American Field Service Exchange Program - Overseaer Yearbook (New York, NY)

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3. 'Ss BECKY O'BRIEN Marysville, California pus, Qu. SHIRLEY OSUMI Santa Ana, California Ealing EWR Dave-pointing out the Eilzug in a Dutch station. He is wearing an Austrian costume. 2, M-.gzg?'iTi hh 'R 0' at el i- SB ig 'T at X 4 JOHN POLACKO Ballston Spa, New York BIARK SANDLER West Hartford, Connecticut GERRY SHEAY Decatur, Illinois MARY SMILEY Torrance, California WSW ,gy TIBI XVIXTED Mishawalca, Indiana D. Berarclo and J. Polaclko walk on the clrawbridge of the Reigesburg Castle with the Austrian Prize. .- Q E

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Bonjour . . . If you were to ask any of the eleven AFS Belgian returnees what country foutside of the United States, is the greatest, there would be no question as to our answer. We all agree that it is Belgium. The Belgian people, whose hospitality is well known throughout the world, accepted us wholeheartedly into their homes. Some of us had language barriers to overcome, but we soon learned from our Belgian families that kindness is the international language. This little nation, which is sandwiched between France, Germany, and Holland, possesses a combination of qualities from these and many other countries in Eu- rope. Our Belgium is really unique. From mountains to lowlands, from historical showplaces to small town markets, Belgium has plenty of charm. We soon be- came aware of the many famous Flemish painters, and for many of us this was our first experience with the finer things in life. European history was there be- fore our eyes in these paintings and in countless other Belgian sights. Will any of us ever forget the Mannekin Pis, the World's Fair, or the countless youth hostels which we invaded? Maybe our feet did ache after those long walks through Antwerp, but that was only a small price to pay for the valuable experiences we enjoyed. No, we will never forget the Belgians, but will they forget us? Surely the ice cream salesmen will notice a lag in their business and the souvenir shops will not be as frequented. But most important of all were our families . . . and we all know that our memories will be with them forever. How many of us made the promise, I'll be back again, sometime. We all did, and who knows, maybe we will, for Belgium became our second homeland . . . Au revoir!