Orientation program benefits international families Published July 17, 2009 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- This year's International Family Orientation Program was held June 22 through July 1 with 61 International Officer spouses and 120 international children from 42 countries attending the classes, events and graduation ceremony. For more than 25 years the International Officer School has hosted the event that helps IO families become acquainted with the American way of life, and this year 51 volunteers gave their time for IFOP. Peggy Funk, the IFOP wives coordinator, said she has been involved in the program for the last 24 years and each year, while personalities differ, the program remains basically the same. "This [IFOP] is about making friends, and often the friendships spouses make here last a lifetime," she said. "The program is totally volunteers, and we have wonderful volunteers that are very dedicated to doing IFOP right." Ms. Funk said the program went "very well" this year because they had a "really great group of international spouses." She said language difficulties were handled by IFOP interpreters who spoke Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Spanish and French. "I love doing this program because it brings me in contact with international officers and their families," she said. "This year we have a man in the group, which is very unusual. He and his wife are both members of the Norwegian military, and because she has been sent here for school, he came along to help take care of the children." Claudia Chirita, wife of Rumanian air force Cmdr. Laurentiu Chirita who is attending Air War College, said this was her second visit to Maxwell, as her husband had attended Air Command and Staff College in 2005. She said she and her family are enjoying being back and are looking forward to the coming year. "The people of Alabama are lovely and open and very kind with us," Ms. Chirita said. "The American people are helping us along, and this is a great opportunity to go out and see Alabama. I'm also looking forward to trips planned to Washington, D.C. and New York." She said her 6 1/2-year-old son is glad to be in the country and will attend first grade at the Maxwell Elementary School. "He is so looking forward to school, and it is also a great opportunity for him to learn English," Ms. Chirita said. She said the IFOP volunteers are "very helpful," and even though this is her second visit to the state, she is learning new things about Alabama all the time. "I don't have the words for how well the volunteers are treating and helping us. They are great ladies," Ms. Chirita said. Smita Dhaekae, wife of Group Capt. S.P. Dhaekae of the Indian air force who is also attending AWC, said this is her first trip to Maxwell, and she feels IFOP is, "a very good idea," because she is getting to meet so many people. "Alabama is very nice, the sun is very hot, but it is nice, and we are enjoying it," she said. "I want to do some sightseeing and get to know more people while I'm here." Ms. Dhaekae said in addition to seeing the state of Alabama, she really wants to see Disney World, Niagara Falls and New York City during her visit to the United States. "These are places we have only heard and read about," she said. "So, we want to see them for ourselves." Ms. Dhaekae said IFOP has "helped her family very much" and has also provided an opportunity for her to meet other international spouses. She said the IFOP volunteers are always ready and willing to answer any questions the spouses have. Each year, IOS brings military officers from about 67 countries to study at Air University. The students participate in programs at AWC, ACSC and Squadron Officer School. IOS also provides free IFOP classes designed to familiarize spouses, children and other family members of IOs with the customs and culture of the local area and the United States, and gives them a chance to meet and socialize with each other.