B&H Exchange

Call for 2010 program applicants

cphillip — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:52:44 +0000

The US Embassy in Sarajevo has opened its call for 2010 Youth Leadership Program applicants. To find it if you’re eligible, read the requirements here.

Willamette Photos!

cvenable — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:37:30 +0000

Photos from Ginny and Al Furtwangler!

cphillip — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:31:05 +0000

belma — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:35:40 +0000

Hi! I’m Belma Sarajlic, one of the student participants of the YLP 2009, and I really can’t wait to come to Salem!

Since I already met my host family through Facebook (God bless it!), I can’t wait to meet the Willamette University proffesors.

I’m also really looking forward to meeting new culture and customs, and sharing the knowledge about my country.

I’m very excited about our visists to museums and galleries in Oregon and Washington DC because I love exploring history and learning something new, and I also love to walk a lot and these tours seem like a perfect match of learning and walking.

Hrvoje´s profile

hrvoje — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:34:16 +0000

Hi everyone… My name is Hrvoje Lasic, I am student, one of the participants of youth leadership program for Bosnia and Herzegovina in USA, Salem, OR… I am from Široki Brijeg, town in Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina… I like nature, animals, I´m interested in learning about your culture, and your country… This is my first time to go in USA, and I am looking forward to meet all people there… I also like watching sports, and meeting new people… I like to eat everything, and I like to try something new when I can… I like listening music, and I would like to learn you something about our country, and at least little bit of our language, if you want of course

Lejla’s profile

lejla — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:46:56 +0000

Hello everybody!

My name is Lejla Kusturica,I’m one of the three Bosnian teachers who are coming to Salem through YLP 2009 program. I am 35 and I have been working as an English as a foreign teacher for 9 years in Tuzla,B&H. I have never been to the US and I am really looking forward to seeing the country and meeting new people. I am also hoping to learn more about American culture and tradition, as well as bring Bosnian way of life closer to my new American friends. In my free time I like to go for walks,watch movies, listen to music, cook, eat out, dance. I’m quite outgoing and enjoy the company of other people. Oh, I must not forget to say that I LOVE dogs:))

Important Information for Participants’ April 3rd Arrival

garlands — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:19:12 +0000

Hello YLP Participants,

It’s hard to believe that you will be in Salem, Oregon in exactly one week! The Youth Leadership Program staff at Willamette University has been very busy making all the necessary last minute preparations for your arrival. Our first priority is to get you here safely! It is very important that you carefully read the information provided below. This contains everything you need to know from the time you board your plane in Zagreb to the time you set foot on the ground in Portland, Oregon.

1. Supervision While Traveling

Students, please remember that you are under the supervision of the three teachers traveling with you: Lejla, Vanja, and Kata. Please be respectful and listen to any instructions they give you during this time. You also have a three hour layover in the Dulles International Airport. You must be extra cautious of the time and make sure you are aware of the flight boarding time that is printed on your boarding pass. The flight will leave without you! Keep your passport and boarding passes in a safe place at all times and frequently check to make sure you have them with you.

2. Immigration and Customs Forms

While flying to the U.S., you will be asked to fill out two forms—one is for immigration (which refers to your entering the country), and one is for customs (which refers to your belongings entering the country. Please fill them out carefully before the airplane lands. You are not required to itemize foreign merchandise for personal use—for example, clothing, toiletries, cameras, portable radios, if they belong to you, and they accompany you into and out of the United States. You must, however, declare the value of any foreign gifts in U.S. dollars. As a nonresident, you are allowed up to $100 worth of merchandise, free of duty and internal revenue tax, as gifts for other people. A flight attendant can help you with the forms if you have questions. Anywhere on these forms that you are asked where you will be staying in the U.S., you should put this address:

Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301

3. Passport Control

Upon arrival at the airport, your first stop will be Passport Control. You will, of course, go to the non-U.S. citizen line. When you approach the Passport Control desk, you should have your passport, your DS-2019 form, and the two forms you filled out on the airplane in your hand. If the officer asks you about the program, you will tell him or her that it is a U.S. Department of State exchange program administered by Willamette University. Should the immigration officer have any concerns about your admission to the country, you may suggest that he or she contact the U.S. Department of State through the Operations Center (202) 647-1512, or the program officer, Carolyn Lantz (571) 217-0765, or Liz Garland’s cell phone (503) 881-0674.

