Rebecca Bargo, mother of Rochelle Bargo (USA200-2007)
My daughter, Rochelle Bargo, is the first Leighton HK - AFS Scholar in YP2006 - 2007. After her Grade 12 studies in USA as an AFS exchange student, she pursued her studies in University of Oregon (UO), USA, to take up Bachelor's Degree of Journalism, majors in Electronic Media and Magazines. She's a full time scholar of UO from freshman up to present and is going to graduate this coming June 2011.
She obtained different recognitions from the University and became a representative for Journalism students to attend the conference among different 
schools in New York and in Boston, U.S.A. I hope her accomplishments will motivate future AFS students. Indeed, my family and I are thankful for the opportunity that has been given to my daughter, Rochelle that lead her to succeed her dream of becoming a future Journalist.
An Experience for the Families - A Story of the The Pun Family
Four years ago when Amy, the youngest daughter of the Pun family, decided to go on exchange to Switzerland, Mr & Mrs Pun had in mind a picture of how their daughter would become in a few years’ time. Never had it occurred to them that a whole new friendship is awaiting them on the other side of the world.
Amy’s host parents, Ueli and Christine,were lawyers, but their hectic work schedule did not undermine their commitment to serve the community, just as their age had nothing to do with their energetic lifestyle. Amy was overwhelmed by their big-heartedness, and was equally amazed by the way the family interacted. “Power to the people” Ueliwould exclaim when describing his parenting philosophy. Ueli and Christine believed that mutual respect is vital in a family, and to live this value, they encouraged all family members to share and discuss, and to participate in decision-making. Whenever disputes occurred, parents would not have the final say. Amy became accustomed to this style. She returned to Hong Kong with a baggage full of liberal ideas.
Meanwhile Mr and Mrs Pun, waiting anxiously at the airport for their girl, were unsuspicious. They were after all, by Hong Kong standard, relatively westernized. So they hugged their girl, and brought her home. Weeks went by, and the changes in the family surfaced. Amy started requesting discussion; she expressed her views in family matters, on world affairs. And Mr and Mrs Pun noticed that something in their girl had changed, for good. They found new interest and new sense of curiosity in her that was unnoticed before, and they became curious about what this Swiss family did to their daughter.
Then one day, they received an email from Ueli. They were planning to visit Hong Kong! Finally the four fathers-and-mothers met in person for the first time. They travelled around Hong Kong. For the first time Mr and Mrs Pun saw for themselves the same cultural differences Amy had lived. They still recalled how every breakfast turned into long discussion on basically everything, and how they had to cut out unnecessary itineraries to accommodate the pace of their Swiss guests. But Mr and Mrs Pun were grateful. They started to enjoy life in slow motion. They realized, for the first time, how traditionally Chinese they were as parents. They were accustomed to holding on, and not letting go. But Ueli and Christine showed them how they could let go yet achieve more. Amy had learnt to respect Ueli and Christine, as well as Mr and Mrs Pun, as parents. Now it is the parents’ turn to learn to let go.
Remark: The four parents have travelled twice together in China in 2009 and 2010. They have arranged their fourth reunion in2011. This time they will celebrate the two fathers’ birthdays in Switzerland! This feels more and more like a Parents’ Exchange now.
