The year 1979 marked the tenth anniversary of the American Field 
  Service in Medicine Lodge. A self-study program and state evaluation
  of the local high school identified strengths and weaknesses and
  recommended improvements and additions to the educational program;
  AFS was an outgrowth of that study. The AFS these "Walk Together,
  Talk Together, All Ye People of the Earth" expresses its purpose
  to broaden the multi-cultural understanding of our youth.
     Mike Fisher, foreigh language instructor, was the catalyst for
  the organization of a school AFS club, and Jan (Mrs. William) Forsyth
  served as the first chapter president.
     The program provides for an American family to host for approximately
  ten months one foreign student, who lives in the home and shares the
  pleasures, affection, duties, and everyday life of the family. The student
  has the opportunity to know Americans and to observe the local culture;
  the student, in turn, introduces the community to the culture of his or 
  her native land, through speeches and pictorial presentations to many 
  local organizations, as well as through casual conversations. There are
  always adjustments by the student and host family, but usually the
  ultimate rewards are love, joy, and an enlarged concept of universal
  brotherhood.
     "From down under," Ruth McCausland of Canberra, Australia, introduced
  Medicine Lodge to AFS when she was welcomed to the home of Mary Jean
  and Laural "Dub" Rickard and their daugher, Martha. Ruth's enormous love,
  humor, and enthusiasm endeared her to family and the entire community; 
  she established aq solid foundation for the local AFS. Ruth with her
  husband, Howard Thompson, came from Australia to celebrate Christmas
  1979 with her American Mom, Dad, and sisters, and her many friends.
     In 1971 from Norway shy Laila Oppedahl joined the family of Bob and
  Charlene Larson and their children, Charyl and Robert. Laila loved the
  beauty and serenity of the hills that cradle their ranch home west of
  Medicine Lodge. At her departure Laila wrote: "I have learned a lot
  this year, the English language. I have learned to be more opened minded,
  learned new ways of acting and thinking, how to get along with people.
  I have learned more about the United States but also more about Norway."
     Since her return home, the four Larsons have traveled to Norway to
  witness Laila's marriage to Torald Storoy, visit her parents, and see
  Norway. In 1977 Laila's mother and sister visited the Larsons, bringing
  pictures of Laila's baby, Leif Eric, for "Grandma and Grandpa Larson."
  Laila is completing her university training as a teacher.
     In 1971 a young man, Gustavo Perera, came from another part of the
  world, Uruguay, South America. Leo and Rosemary Shoemaker welcomed him
  into their home. Although Gustavo did not remain the entire year, bonds
  of affection between the Shoemakers and Gustavo were firm. Rosemary has
  taken a Spanish language class in anticipation of their trip South to
  visit Gustavo.
     From France in 1972 Marie Madeliene Goujard came to live with Glen,
  Lena, and Doris Hanson. Marie's shyness diminished in the overflowing 
  love of the entire Hanson family. Her freindship with John Dawson
  futhered the outflow of her personality and her assimilation with her
  peers. When Marie returned to France, no one could anticipate we would
  see her again; but, more that a year later, John Dawson flew to Paris for
  a visit. Before he returned to the States, his parents flew to France to
  share in John and Marie's nuptials. John and Marie are students of Kansas
  State University where Marie is active in the center for Foreign students. 
  Marie's mother and brother from France have visited her in the United
  States.
     John and Laura JOhnson and family welcomed Alison Ballantine from the
  Republic of South Africa in 1974. She spoke excellent English, but we
  mid-western Americans had difficulty understanding her foreigh accent. As
  Ali learned American ways, she also broadened her understanding of South
  Africa. Ali and Medicine Lodge formed a warm kinship which continues 
  today. Ali married Wally Badler; with their new son they reside on a farm
  near Dalkeithin, South Africa.
     That same year a vivacious charmer, Vistoria Hauser, from Fugen, Austria,
  endeared herself to her host family, the Glan Hansons. Her hesitant English
  did not impede her acceptance and love from all Medicine Lodge. The close
  friendship of Vicky and Doris Hanson has continued. Doris has shared the
  last two Christmases with Vicky and her family in Austria. Vicky is
  completing her university studies in dietetics; one of her goals is a 
  return to Kansas.
     A student from Spain, Fernando Martin Galan, came to live with the
  John Clark family in 1975. Fernando had great difficulty in adjusting to
  life in America and asked AFS to return him to Spain; his request was
  granted. Now Fernando believes his decision was a mistake and is an active
  supporter of the AFS program in Spain.
     Karen Christenson from Denmark was our 1976 AFS student. Her American
  hosts were Max and Mary Rynerson an family. Because of the loving relation-
  ship of this experience, the Rynersons are planning a journey to Denmark
  to visit Karen and her family.
     Charles, Nila, and Brian Swayze provided a home full of love for a
  young man from the Phillipines, Noel Pena, in 1977. Noel's outgoing
  personality was immediately accepted by the MLHS students, and almost
  everyone in Medicine Lodge was familiar with Noel's smile, his guitar, or
  his philosophical conversations. Noel and his American family succeeded
  in introducing the Far East into the hears of many local residents.
