Local Foreign Exchange Student Program Needs 35 Host Families For Two or Three Week Summer Exchange.
This year I became a course leader for the non-profit Education First International Homestay Programs (EF) because it touched my family to host an exchange student last year. I also brought the program to the Olympia, Lacey area because I didn’t want our community to miss out on educational and cultural opportunities that flourish in bigger cities.

However, I can only keep this program here if I can find host families in the area. Because of the economic recession, it’s been even tougher to convince families to commit to hosting. It does not take a lot to be a host family though. If you are able to provide a bed (they can share rooms if you have a student within 3 years of age and the same gender), three meals a day, transportation to and from the local drop-off point—Faith Lutheran School—during the week, and a stable caring environment – then you have what it takes to share your life with an eager student from abroad. We are still in need of 35 more host families for this summer’s trip.

We have a group of 31 middle school students and 4 chaperones coming from China from July 17th to Aug. 5th or July 24 to Aug. 6. That’s only two to three weeks. I know our volunteer host families lives are busy, especially during the summer. That’s why hosting with EF is the perfect balance, as our program is less than three weeks. Think about taking that leap into unknown territory this summer! By hosting a student, you introduce your family to an exciting new global experience and gain exposure to a another culture, without having to make a long-term commitment.

You are just a summer away from cultivating long-lasting friendships and promoting cross-cultural connections in our community. Now is your chance to open up your home and heart to students from China. What are you waiting for?

For more details about hosting please go to: www.olympiaexchangestudents.com .

If you would like more info please contact Windy Hoepfner 360-789-2668