Opening Your Home To Strangers

Our family has had the opportunity to host several foreign exchange students this year. It has been a wonderful experience for all. This had been something I was curious about for years, although I never pursued it.

Our journey began over the summer. My friend Rena had called one day and asked if we were interested in helping a few children from China. They were coming to New York for a week (to attend Stony Brook University) and needed a place to stay. Of course we said yes. What an opportunity. I was so excited to meet these four teens and give them an American experience. Although they did not speak English, we got to know one another through a translator app on our phones. Our children invited their friends over nightly to help the teens feel at home. I loved watching the interactions, loved the chemistry without words. With very limited language compatibility...we made it work. It was one of the best weeks of 2018. I still keep in contact via text with Alice, the youngest of the teens. She misses us and America. I will treasure her forever.

I remember saying to myself, "I would do this again." Little did I know I would be hosting a 16 year old just a few months later. Manuel is a sweet, young lad who had dreams to come to America for years. He wanted to experience school and our culture. He has came to Long Island in September and was staying with a host family who hit hard times. He had to leave their home. So we decided to let him stay with us. I look forward to sharing experiences with you.

If you are interested in helping students from other countries experience the American culture and an education, there are many resources you can turn to. These kids come here legally, and pay thousands of dollars to make their dreams reality. Open your home and help make a dream come true.

Here are a few URLs you can start with if your interested:

https://iseusa.org/

https://www.afsusa.org/

https://exchanges.state.gov/no...

https://www.questexchange.org/