Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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Do you have any advantages being Mk’s? Well, just traveling is interesting, and you learn a lot from just traveling back and forth. Growing up in a different country you learn different things. I don't think we've learned any more than anybody here, like being extra-privileged or anything like that, but... I think we've been under-privileged. Pete Genheimer As a missionary kid you get exposed to many different cultures, and these cultures, well, they may not have an impact on a guy’s life, but you know, even little things that you bring from different cultures do make a difference. If you act in a certain way. do things differently... Steve Jergenson Do you think you’ll ever go back to Africa? I hope so, as soon as I'm done with school. Pete Genheimer Do you feel comfortable here? Sometimes, but sometimes you feel like you sort of don't fit in. just because you’re from a different country. I did fit in there, because that’s where I grew up. but now that I’ve left. I’ll probably feel out of it there too when I go back, because I'll have changed in the States. Pete Genheimer What kind of adjustments do you have to make in coming here? You have to adjust to the different style of living.the different people and their behaviour, the different food; you have to adjust to a totally different culture. Steve Voth You have to adapt to the status quo of the young people, not of the society, who claim to oppose the status quo of the society. Jim Worgan I had to adjust to the American culture. Not so much the way people think, but the way people do things. The major problem is when something conflicts with the two cultures you are involved in. You have to make a decision as to which to do in the given culture. Tom Youngquist The greatest adjustment for me is figuring out social play-what is done and said and how it’s done and said. Ways of making the adjustment can be to stick the foot in the mouth, act dumb, or play the role of silent observer. Either way. it's a problem. Nancy Hill

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Do you feel pressured or left out by other students? In the beginning you feel pressured by other students; later on you realize that most of them aren't as mature as you. and that they don't have the experience you’ve had. Steve Voth Ye$-pre$sured to become accepted by them, and left out because you’re left out by them. Jim Worgan Do MK’s have problems others don’t? You better believe it. Language transition can become a real problem in self-expression, particularly if it’s a transition from the foreign idiom to the vernacular of the States. There is even a transitional gap between English and English, and the problem is not to learn the language as such, but to be able to function normally in that idiom. That is, without having to halt and stutter or keep asking, ’'What?’' Do you feel like an American? Do you consider yourself one? Yes—but I consider myself an American by birth, but Argentine by heart. Do you know your family well? No. Like my two youngest brothers I haven't seen for three years. When I was home last they were away at school. I’m probably like a stranger, an aunt or something. Is there a stereotype of Americans? All rich. All blonde. All they think of is money. Argentina is a country very much against Americans, but deep down inside they would give anything to go to the States, at least to visit. Nancy Hill THE MISSIONARY KIDS more commonly known as ’’MK s. constitute one of Bethel's unique minority groups. They bring with them an often bizarre mixture of experiences. Take Pete Genheimer for instance. I once slept 100 yards from where 24 lions killed a buffalo. And that's true. 1. Nancy Hill. 2. Haul Swanson. 3. Paul Lentz. Next Page 1. Tom Ycungquist. 2. Sue Law. 3. Jon Lewis 20

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Any girl who has ever run the length of the hockey field for that 70 minute game must surely, with pounding heart and aching side, have entertained the fleeting question, “Why am I doing this?” 22