Russians Kids Forge Family Ties With Hosts

The first day 12-year-old Ivan Kouznetsov spent in Simi Valley on a visit from his native Russia, he said to his host family, “I no want to go home.”

A few days later, Jacquie Richardson, the mother in his host family, dropped Ivan and her son, Jay, at a Target store to buy a battery for Ivan’s camera.

When she caught up with the boys a few minutes later, Ivan had a basket loaded with a $54 baseball glove, a new bat, a tennis racket and balls, in-line skates and a piece of luggage. He was on his way to find golf clubs and balls.

“There are more things you want to buy in this country than in my country,” Ivan explained.

Richardson helped him pare down his purchases to what he could afford--the needed new luggage--and took him to the swap meet for some used skates the next day. But she was amazed at the child’s enthusiasm.

“He was like a kid in a candy store,” Richardson said.

Ivan is one of nine students, ages 12 to 16, and three adult escorts who are staying with Simi Valley families for two weeks through the International Homestays program, which matches visitors with host families.

Their itinerary for the stay that began Jan. 3 includes nearly five days at one of three Simi Valley schools, trips to Disneyland, Universal Studios and Los Angeles, a tour of a local McDonald’s restaurant with free burgers and fries for all, and other events.

The students’ eligibility for the trip was determined primarily by whether they could afford it, said advisor Valentina Butyaeva, an English teacher in Russia.

The students, who all come from the city of Nizhneukamsk in central Russia, blended into the crowd, indistinguishable from their American counterparts except by their speech.

On Monday, Ivan showed his classmates a game he played in his seventh-grade class. The game was similar to Scrabble, beginning with one word on a grid and adding other letters to make new words.

“They’re really delightful,” said teacher Jeanne Davis, of Ivan and Marat Ghalikhanov, another Russian student visiting her class. “They fit right in. They are all very accepting of each other.”

The American students took every opportunity to ask the two boys about their lives.

“It’s interesting to see the different things they learn,” said Daniel Fredrickson, 12, referring to Ivan’s studies in calculus and physics.

Maxim Kolosova, 16, was among the students gathered Monday after school at Harley’s Simi Valley Bowl. He wore a button-down shirt, well-worn jeans and tennis shoes. Although he said students in Russia wear uniform suits and dresses to school, his leisure clothes are like any American kid’s.

“The world is very little,” he said, making the gesture of a small sphere with his hands.

Maxim said he adores his host family. He took the arm of his host family mother and declared: “This is my mom.”

“He says he’s my fourth son,” confirmed Rita Geersen.

And Maxim, who has sisters and cousins but no brothers at home, put his arm through that of his host sibling, 16-year-old Daniel Geersen. “It’s fun having a little brother,” Maxim said, looking up at Daniel, who stands a head taller.