Have you or your child ever been an exchange student? Maybe your family has hosted a visitor from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia or another foreign land. It’s quite rewarding and usually a treat for all involved in the cultural exchange. Well, opportunity is knocking right now.
In 2014, the LAFD hosted ten young students from Berlin, Germany. They all came as an organized group and were all Berlin Fire Cadets. Today some of those cadets are now bonified fire personnel with The Berliner Fire Department. The experience that they received here was very valuable in their efforts to gain employment there.
The LAFD families that hosted the visitors all had kids about the same age as the Germans. At the end of their stay, these students had acquired new friends, tons of fun and a renewed respect for the LAFD and American lifestyle. Needless to say, there were some tears as they prepared to go back home, and today many of them remain in contact with their new American friends. Prior to leaving Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Germany to Los Angeles, gave the host families a huge fete, and thanked everyone involved in this exchange. There were local dignitaries, politicians and even Chief Terrazas was present, to salute the families with thank you’s and certificates for all.
Today, I am in search of one interested family or active firefighter to open their home to one male teenage Berlin Fire Cadet in October 2019, for a short two-week period. The selected family or fire department person will have the freedom to organize any and all activities with the visitor. If you want to be compensated for the visit, that can be arranged. Please contact me soon if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Isaac Burks, Community Affairs Liaison
(213) 210-6730
(323) 259-5298
iburks@att.net