4. Baggage Claim

Your next stop will be the baggage claim area. When I returned from Sarajevo, it took about 20 minutes before my suitcase appeared on the luggage belt. If it seems you’re waiting too long for your luggage, please don’t panic, it will eventually show up. Once you have your luggage, double check the ID tag, or even open your suitcase and briefly look over the contents to make sure it’s your suitcase. Many bags look alike!

5. Customs

As soon as you have your luggage, proceed to the customs with your documents ready. He or she may ask you some questions about where you are coming from and what you are bringing in with you. There is no need to be intimidated or afraid, just answer each question honestly. A traveler requiring medicines that contain habit-forming drugs or narcotics (e.g., cough medicine, diuretics, heart drugs, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, stimulants, etc.) should:

Have all drugs, medicines, and similar products properly identified.
Carry only such quantity as would normally be used by an individual having a health problem requiring the drugs or medicines.
Obtain either a prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is for use under a doctor’s direction and that it is necessary for your physical well being while traveling.
Declare such drugs or medications to the customs officer.

The customs officer may also ask you about any food you are carrying. you may not bring fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, and any other food that is no processed. Something like a chocolate bar is okay. If they want to check your bag for these things, which is often done randomly, they may send you to the Department of Agriculture area where they will screen your luggage. If you have a food item that you don’t declare, even an apple you brought in your carry-on bag, you may be charged a fine of $100 or more. The customs officer and the Department of Agriculture are also going to want to know if you have been on a farm. This is because they want to kept the U.S. protected from hoof-and-mouth disease, avian flu, and other animal diseases.

6. Boarding the Bus to the Main Terminal

Once you have passed through customs, you are ready to board the bus which will take you to the main terminal where the Willamette University Staff will be waiting to meet you. *However, it is very important that you board the bus and proceed to the main terminal as one group. We are asking that once you’ve passed through customs you DO NOT board the bus until ALL participants have passed through customs. We know this will be a long wait for those of you who are the first to pass through customs, but this is a necessary request and we appreciate your understanding. Just relax and enjoy each others company while waiting.

Please click on the links below to see a brief video of how you will proceed through the Portland International Airport upon arrival. This information is very helpful and will help clarify the information you just read!

Meeting Willamette Staff

We look forward to seeing you on April 3rd!

Attention host families and participants alike!

cphillip — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:17:51 +0000

We now have a host family information page, “2009 HOST FAMILIES!” If you don’t have the password, please email me at cphillip@willamette.edu.

Interactive program calendar now up

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:48:32 +0000

The BiH program site now has an interactive, nearly final calendar! View it in Week, Month, or Agenda mode using the tabs along the top right, and view the information that’s most relevant to you by selecting and deselecting various parts of the calendar by clicking the down arrow in the top right corner.

Welcome a student from Bosnia and Herzegovina into your home

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:08:04 +0000

Greetings, Salem, OR, area families!

I hope you will host a student during their stay here. The bright youth leaders chosen for participation in this program are fluent in English, and eager to share in a cultural exchange with your family. Your commitment of transportation, meals and time will be rewarded with a rare opportunity to trade worldviews, experiences and stories.

As a bonus, you are giving a young leader the opportunity of a lifetime. With your help, the students will attend the Civic Education and Leadership Institute at Willamette University, where they will expand their understanding of democratic processes, and build appreciation of various beliefs and cultures through community service projects, hands-on learning with Willamette Academy students, cultural outings, and participation in engaging debates.

Students will begin their stay in Salem on April 5, 2009 and depart on April 28 (tentatively).

Read more about the program, get information on hosting, and then apply!

Thanks,
Crystal Jeffers
cphillip@idebate.org
(503) 361-5400