     Also in 1977 Mike and Betty Platt and their children opened their home
  to Dominique Bailleux, a young lady from France. Domi participated in many
  school functions, but she preferred being at home with her family or by
  herself. Since she has returned to France, she had renewed her American
  experience with telephone calls and letters.
     The year 1978 brought a young girl from Finland, Raija Ajo, to live
  with the Gilbert Dawson family. Raija was a late arrival and had great
  difficulty in adjusting to life in a foreign country. She asked to be
  returned to Finland and the request was granted. Raija continues to 
  communicate with her host family, expressing her affection and for their
  care and understanding.
     The year 1978 also brought us our second student from South Africa,
  Susan Andrews. Susan was welcomed to the home of Max and Yvonne Shippy.
  Susan participated in every possible school activity and spent every
  available minute with her American friends, enjoying their comradeship -
  learning the American way of life.
     Before leaving America all AFS students travel to their point of
  departure in bus groups. En route the buses stop at prearrainged towns
  for three days. Medicine Lodge has twice been selected for these summer
  Bus-Stops. Many friendships were quickly formed; local residents still
  receive correspondence from their foreign guests of 1970 and 1971.
     Numerous Medicine Lodge people have visited former AFS students in 
  their native land or have entertained family members of the former AFS
  students. In ten brief years the AFS bonds of friendship have girded
  the globe.
     Another important aspect of AFS is the American Abroad program. 
  Through the AA, students from MLHS may live and study in different parts
  of the world for three months or for an entire school year. The students
  are received into foreign homes and the AFS experience is continued. The
  American students return with an enlarged view of their host country, but
  more importantly their view of America has been enlightened. They are
  better American for having represented their country abroad.
     In the summer of 1971 Susan Ball, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Larry
  Ball, journeyed to Bogota, Colombia, South America. She was welcomed by
  Dr. and Mrs. Rodrigo Balcazar and their four daughters. Susan's experience
  broadened her knowledge of the daily life of people in the middle class
  sector of one South American country.
     The summer of 1973 found Marcia Lawrence, daughter of Dallas and Patty
  Lawrence, in Julich, West Germany. Marica's stay was hindered by a broken
  leg suffered while playing soccer. A broken leg did not prohibit her from
  learning about Germany and enjoying her host family, Herr and Frau Gunter
  Fraundorf and their daughter, Anja. Marcia learned the German customs of
  daily shopping, cleaning, working, and entertaining. Marcia's remark when
  she returned: "I'd go back tomorrow, if I had the chance...but it's good
  to be back home" would be echoed by others who have resided in a foreign
  land.
     Tammy Strack, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Bob Strack, lived with Mr. and
  Mrs. John Crook and family in Scotland in 1975. During her year-long stay
  in Scotland, Tammy discovered all the joys of her new experiences and the
  sorrows of being far from home. She discovered within herself the ability
  to accept others, their customs and modes of living. Tammy has another
  family in another part of the world which loves and cares for her as they
  do for their own children. Her Scottis father, one of the school faculty,
  and two sisters have visited the Stracks, and the remaining part of the
  Crook family was present for Tammy's wedding during the summer of 1979.
     In 1975 Matt "El Gringo: Greco, son of Ann and Gaylord Gant, experienced
  a full school year in San Salvador, El Salvadore, with the Rafael Campo 
  family. For Matt more than any AA student from MLHS his new life demanded
  inordinate "adjustment: to an over-crowded household, to anti-American
  sentiment, to a society that subjugated his loving Spanish mother and
  sisters. Matt was the first AA student to El Salvador and proved a 
  diplomatic "Pioneer." Matt, being considerably taller than his peers, 
  sprang to basketball stardom. Matt returned to American knowing first hand
  what life in Central America must endure. He mastered the Spanish language,
  adjusted to the rigors of Central American life, developed a greater
  tolerance and empathy, and deepened his love for America.
     The 1976 school year for Lettitia Johnson, daugher of John and Laura
  Johnson, was enjoyed in Sweden, where Tish became a true Swede. She learned
  to accept and live the Swedish way, adjusted to and valued the solitude
  of rural life, and grew close to her host famly, the Jan and Elizabeth
  Malstroms, and their children. Both her AFS brothers, Peter and Thomas,
  visited Medicine Lodge while Tish was in Sweden. Since her return, her 
  Swedish mother and father have visited the Johnsons. Tish's AFS experience
  has benefited her entire family and many residents in Medicine Lodge. In
  1979 Tish's sister, LeAnn, is enjoying spending the school year in Italy.
     Solveig Brant, daughter of Jim and Doris Brant, traveled to Norway to 
  live with the Nils family in 1978. Solveig faced many hurdles; the language,
  customs, and habits of another country. She discovered she could adjust
  and grow in understanding of herself and others. Solveig shared Medicine
  Lodge and Kansas with another part of the world and proved herself to be
  a worthy ambassador for her country.
                  
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 19