Rotary club sponsors Bosnian exchange student

By AMY L. ZITKA, Middletown Press Staff

October 07, 2002

MIDDLETOWN -- For a teenager she has seen a lot, including years of war in her native country.

Being from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Amina Omicevic has lived through war-time aggression that tore her country apart. The 17-year-old decided it was time for a change and became an exchange student through the Rotary Club International program.

"It was a challenge. I wanted to experience culture," Omicevic said. Travel is a passion of hers. She has been to Italy twice, Germany twice and once each to Austria and Croatia.

Her trip was sponsored by the Middletown Rotary Club. During her one-year stay, Omicevic will stay with three host families.

The teen flew into the United States in August. A week later, she started school as a junior in Middletown High School.

Being in the country for a little more than a month, she has already noticed some differences.

"People are a bit different here than in Europe," she said. Families are more close-knit in her country. "In Bosnia-Herzegovina, we care more about tradition. Families are still an important part of our lives."

After finishing her last years of high school, she will attend the university in Sarajevo and study economics. Rather than in the United States where students go off to college, she will remain close to home.

"School is pretty different," she said. The teen enjoys her own school, but she also enjoys Middletown High. "I'd like American children to know how (good) their education system is."

In Sarajevo, the teen is required to study 13 subjects, while at MHS she has a choice of seven subjects.

"The greatest thing I like here is practicals," Omicevic said. "There are labs in every subject. You can apply knowledge with practical work."

Her favorite place in the city is the Russell Library.

"Studying is a good experience," the teen said. "It's good here. You can choose six or seven subjects and just enjoy them."

Education and knowledge are important to Omicevic.

"We know education will make a better future for us," she said of Bosnians. "We really care about tradition, but we are going forward."

Knowing she will be away from home for a year, there are certain things she misses about her country.

"I miss my family and my friends," Omicevic said, however she stays in touch with them by e-mail. "I find out everything that's happened -- like soccer games."

Another thing Omicevic misses is strong coffee, similar to Italian espresso.

The teen has tried coffees from shops, but "it's not as good as my mother's."

There are memories she will cherish from her time in the states.

"I saw the ocean. It was a great experience," she said. "It was a nice day so I could swim."

The water temperature was not much different from the waters of the Adriatic Sea, the teen said.

"I find Connecticut nature a beautiful countryside," she said. Being a hiking enthusiast, Omicevic said she was glad there were areas for walking and trekking.

There were also a few culinary delights.

With her mother's and grandmother's cooking, Omicevic is used to traditional meals. "Almost everything is organic in Bosnia," she said, comparing it to the many fried foods in this country.

"I ate Thai," the teen said, adding "I love traditional meals." She has also tried the vegetarian restaurant, It's Only Natural.

The Rotary Club is also keeping the teen busy with weekend trips.

"They want to make me real comfortable," she said of the Rotary Club members. "They're pretty successful in that." Omicevic will soon be visiting Philadelphia and New York City through Rotary Club field trips.

Last week Omicevic attended the Durham Fair.

"There was a lot of food," she said. The teen tried the candied apples and liked them with coconut.

There are serious problems affecting the war-ravaged country, with half of the nation being homeless, the teen said. "Some have escaped," she added. "Some are abroad and do not want to come back."

"I hope my generation will make a difference," said Omicevic, who is in a global youth parliament group. The international organization considers urban questions and works to try to do something to improve society. "There are some young people who want to leave. A lot want to rebuild the country. We have the intellect to do that."

To contact Amy L. Zitka, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 211 or e-mail azitka@middletownpress.com.

©The Middletown Press 2002