Vadim Kurochkin, an American Councils for International Education exchange student from Kyrgyzstan, made a presentation on his home country at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church on November 24, 2013, at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy. Vadim, 16, has been a part of the Holy Trinity community since his arrival to America in mid-August. He also serves in the altar where he is a welcome addition.
 
Vadim is living with a host family in Plymouth, CT, and is attending classes at nearby Terryville High School, where he is enrolled as a junior. He will study in America for the entire 2013-2014 academic year. Vadim is very active at THS and recently concluded a performance with the school's Drama Club. A LEO Club inductee, Vadim was also team member of the Fall Cross-Country team. He is also a junior volunteer at Bristol Hospital.
 
In addition to community service, all United States government sponsored scholarship exchange students are expected to participate in International Education Week which is held every November. Vadim's presentation at Holy Trinity, delivered in front of 35 parishioners, was in fulfillment of this American Councils requirement. Kyrgyzstan received its independence from the former U.S.S.R. in 1991, and Vadim proudly spoke of his home country.   
 
International Education Week is an opportunity for exchange students to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programs which prepare Americans for global environment, and to attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.
 
To learn more about the work of American Councils for International Education (Washington, DC), and to how to become a host family to an international exchange student, go to www.americancouncils.org, or call 202-833-7522.