Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Callian, Haines, Hannasch, Drinsinger
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/23/2014
Neillsville Man Does Student Exchange (In Guam - 2013)
Neillsville Man Does Student Exchange In Guam
Craig Callian of Neillsville takes a break near a waterfall last fall during his four-month national student exchange visit to Guam. Contributed photos
By Todd Schmidt
Craig Callian, 23, of Neillsville said his national student exchange experience in Guam was a very rewarding one.
During his senior year at UW-Stout in Menomonie, Callian spent four months studying and working in Guam (August through December of 2013).
“I wanted to shake things up in my life in a good way,” Callian said.
Callian a 2009 graduate of Neillsville High School, went on to earn an associate’s degree in business management in 2012 at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). He moved on to UW-Stout, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He worked his way through school, advancing to team leader at Menard’s Distribution Center in Eau Claire. Callian is currently employed at Milwaukee Burger Company in Eau Claire.
In the future he plans to apply at a number of different places out west, with goal of eventually owning his own gym or real estate business.
“I enjoy getting the feel of working in other businesses,” Callian said. “I believe hands-on experience will get me further in life.” Callian had the option of doing college student exchange stint in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or the 12-mile by 30-mile island of Guam. He settled on Guam, which he describes as “Japan’s Hawaii.”
His curriculum had to match courses at UW-Stout. He had to present information to a transfer coordinator at UW-Stout and work out any changes via email. Callian also took a class online.
“We didn’t have any major issues,” Callian said. “Due to time difference we were always 16 hours ahead in Guam. I ran into a few cultural barriers in Guam, but otherwise the standard of living there is pretty good. I was a white kid from rural Wisconsin. I had never been a minority.”
The diverse culture in Guam includes Asian, Micronesian and Spanish people. The locals, called Chamorro, are very accommodating
“They have fiestas on Sunday, including BBQ ribs and bonfires,” Callian said. “They are open and welcoming, and they go out of their way to help you. We had a flat tire once in a rental car, and some of the local residents were eager to help us.”
He said all citizens of Guam have U.S. passports. U.S. Currency is also the national norm.
Keeping true to his nature, Callian began working as a waiter in a coffee shop and as a bartender. He made quite a few friends in that arena.
Guam played a significant role in World War II. Callian toured Suicide Cliff and surrounding bunkers.
For four days over Thanksgiving break, Callian checked out the nearby island of Saipan, which is a member of the Commonwealth and heavily influenced by the Philippines.
Craig Callian’s cuisine options while on his national student exchange trip to Guam included squid and octopus.
He expanded his cuisine horizons, trying out octopus, camel, kangaroo, crocodile, squid, coconut, crab and sushi, in addition to BBQ ribs, various chicken dishes and a lot of rice.
“For some of that, you really have to keep an open mind,” Callian said.
He also learned how to scuba dive. Callian took a one-week course at the cost of $177, compared to over $300 in the U.S. In addition, Callian paid $40 for scuba gear rental and had to purchase his own flippers, snorkel and mask.
Family members supported his student exchange in a number of ways. His grandmother and mother helped pay the plane fare. Other expenses were covered through financial aid and a student loan.
Part of his travel itinerary included a six-day stopover in Sydney, Australia, to visit his grandmother’s identical twin sister and her family. Callian celebrated his 23rd birthday with two parties on the same day, one a going away party in Guam and the other a welcome party in Sydney.
“That definitely set the bar high for age 24,” Callian smiles.
He said there were no major issues with airport security or customs.
“It was a slow process, but nothing out of the ordinary,” Callian said.
He experienced a 23-hour flight to Guam, departing from the Twin Cities with stops in Houston and Honolulu. On the return trip, Callian was routed from Guam to Sydney, then to Los Angeles, Houston and the Twin Cities.
Callian was glad to get back to Wisconsin and reunite with his family members, including his dad Bob Callian, mother Cathy and stepdad Scott Haines, sister Caitlyn Hannasch and brother Cody Callian, and step-sisters Denise and Trina Callian and Janice Drinsinger.
“My advice to other students is take a chance and go for the cultural student exchange experience,” Callian said. “Get out of your comfort zone and test the waters.
