Hosting Foreign Exchange Students

[908sfirst]

The high school had a foreign exchange program with a high school in Italy. We take the Italians for 2 weeks, and then we send our kids back to Italy with their families for 2 weeks. Chaperoned by teachers, so you would think it would be safe.

It was a nightmare, nothing but party, including lots of drugs that the wilder Americans found for the wilder Italians. We couldn't wait for our Italian to go back home.

The principal cancelled the return trip, and our Americans did not go to Italy for their leg of the journey. Good call.

[carnation]

Roundoff back handspring!

Our German student was just chosen as the junior representative to the Homecoming Court of our huge high school!

[carnation]

It's that time of year and I hope that all you guys who keep approaching me about hosting an exchange student will step up to the plate and do it this year!

On deck for the Carnations this fall: 2 girls, 1 from Chile (a fall semester only student) and 1 from Germany whose background is actually Portuguese and Indian. We're so excited!

[NCSigma]

I was an exchange student my junior year of high school and it changed my life! I would not be where I am today (a Foreign Service Officer, my dream job) without it. Yay for hosting students!

[Low D Flat]

My sister spent part of a summer with a family in France in the mid-80s, and their daughter came here the following summer. Our families are still good friends almost 30 years later, with many visits back and forth over the decades. When an exchange goes well, it can go REALLY well.