We Have Too Many!!

My name is Ahmad and I work in cultural exchange.

The main reason I wanted to work in cultural exchange is because once upon a time in a galaxy far far away when I was a stray little pup I came to the US as an exchange student. I am sucker for using my personal experience to help others who are going through the same or similar thing--otherwise, what's the point? Right? Why did I go through all these ups and downs in my life? It has to be for something...I don't have kids and don't want kids...never will!! So I might as well use myself as an example to others.

Anyway, so I work in cultural exchange. It sounds very noble, doesn't it? "Cultural Exchange" sounds like bringing the world together, helping people understand one another beyond borders, oceans, religion, politics, or what have you. Sounds pretty idealistic too. Now, mind you, there are very non-idealistic things associated with this very idealistic career. There is: making a placement--basically like closing a sale; you present a student to a family, they life student, present student to school, they like student, complete paperwork, student comes, the world is a better place.

Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy! You have to advertise program...fliers, ads, brochures, cold calls, telemarketing, door to door, lawn signs, buttons, PSAs, classified ads...yadda yadda yadda. Then after fielding calls and saying no for the umpteenth time about host families NOT being paid, you end up with a handful of people that are as idealistic as you are and want to host for the cultural exchange part of it--not for renting out a room or supplementing their income.

Still, all this doesn't sound too bad when you write it all down. It all sounds pretty normal actually. Every job has it's annoying sides. This one is no different than any other. Except...except when you encounter people who are supposed to be your allies...on your side...your brethren...who have become so jaded that it makes you wonder what the hell happened?

I have a family who is so genuine about wanting to host as student it is refreshing talking to them. Their sixth grader was so excited about having a sister from another country she could barely sleep at night from excitement. They settled on a student who is so cute, and so studious, and so bright and cheerful that she could brighten up any room. As usual, I presented her application to the school for review. Now, presenting a student to a school is usually the nerve wracking side of my job. A school can reject a student if they don't think their English is good enough, or if they have too many "C"s or maybe a "D" here and there. The student might seem too introverted, or interested in sports or activities not available at the school. Or they might deny a student because they feel the school might be too difficult for that student to succeed.

All these reasons are fair I think. BUT, that is not why this particular school turned my student down. They turned her down because they have too many South Koreans. They said "we will decline this request. Our effort to secure foreign exchange students includes adding to the richness of cultures represented here... We have a very large Korean presence already..."

So, screw the student's own merits!! She might be bright, she might be studious, she might be the Queen of Sheba for all they care...doesn't matter, they have too many of them Koreans there we can't possibly look past this student's country of origin and consider her actual characteristics as a student...BECAUSE WE'RE A SCHOOL AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO F'IN DO!!!!!!

I see no difference in saying that than saying sorry we're not letting you on a plane because you're name is Ahmad and one of the terrorists during 9/11 was named Ahmed and he was from Egypt. Or saying, sorry, you're black, and we have way too many black people at that school so we can't possibly look past your skin color and actually evaluate your application based on your accomplishments. Or, we have to put all these Japanese Americans in jail because the people that bombed Pearl Harbor were Japanese.

I'm angry...Angry and frustrated actually. I have a really bad taste in my mouth from the whole thing. Is this the end of my idealism? Probably. But you know what frustrates me more? It is that I have to let it go and move on. She that family another student...never mind that their little girl stayed up all night painting banners and pictures for that specific student. I have to shrug it off as "school discretion" and move on to the next student. I have to just shrug my shoulders and send that family an Italian, German, or Czech student to consider. Because I am willing to bet anything that that school doesn't have enough of those students.

My name is Ahmad and I am a recovering idealist...