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Bonding Over Basketball

WASHINGTON, DC (September 28, 2007) -- In the heat of August, six boys and six girls arrive at Las Vegas airport after a long flight from Lebanon.  Despite their tired eyes, the excitement and energy level in the group is high. The teenagers are about to embark on a two-week basketball program sponsored by the State Department's Office of Citizen Exchanges.Coach Joe and Coach Rania, the two adults that accompany the group, lead the teenagers to Cari Hlousek, Program Officer at World Learning, who smiles and waves a colorful sign: "Welcome Lebanese Basketball Delegation." The participants are relieved because they have somebody that they can rely on, and who will help them find their way in this new country. Now their week of program activities in Las Vegas can begin.

Multi-cultural learning, team building and leadership skills are key components that the group is eager to acquire. All of the participants play basketball after school in Lebanon, but have never played as a team before because they come from different parts of their small Middle Eastern country. They have different religious backgrounds and some speak Armenian while others communicate in Arabic. Now they are about to become a team - both on and off the basketball court. Finding a common ground and transcending language and cultural barriers through sports is the goal of the project.

The first test for group work and the endurance of the individuals is a basketball clinic at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy. The group meets with American high schoolers for sports activities and learns about sports games in American high schools. "I was really surprised how schools encourage their students to do sports and that they sponsor them a lot," acknowledged Jonathan. "They have a lot more after-school activities than we do," Elie agrees. Later, the twelve participants exchange their student roles for a teacher's perspective when they teach small children how to play basketball at the Boys and Girls Club. "They are so cute," raves 15-year old Katrine. "Our culture is very child-friendly and everyone adores small kids."The highlight of the week is not the Grand Canyon tour but the International Basketball Federation Qualifier Game. "It was a dream to watch these legends play," recalls Nada. The group's stay in Las Vegas ends with a loud finale at music show Stomp Out Loud.

For the second week of the program the group boards a plane again and travels to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.After sightseeing and museum visits, the students escape the city crowds for a ropes course in Maryland's countryside.The teamwork, trust and leadership skills that they have gained in Las Vegas are tested and refined. "It gave me courage," states Elie after climbing a tree and balancing on an iron rope while being secured by belay. The students demonstrate their new skills afterwards in the basketball clinic provided by George Washington University (GWU). GWU's Assistant Coach Roland Houston emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork beyond the basketball court in his prep-talk.

Bestowed with more understanding of the game, the Lebanese group heads towards their most anticipated visits at Douglas High School and Fairmont High School. These visits are eye-opening for the Lebanese students. "I was surprised by the American high schools because before I came on this trip I thought American students weren't very friendly. I was proven wrong," said Tara. The school visit at Fairmont High School finishes with a game against the school's girls and boys teams and the students experience how it is to play in a packed sports arena. Program Officer Cari Hlousek remarks, after watching the groups for two weeks, "I am impressed with how much they have grown, individually and as a team." While the Lebanese boys' team loses by a narrow margin to the Fairmont team, one of the best in the county, the Lebanese girls' team beats the Fairmont team. A female participant states proudly, "Being part of the program taught me not to give up easily and to fight for the things I want."

Read more in Maryland Gazette.net online paper

Teens bond over love of basketball

The first test for group work and the endurance of the individuals is a basketball clinic at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy. The group meets with American high schoolers for sports activities and learns about sports games in American high schools. "I was really surprised how schools encourage their students to do sports and that they sponsor them a lot," acknowledged Jonathan. "They have a lot more after-school activities than we do," Elie agrees. Later, the twelve participants exchange their student roles for a teacher's perspective when they teach small children how to play basketball at the Boys and Girls Club. "They are so cute," raves 15-year old Katrine. "Our culture is very child-friendly and everyone adores small kids."The highlight of the week is not the Grand Canyon tour but the International Basketball Federation Qualifier Game. "It was a dream to watch these legends play," recalls Nada. The group's stay in Las Vegas ends with a loud finale at music show Stomp Out Loud.

For the second week of the program the group boards a plane again and travels to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C.After sightseeing and museum visits, the students escape the city crowds for a ropes course in Maryland's countryside.The teamwork, trust and leadership skills that they have gained in Las Vegas are tested and refined. "It gave me courage," states Elie after climbing a tree and balancing on an iron rope while being secured by belay. The students demonstrate their new skills afterwards in the basketball clinic provided by George Washington University (GWU). GWU's Assistant Coach Roland Houston emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork beyond the basketball court in his prep-talk.

Bestowed with more understanding of the game, the Lebanese group heads towards their most anticipated visits at Douglas High School and Fairmont High School. These visits are eye-opening for the Lebanese students. "I was surprised by the American high schools because before I came on this trip I thought American students weren't very friendly. I was proven wrong," said Tara. The school visit at Fairmont High School finishes with a game against the school's girls and boys teams and the students experience how it is to play in a packed sports arena. Program Officer Cari Hlousek remarks, after watching the groups for two weeks, "I am impressed with how much they have grown, individually and as a team." While the Lebanese boys' team loses by a narrow margin to the Fairmont team, one of the best in the county, the Lebanese girls' team beats the Fairmont team. A female participant states proudly, "Being part of the program taught me not to give up easily and to fight for the things I want."

Read more in Maryland Gazette.net online paper

Teens bond over love of basketball