Dixon Historical Society held a presentation April 27 on American Field Service, an organization focusing on international secondary-school exchanges, volunteering opportunities and intercultural learning. Its foreign exchange program, over the decades, has connected many families around the world. Photo courtesy of the Dixon Historical Society

 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon Historical Society hosted a presentation on the American Field Service (AFS) Dixon Chapter, started by the Woodman family.

The Woodman family introduced the program to Dixon in 1956. They valued the offerings that a more worldly perspective could provide and Dixon Historical Society President Kim Schroeder-Evans agrees.

“For most students who lived abroad, as well as host families that hosted international students, the common theme is that the experience is life-changing and forms lasting bonds. Those bonds help us learn about and understand one another. We realize we are all the same, no matter where we come from,” said Schroeder-Evans.

According to the American Field Service website, the organization began as a volunteer ambulance corps in 1914. After wartime, it evolved into its current form, focusing on international secondary-school exchanges, volunteering opportunities and intercultural learning.

The event included various speakers who either lived abroad or hosted foreign students. The first student to participate was Early Timm, who went to Norway.

Other participants included Loren Bennett, who went to France in 1958; Greg Cook, who spent a summer in Uruguay in 1974; and Schroeder-Evans, spending time in Belgium in 1986.

Several host families were also recognized, including the Woodman family, the Kleeberger family and Katrina Coelho Spradling, who hosted three students from Argentina, Denmark and Italy. All three of Spradling’s students attended her daughter’s wedding.

International-themed refreshments were provided by Carol and Paul Abrams, including traditional dishes from the Philippines, Mexico and the Mediterranean. Punjabi Dhaba Dixon also provided an Indian dish. Photo courtesy of the Dixon Historical Society

Carol McCaulley, a host-family coordinator from American Field Service, also talked. According to McCaulley, early in the program, applicants could not choose the country that they hosted students from or were assigned to. In the 1970s, American Field Service changed format and allowed foreign exchange students to visit internationally, not just the United States.

“Things have changed but the point has stayed the same: to learn a new culture, learn a new language and learn about yourself,” said Schroeder-Evans.

The presentation was held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. April 27 at Dixon Methodist Church, 209 N. Jefferson St. International-themed refreshments were provided by Carol and Paul Abrams, including traditional dishes from the Philippines, Mexico and the Mediterranean. Punjabi Dhaba Dixon, 7800 Batavia Road, also provided an Indian dish. Approximately 25 attendees participated in the day’s events.

Throughout March and April, the Dixon Historical Society earned $505 in school visits, nearly reaching its annual goal of $800 toward donations or education. The organization has also started a new donation drive to raise $2,000 for exhibits and case boxes. Even while adhering to the past, Dixon Historical Society remains focused on the future.

For more information, visit dixonhistoricalsociety.org or visit in person at 125 W. A St.