Here and back again

After spending several weeks learning the lay of Rib Mountain, five young travelers have officially left U.S. soil and returned home.

The visitors were here through a Lions Club program designed to give young people the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the world by experiencing other cultures.

Unlike most foreign exchange programs, this program has nothing to do with school or work and everything to do with cultural exchange. Participants visit a new country, share their cultural traditions — such as food and hobbies — and attend a summer camp. And that’s just a few of the items on their itineraries.

Self-professed “boy mom” Sheryl Babl, five-year chairperson of the district’s Lions International Youth Exchange program, hosted five young men this year.

It’s an annual tradition. She and her husband are “empty-nesters” and like having a full house, she said. Besides, having hosted 18 boys over the years to date, Babl has found that hosting more than one youth at a time is easier.

“They keep each other company,” she said.

Indeed, despite coming from five separate countries — Hungary, China, Belgium, Brazil and Turkey — the group at Babl’s house could have been mistaken for brothers.

Babl said it had only taken a day or so for the boys to come out of their shells with each other. Before she knew it, it was like they’d known each other their whole lives.

Highlights across the board for the boys included a trip to Noah’s Ark and a stay at Camp Vista in La Crosse, but more than that, they treasured the bonds they’d made with each other and with their host family. They plan to stay in touch with each other long after returning home over social media.

As for what about Central Wisconsin gave the visitors the most culture shock? The lack of public transport and sidewalks in rural areas, the reliance on cars and the size of American infrastructure like parking lots and stores.

These factors, on top of the United States’ higher minimum drinking age and lower driving age, are pretty universal with all of the youth who stay with her, Babl said.

“We regularly hear from most of them,” Babl said over email. “They send us updates regarding their schooling, family trips, holidays, etc.”

Host families do not need to belong to a Lions Club, and Babl said that she and her husband received some support from the local Lions Club and the district to offset costs for hosting.

”For those who have ever been interested in hosting, but a semester or a school year is too long of a commitment, this is a great way to get a taste of it,” said Babl.

In the next few months, Babl’s district will decide how many youth to accept applications from worldwide — 25–30, if the last few years are anything to go by.

Starting in January or February, host families can review the applications and host family letters to find youth that will be a good match for their household.

For Wisconsin youth who want to travel abroad, meanwhile, Babl said that later this fall or early winter are the time to apply, as some camps fill up very quickly. Youth do not need to be a part of a Lions Club, nor do they need to speak the language of the country they visit.

In addition, Wisconsin youth over the age of 18 can apply to volunteer as counselors at Camp Vista, where they’ll spend time with young adults from around the world

For more information on the Lions International Youth Exchange, visit https://wisconsinlionsyouthexchange.org or reach out to Sheryl Babl at 715-581-3082. The Rib Mountain Lions Club also welcomes new members; they can be found on Facebook, or Rib Mountain Lions Club President Randy Thurs can be reached by phone at 715-571-9768.