By PAUL HATCH
paul@du2.byu.edu
Twenty-five high school students from the former Soviet states and Russia will be visiting Provo for four weeks beginning July 10.
Kim Coon, the program coordinator, said the visit is part of a year-long Future Leader Exchange Program to help the students improve their English and learn about the history, government and culture of the United States.
Coon said the students received scholarships allowing them to come to the United States. She said the program is funded through the Freedom Support Act, which provides government grants for the students.
'It helps build good relations through education,' she said.
Coon said the students received scholarships based on academic achievement and come from cities of all sizes. She also said this is the first time students have come to Provo through the program.
Coon said the students will participate in recreation activities, such as river rafting and digging for fossils, as part of the program.
INTRAX, a company based in San Francisco, directs the hosting and activities for the students, Coon said.
Laura Schroeder, a regional coordinator for INTRAX, said the program can break down cultural barriers and misunderstandings.
'We hope that we can overcome a lot of the bitter feelings that have been built up over the years,' she said.
Schroeder said this year's program is unique because seven of the 25 students are physically disabled. She said in many cultures outside of the United States, people with handicaps are kept separate from the rest of society.
'They'll have the knowledge of how handicaps are treated in the U.S.,' Schroeder said.
She said she felt the students are extremely courageous for coming on the trip, especially those with physical handicaps.
'They must be exceptional, exceptional people,' she said.
Schroeder said INTRAX chose Provo for the program partly because people in Utah seem to be more receptive to unique programs like this one.
'There seems to be a real open-mindedness about culture and people in Provo,' she said.
The director of operations for INTRAX, Sandy Swiderski, said the positive support for disabilities in the United States will be an important part of the students experience. She said part of the students' studies will focus on the American Disability Act.
Swiderski said the first month in Provo will provide an introduction to the United States for the students. She said they will be paired up with local teenagers to help learn the culture.
Swiderski said after they leave Provo, the students will be dispersed to different cities throughout the United States for the rest of their stay.
Individuals interested in hosting the students may contact Kim Coon at 343-3850.