Cassie Bowen visits ISE friends in Europe
Over the years, Cassie Bowen of Aledo has experienced cultures around the world without leaving her parent's home. Lasting friendships have been made with students hosted in the Boden home through International Student Exchange. In July 2008, Bowen traveled to Europe to meet four of her foreign exchange friends.
Bowen's three-week trip overseas began in Berlin visiting Laura Kase. Laura lived with the Bowen family for the 2005-06 school year and attended Aledo High School. While in Berlin, Cassie visited the Checkpoint Charlie where people were smuggled into West Berlin and Bradenburg Gate, the famous icon of Berlin that once separated East from the West.
Cologne, Germany was Bowen's next stop to visit Esther Rychlik. Esther stayed with the Bowen family for three months in 2006. She also met her friend, Isabelle Uehre from Dusseldorf. Isabelle was hosted in 2006 by Dave and Patti Langum of Aledo.
"I went to a real German soccer game," said Bowen. She found their opening tradition to be interesting. The fans wave scarves in their team colors while everyone sings the soccer anthem. Bowen also went shopping in the Netherlands and visited three castles.
Cassie flew from Cologne to Vienna, Austria and noticed many people spoke English. They were friendly and willing to help, since she does not speak German. Bowen reunited with her friend, Marlies Sebeditsch who was hosted by Kenny and Mary Tharp. Marlies attended Westmer High School in the spring of 2007.
"We took a train to Salzburg where we got to see Mozart's birthplace and take a Sound of Music tour;" said Bowen. "I learned a lot about the history of the real VonTrapp family."
Bowen has learned how other countries celebrate Christmas or birthdays, what kinds of games they play and how their school systems work plus much more as she meets students through ISE. Her mother, Deb Bowen, is Heartland director of International Student Exchange and thanks to wonderful area host families and schools, many students are given the opportunity to fulfill their dream of coming to America.
"Now I've gotten to experience some of the European culture first hand," said Cassie.
She is a 2007 graduate of Aledo High School and a sophomore at Greenville College studying elementary education. She plans on staying in contact with her friends around the world through MySpace and FaceBook or phone calls on special occasions.
