportive and helpful during her time here. 

“One of my favorite things to do is share my culture with the other students and teachers in Narragansett,” she said.  “We have a lot in common as teenagers, but we are not as stressed out as the students here are.”

“My hope is that students who meet me might look into becoming an exchange student themselves one day, or perhaps look into hosting a foreign exchange student.  It’s important to learn different cultures and realize that where we come from is only a small corner of the world. The Loomis family has welcomed me like a daughter, and Maddie has been like a sister to me.  I will always treasure this six months for years to come.”

Maddie Loomis received the exciting word that she was just accepted to become an exchange student in Panama.  She’s already studying her third year of Spanish so this country was a great choice for her. 

“I researched several countries and many [people] in Panama speak English.  The country is also very Americanized due to the Panama Canal.  I want to pursue a career in nursing when I graduate from NHS, and I really loved meeting the children of the Dominican when my family visited the past two years, so I can see myself working in a different country helping to care for needy kids.” 

School uniforms are also worn in Panama’s public schools.  They attend school for a half-day either in the morning or the afternoon.  The interesting twist is that the students remain in the same classroom for the day and the teacher moves from room to room, not the students. As in Argentina, students always eat lunch at home. 

One of the things Maddie is most excited about is experiencing the music of Panama.  She is very musically inclined and plays the piano and guitar, and sings as well. 

“I’m told that nearly everywhere you travel in Panama you hear the people playing music.  I think that’s going to be great all in itself,” anticipates Maddie.    .

Dale Loomis said that host families are very much in need here in New England.  In August the influx of new foreign exchange students will begin and the AFS typically needs about 17 families to place their students with.  

For those interested in learning more about hosting a student, you can visit the AFSUSA website to get specific details. 

Maddie will be the first student from Narragansett High School to travel abroad with the AFS.  For any families interested in having their child become an exchange student, you can visit www.afsusa.org for more information. 

Dale said it is an involved process but well worth it.  You need to submit detailed health records, students must write an essay about themselves, photos must be submitted of the applicant and their friends and family, and you have to have a two-hour interview with an AFS representative.  Overall, the total trip for Maddie will cost about $10,000.

Fundraising is a big part of the process as well.  Maddie has been raising money by selling homemade cookies and handmade chocolates that she makes herself.  She’s raised about $450 to date but still has a long way to go. 

Funding efforts must be completed by May 25.  In order to keep her supporters abreast of her fundraising progress as well as keeping friends, family and those interested in all of her preparations to get to Panama, Maddie has started a blog, Maddie Goes to Panama.  

You can visit this blog to learn all about her upcoming trip to Panama as well as to make a donation. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.  She also hopes you’ll like her Facebook page, Maddie Goes to Panama. 

"I'm really excited about this opportunity,” she said. “I leave in September and will return in March 2013.  I’m a little tired of the fast pace we have here.  The Panama culture encourages a more relaxed lifestyle.  They aren’t as focused on money and materialism, instead they tend to relax more and enjoy their loved ones.” 

“I’m going to miss my family and friends for sure, but I’m typically a pretty independent person by nature, so I think I’m going to enjoy the adventure and it will help get me ready for going away to college.”