The High Plains Museum and the Goodland AFS Chapter have put together an exhibit on 100 years of AFS and how this organization has connected lives and shared cultures.

Connecting Lives, Sharing Culture: 100 Years of AFS tells the story of the AFS organization and how it has changed people’s lives all over the world.  AFS is an organization that sends and receives foreign exchange students to more than fifty countries including the United States.

One such individual who traveled to Germany found out first-hand how AFS changed his life.  Paul Maricle was a student at Goodland High School during the 1970’s who was a very active student at GHS including being an active member of the Language Club.  He filled out an application for the Americans Abroad Program for the 1971-1972 year during his senior year of High School in the fall of 1970.  Maricle was accepted and placed in Krefeld Germany with the Lange family.  He stayed a year in Germany where he went to school and made lasting connections.

Upon his arrival back to the States in 1972, Maricle decided his interests lie in law and applied and received a Rotary International Scholarship which allowed him to study for a year in Bonn Germany at the Friedrich-Wilhelm University.  Once he completed law school he won a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service so he could study the legal system of Germany for a year in Tübingen and Düsseldorf.  He used his schooling in Germany to build his law practice where today he represents German companies doing business in the United States and United States companies doing business in Europe.

His time as an AFS exchange student in Germany played a huge role in his life.  Maricle said “I think it is easy to see that the year I spent abroad as an AFSer was a key year in my overall professional and personal development.”  AFS not only connected Maricle’s life with that of his host family and friends in Germany but continued to connect lives well after his time as an AFS exchange student.  Today, thanks in part to AFS, he is connecting lives and sharing cultures.

Explore the history of Goodland’s AFS experience through the stories and objects collected by AFS Host Families and Exchange Students. Attend one of the Museum/AFS clubs many activities planned during the exhibition’s run to gain new insight into the world beyond:

August 12 Opening Reception | 7-9pm | HPM
Join us as we unveil the AFS exhibit. AFS Host families are bringing their family objects for a Show-And-Tell. See the world connections through their mementos!

August 26 International Night | 5pm | Goodland Soup BoL
Join us at the United Methodist Church’s Soup BoL for an international meal served by the Goodland AFS Club. Meal is served at 5:00 pm.

September 7 Passport Program | 1-5 PM | HPM
Join us for a family friendly adventure across the globe to discover new cultures. This come-and-go activity day is focused on expanding your knowledge of the world. Come join us in the fun! Activities vary at each Passport Program day.

September 17 U.S. Constitution Day 7-9 PM | HPM
Join us and local Constitutional Historian Michele Gerber delve into the history of our constitution and what makes us so different from other nations.

October 1 International Music Day | 7-9 PM | HPM
Dance it up at International Music Day at the HPM. Join us in celebrating an entirely lively form of world communication: dance.

October 5 Passport Program | 1-5 PM | HPM
Join us for a family friendly adventure across the globe to discover new cultures. This come-and-go activity day is focused on expanding your knowledge of the world. Come join us in the fun! Activities vary at each Passport Program day.

November 2 Passport Program | 1-5 PM | HPM
Join us for a family friendly adventure across the globe to discover new cultures. This come-and-go activity day is focused on expanding your knowledge of the world. Come join us in the fun! Activities vary at each Passport Program day.

November 16 AFS Student Presentations | 10 AM | HPM
Hear the stories of new AFS exchange students and what their experience has been like here in Goodland compared to their home countries.

December 7 Passport Program | 1-5 PM | HPM
Join us for a family friendly adventure across the globe to discover new cultures. This come-and-go activity day is focused on expanding your knowledge of the world. Come join us in the fun! Activities vary at each Passport Program day.

January 11 Closing Reception | 1-5 PM | HPM
Help us say Bon Voyage to the exhibit and kick off the year with new cultural understanding! See you at the HPM for a closing reception bash!

To find out more about this exhibit or one of our upcoming events, contact the HPM! 785-890-4595 or museum-at-cityofgoodland.org.