The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Exchange student skating through school
By Sandi Kasha, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 25, 2007
The following is part of a continuing series introducing the community to some of the foreign exchange students attending Dexter schools this year.
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Joan and Arwyn Carr have a diverse family.
The Webster Township couple have always opened their door for foreign exchange students and made them feel right at home.
Arwyn Carr said that from 1976 to 1989 he and Joan have been host parent to eight students, who they still keep in touch with.
"We've had a number of reunions where we've gotten together here or in Europe," Arwyn Carr said. "It's like we've become a family."
It's been a while since the couple has taken the role of host parents, but that recently changed.
When Finland's Saana Pihlasviita, 16, needed a host family, the Carr's welcomed her with open arms.
And it was a perfect match.
"She loves figure skating and I manage the Dexter Unified School Skating team," Joan Carr said. "So it was an effortless transition on her part."
Saana also bonded with the Carr's granddaughter Alexandria, 14, who also skates.
"It's like Alex got a sister," Arwyn Carr said. "They go to school together, they skate together and they really get along."
Saana, who is sponsored by Youth for Understanding, said she is enjoying her time in Dexter and feels right at home.
She said in Finland she lives at home with her parents and sister and her free time consists of skating and traveling for competitions and shows.
But skating for 13 years is beyond a hobby, Saana has made it into a career.
"She is currently a synchronized skater with the Ann Arbor Hockettes," Joan Carr said.
Saana said that since her arrival in Dexter in August, she has traveled with the Hockettes to Boston, Chicago and is set to go to Milan, Italy next month.
"She's a very good student, very mature and is well-rounded," Arwyn Carr said. "She's a talented girl."
Saana's talents extend beyond an exceptional academic record and professional skating, she speaks six languages fluently.
"I speak Finnish, Swedish, French, Spanish, Russian and English," she said. "I pick up languages easily."
She takes six classes at Dexter High School and said that her favorite class is jewelry design.
But school activities such as homecoming and prom don't surprise her.
"We have similar functions at Finnish schools," she said.
When asked about the difference between American and Finnish schools, Saana said that Finnish schools are much more difficult.
"Here you have homework and extra credit work to raise your grade if you did poorly on an exam," she said. "Finnish students are graded by exams and we don't get any homework."
Asked if she's homesick, Saana said that she's used to traveling because of her figure skating and that Michigan weather resembles Finnish weather.
"I keep in touch with friends and family through e-mail," she said. "My mother will visit me when I go to Milan."
She's adjusted to the climate, the Carr household and school schedule just fine, said Arwyn Carr.
And she has developed quite a sweet tooth.
Saana said she loves ice cream and cheesecake, but mainly eats healthy foods because of her skating.
For now Saana said that she's making the most of her time in Dexter and said that she would participate in the foreign exchange student program again.
She added that the Carrs' kindness has been a catalyst in her decision to want to partake in the program.
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