A few years back, I did a blog post on the pros and cons of direct placements. These are exchange student placements in which the student or his/her family back home knows the host family in the host country, and they request that the student be placed in that family. Today’s post is a companion […]
I so love this video! Says it all in just a few short minutes. The power of cultural exchange! Having someone from another country living in your home changes them and changes you — for the better. That’s just one of the many reasons why we should make every effort to learn about people from […]
edit NoteWe hear many misperceptions regarding host family expectations, so we thought it was time to revisit this issue. There are many reasons why Americans host teens from other countries. Hosting a student provides an opportunity to learn about another culture. Moreover, people everywhere are proud of their culture and their country, and want to […]
I had the honor recently to be able to give special thanks to two of the school districts in which we place and work with exchange students.The EF High School Exchange Year Global Education Excellence Award is presented annually to high schools that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness. This year, […]
I keep telling everyone how useful it can be to learn another language. Actually, I’m not the only one . . . I see reports and news stories all the time advocating a second language. Reasons cited include possible professional advantages, the benefits of learning another culture through its language and literature, and “exercising” your […]
By Guest Author Tara HollandEvery year the cost of attending college in the U.S. increases, even for U.S. residents. The average cost of tuition and fees for a public university for in-state residents in 2018-2019 is $10,230. Public universities for out-of-state and international students cost an average of $26,290 in 2018-2019. However, these averages don’t […]
We’re always urging our exchange students to “do” some kind of extracurricular activity — something outside their regular school classes. It almost doesn’t matter what the activity is; it can be sports, band, choir, a dance class, martial arts, or some sort of volunteer activity in the community. It can be something that already interests […]
Why should you host an exchange student? Because sharing your life will teach someone else about who you are and brings us all closer together, a little at a time. Because few experiences can teach you – and your children — the small but critical differences between cultures as living with someone from another country. […]