Through their membership in the Ridgemont FFA Chapter in Ohio, exchange students Youssef Belhaj (left) and Eldar Musayev (right) wore the FFA jacket for the first time and received custom signs. Photo courtesy of Eldar Musayev.
In 1978, Curtis Stutzman, a former Iowa FFA state president and Mid-Prairie FFA Alumnus, traveled internationally to the British Isles and Europe for the first time — a trip he says dramatically changed the course of his life.
Stutzman’s passion for immersive experiences grew from there. In addition to hosting exchange students himself, Stutzman worked with international programs and helped the National FFA Foundation facilitate trips for members to visit places like Russia, Ukraine and Moldova for almost 10 years.
In 2002, he and his wife, Lana, founded World Link, Inc., a nonprofit international exchange scholarship program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this program places students in communities throughout the country. Participants are also required to join a leadership organization, and many decide to become FFA members.
“These [exchange students] are embraced by the chapters they join,” Curtis Stutzman says. “Many of our program’s alumni do big things, both in FFA and when they return to their home countries.”
Found Family in FFA
This was the case for 2023-24 World Link, Inc. participants and Ohio FFA members Youssef Belhaj and Eldar Musayev, who joined the Ridgemont FFA Chapter, and Alise Zhuk, who joined the Elgin FFA Chapter. Despite not knowing what to expect at first, all three developed close-knit friendships with members of their chapters.
“Wearing my jacket made me feel like I was part of a big family that pushed me to become a better person,” says Belhaj, who learned about FFA from an influencer in his home country of Morocco.
This strong sense of community pushed Belhaj, Musayev and Zhuk to make the most of their time in FFA. During their exchange year, Belhaj and Musayev completed agriscience fair projects, and all three competed in Career and Leadership Development Events and attended the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo.
“FFA gave me a lot of courage,” says Zhuk, who grew up in Ukraine. “Everyone in my chapter knew each other really well, which pushed me to participate in everything I could.”
Above all, these three agree that the key to having a successful exchange year is keeping an open mind and being willing to try new things.
“I became a better listener and learned not to compare my experiences to others,’” says Musayev, who’s originally from Lithuania in northeastern Europe. “Nothing is better or worse than something else — it’s just different.”
Get Plugged In
More than 30,000 international students come to U.S. high schools each year through exchange programs. Reach out to these students when they arrive and invite them to an FFA event or activity. Learn more about this program by visiting World Link, Inc.’s website, and if you’re an alumni member interested in National FFA travel opportunities, click here.
