Life skills for IUS students

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ann Stefanek
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  This week in conjunction with the Incirlik Unit School, Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Services is offering Life Skills for Seniors, a series of lectures and group discussions to help seniors prepare for life after graduation. 

"Last year we saw the opportunity to provide some preventive education to seniors while the rest of the school was taking their Terra Nova Tests," explained Carole Schubeck, ASACS counselor. "When I was in Okinawa, we had 950 students, so all I had time for was treatment. Here, I have time to focus on prevention and education." 

This year Ms Schubeck, along with several base agencies, is continuing her program with four seminars: dating and relationships, binge drinking, homesickness, and two days of financial planning information. 

During day one, students were involved in group discussions on identifying traits they'd like to find in a mate and received information from the sexual assault response coordinator about situations they may experience once they are on their own or in a college environment. 

"I gave the session two thumbs up. Everyone was friendly and the information was applicable to everyday life," said Justin Nalley, an IUS senior who attended the session. "They described certain natural behaviors and explained why people act the way they do." 

During the second day, students learned about the dangers of binge drinking and were given information to acquaint them with the amount of impairment they can expect to face when they consume alcohol, depending on their sex and weight. 

Students also discussed homesickness and getting along with others in an effort to help them prepare for leaving their parents and the challenges of living with a roommate for the first time. 

The topic on the final two days was financial Information. Students were given advice about important financial decisions they may face as they begin managing money. Some of these issues include buying their first car, balancing a checkbook, and avoiding credit card debt. 

The ASACS program is funded by the 39th Medical Group as part of their Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program. Its goal is to promote prevention and education within Department of Defense schools so children do not gravitate toward unhealthy pursuits. 

"There are about 60 ASACS counselors overseas. We exist to provide support services to our military families." said Ms. Schubeck. "We also give students skills which will help them be good citizens in their host countries."