thePULSEClark University Helps Foster International Good Will
By Christine R. Walsh
Turn on the daily news. Pick up that paper or click on that blogspot. It’s easy to believe that in today’s world more lines are being drawn in the sand than there are hands extending in friendship. But at the International Center of Worcester (ICW), people like Royce Anderson are working to improve international relations and bring citizens of every nation closer together.
Anderson helps run a number of programs that assist in strengthening the ties between the United States and a number of foreign countries. The International Center of Worcester’s Sister City Program, for example, creates lasting bonds between the people of Worcester and their global neighbors in Pushkin, a city in Russia. This program, which allows people from both cities the opportunity to intimately experience another country and another way of life, relies heavily on volunteers and host families.
As visiting doctors, dignitaries, students and regular citizens arrive in search of a taste of American life, Anderson encourages them to scoff at the title of “guest” and dive right into the everyday life of a host family, even if it means using a little elbow grease.
“The host families are the most important part of the program,” said Anderson in a recent interview. “Visitors come into other people’s life styles. We ask that the host families do not treat the visitors as special guests; we ask that they treat them like family. Give them chores, [ask them to] rake the leaves! The deepest bonds are created in this way and we have a whole host family orientation dedicated to this.”
Anderson and his staff have constructed the orientation process so that it is both informative and engaging. Intriguing factoids help keep things interesting. According to Anderson and his experiences, Russian visitors often feel bashful about going into their host families’ refrigerators and need to be encouraged to do so. When offered a drink, they may refuse the first three offers because they feel it is the polite way of handling the situation. Host families are instructed to press on and make certain that their guests help themselves to what they would like.
The ICW relies on government funding, Clark University, donations and the diligent and responsible people who make up the administrative staff and volunteer force. Clark University’s College of Professional and Continuing Education donates the building which houses the organization and also supplies Anderson and his staff with computer and telephone access. Anderson returns the favor through providing fascinating internship opportunities to Clark students.
ICW also offers individual and corporate memberships in order to further support different programs. But even when Anderson receives such a membership, he is constantly looking for ways to give back and make the membership valuable and useful to the member.
“There was one time when we where informed of a Russian man who was staying in the Worcester area on business,” recalled Anderson. “He would work during the day and then just sit in a hotel at night. So we called some host families who made him dinner and we contacted a student who took him shopping. We also informed him of different concerts and events he might be interested in. He was so very thankful. I never forget how rewarding this job is.”
The Sister City Program is just one of the many programs at the International Center of Worcester. To get involved, contact them at 508.793.7626 or online at www.intcent.org.
