WBHS is host to three international students

WITTENBERG — Three flags hang in the entryway of Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School.

The flags of Germany, Indonesia and Thailand are on display to welcome the three international students attending WBHS this year.
Aris Benjasuphanimit is from Bangkok, Thailand, and is living with Jennifer Hagen in Birnamwood. Zahra Syafinatunnajah is from Benkulu in South Sumatra, one of the many islands that makes up the country of Indonesia, and is staying with Zach and Christine Popp their family of seven family in Wittenberg. Jan-Daniel Moulai is from Heingen, Germany, and staying with Bobbie Jo Wilson and Mark Malueg and their middle school son, in Wittenberg.

The two girls came here through the Council on International Educational Exchange and Moulai came through International Experience USA. All three students didn’t specifically choose Wisconsin but are excited to be a part of the Midwest experience.

Benjasuphanimit and Syafinatunnajah have the biggest adjustment to make as they are from tropical regions of the world and admit to being excited to experiencing their first winter of snow. They also come from areas known for spicy food. According to each of the girls, the food here could use a little more heat.

Moulai has been taking English lessons since the second grade. His participation in extracurricular activities includes landing the lead male role in “Hello, Dolly!” for the high school musical this November.

The classes the students take are similar to what they would need to take in their own schools. Adjusting to the class schedules has been an interesting experience. Moulai noted that in Germany the students stay in the same class rooms and the teachers come to them.

Benjasuphanimit has more of a language barrier so she’s not involved with the extracurricular activities and she also doesn’t have to take a second language. The other two students are taking Spanish.

Living so far away from home can lead to homesickness, so both organizations encourage the students to stay engaged with the host families and limit communication back home to once a month. With the ease of use of cell phones and emails the students admit that isn’t a suggestion any of them follows.

Christine Popp has seven children and home schools them, but when she saw an ad to be a host family, she convinced her husband, Zach, that it would be a good experience for the family.

“I’m a big advocate for ‘the more the merrier’ outlook, and it’s been fun to have Zahra staying with us,” said Popp.

Syafinatunnajah cooked a traditional Indonesian chicken dinner for the family, which Popp said was very tasty. The family took her to Culver’s to introduce her to frozen custard, which is now a favorite treat for Syafinatunnajah.

All three international students are impressed at the amount of cheese consumption in this area.

“The deep fried cheese curds are the best,” said Moulai, who admits he’s not a fan of the cold squeaky ones.

There isn’t much time for the students to socialize with each other as their school schedules and activities keep them very busy. They appreciated the gesture of hanging the flags in the entryway and are enjoying this learning experience.