Exchange student plans event to share her culture

(Above) Mera Jweihan is a foreign exchange student form Jordan attending school at Clear Lake High School.  She invites the public to a Sunday brunch to learn more about her culture.  Proceeds will benefit the Northern Lights Homeless Shelter in North Iowa. - Reporter photo by Marianne Gasaway.

by Marianne Gasaway

Mera Jweihan came to experience America.  Sunday, she wants to return the favor.

Jweihan, a foreign exchange student from Jordan, invites the public to a brunch featuring breakfast dishes from her county.  Proceeds from the event will be presented to the Northern Lights Homeless Shelter in Mason City.

World Link, the private, non-profit exchange program which placed Mera in North Iowa, distinguishes itself with its focus on development of the next generation through cultivating leadership skills, appreciation for diversity and service to their community through the exchange program.  It’s mission is “Exchange with a Purpose.”

“I am hoping to educate people about my culture.  There will be food, Jordanian art, music and posters with information about Jordan,” Mera explained.  

Guests will enjoy Manakish, which Mera describes as a traditional bread with herbs; Galayet Bandora, sau-

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teed tomatoes stewed with garlic and onion and cooked with minced meat or with eggs; and Faet Fool, a bean-based  salad.  There will also be American options such as french toast and hot dogs. Juice and coffee will be available. Mera will be preparing the food with her host mom, Dr. Janice Krisch, as well as  three other exchange students in the area.  

Mera said she is the first in her family to travel to the United States and is embracing the experience.  She is enrolled as a junior at Clear Lake High School.

“I come from a family who loves art and education.  My mother is half Syrian and has always encouraged learning about other countries,” said Mera.  “I watched so many movies and television shows and the United States looked so interesting to me.  I also believe my experiences here will give me more opportunities in the future.”

Since arriving in Clear Lake in August, Mera said the experience is living up to her expectations, even if they aren’t exactly what she was seeing on the TV screen.

“I love how cool the people are here in Iowa,” she said. “I would very much enjoy coming back to Iowa to earn my Master’s Degree.  I visited the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and it was very interesting.  The educational system is different here and I think it’s important for me to try new things while I am here away from my family.”

The idea to direct funds raised at her brunch to the homeless came naturally to Mera.  As a resident of Jordan’s capital, Amman, a city of 4.2 million people, she said she sees homeless people and those struggling to survive.

“Jordan is a small country and I live in the center of a busy city.  It is very different from here,” she said.  “I grew up seeing refugees from Syria, Palestine and Lebanon who are without a place to stay.  I feel connected to people who are unfortunate in their life.” In fact, Mera and her host sister from another country have already done fundraising for a homeless shelter in Des Moines known as Reggie’s Place.  

“I hope people will attend Sunday and maybe learn a little bit about Jordan,” added Mera.  It’s a way I can give back to this community and hopefully share my culture.”

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