Hackwiths Host Estonian Exchange Student

Kevin Koik, an exchange student from Estonia, is a junior at MHS and lives with Delvin and Cammy Hackwith. Things in Milbank are different for Kevin. “The longest car ride he had taken before he came here was three hours,” says Delvin. “That’s how long it takes to drive from his home town of Valga to the capital of Estonia, Tallin. We have taken some pretty long trips since he’s been here.”

The family traveled to Bozeman, Montana, just three days after Kevin arrived in Milbank. “I was still jet lagged,” he says. “That was my first rodeo.” Delvin says that is really was Kevin’s first rodeo. “He had never been to a rodeo. And it was the first time he rode a horse.”

The family also went camping in the Black Hills. Cammy and Delvin stayed in a camper and Kevin and his American brothers slept in tents. “I think he liked it,” Cammy said. “But he said it was the dirtiest his hair had ever been with no showers for four days.” The family also has traveled to Minneapolis several times and Cammy says, “We will be going to Arizona for Thanksgiving.”

Besides going new places, Kevin is experienced other new things. He helped Delvin and the Milbank Kiwanis Club work at Tommy’s popcorn stand at Lake Farley Park and he rode with Delvin and Cammy in the MHS Homecoming parade. “We don’t have things like that back home,” he says. “We don’t have Homecoming or Prom.”

Sports are another big change for Kevin. “We only have club sports and none in our schools,” he says. In Estonia, Kevin participates in track and field all year. “I have been in the sport for seven years, and am waiting for track season here.” He prefers the hurdles, pole vault, and high jumping.

To stay in shape for track, Kevin joined cross country this fall. “I have never done that, but I liked it. I liked the team and all the spirit that we have. I have never felt that before. It was also great we pushed each other so much.” But he admits, running five to six miles in one practice is something he was not accustomed to. “He is very dedicated to the sport,” Cammy and Delvin say. “He would run to Unity Square, work out there, and then run back home.”

Kevin brought his dedication to track with him from Estonia. “I do not have time for much else because I am doing that five times a week. We take part in the Estonia Championships twice a year.” There is just one track and field club in Valga – Maret Sports. “We don’t have a team name after animals like you do here. Ours is a woman’s name – Maret.” Kevin’s younger sister, who is 15, also competes in track and field. “She is even better than me,” he says.

Kevin also discovered racquetball and challenges his American dad. “We play every Sunday,” Delvin says. “I think his goal is to beat me. He improves by 50 percent every time we play, so I don’t think it will take long.” He is also enjoying kayaking and learning to play bean bags.

Food has presented even more differences and some challenges. “The biggest difference is you have a lot of fast food and soda here,” Kevin says. “We have more juices and eat a lot of potatoes, rice and meat with sauce.” Kevin also admits to difficulties adjusting to school lunch. “We have been trying to pack lunch for him most days,” Cammy says. “But he doesn’t prefer our bread, so sandwiches are hard, and he doesn’t like peanut butter. So we try to send leftovers.”

He is embracing the food differences too, though. He can dig into a hamburger and fries like any American teen. “I have eaten more of those here than I ever have before,” he says. He also enjoys cinnamon rolls, pizza, and Mexican food. And he likes to cook. “Our favorite thing he made is mashed potatoes with barley in them,” Delvin says. “They are crazy good. I don’t think I will ever eat mashed potatoes again without barley. They are so different, but so good.”

Kevin began a blog to highlight his life in the United States. “It’s easy for people to keep up with me that way,” he says. Cammy agrees, “He has a lot of people following him.” Kevin also says when he gets back home, he would have too much to tell people. “It has been a good experience so far,” he says. “I would tell others to do it. Many of my friends are already in the process of applying for next year.”