Hosting an exchange student widens horizons

Do you remember your school’s exchange student during your high school life? I do. And, because of the student from Norway my junior year and the friendship we gained, my family decided to host a student my senior year from Sweden.

Four years ago, my son came home from school with the school’s exchange student and asked if it were possible for our family to host him. Since then, my family has hosted students from Thailand, Germany and Brazil and will be hosting a student from Spain this year.

Hosting a student and enjoying their family is the reason I decided to become an area representative for International Student Exchange.

Currently, seven families are needed to host students. The student would attend your local high school and live with your family for 5 or 10 months.

This past year, I placed three students in absolutely wonderful homes in Sterling.

Rodrigo, from Ecuador, was a member of Sterling High School’s soccer team and received a key to the city by the Sterling City Council in thanks for his volunteering during his brief stay.

Anne-Claire, from France, was a member of the pom-pom squad, participated in the school’s musical and was a member of the girls varsity softball team.

Mariana, from Brazil, also was in the school play and on the girl’s softball team.

At Rock Falls High School, Carola, from Germany, was on the fall dance team and was participating with the girls basketball program prior to her return home in January.

At Milledgeville High School, Nadine, from Germany, was a member of the girls volleyball team and just recently returned to Germany. Her host sisters will be accompanying her in Germany this summer.

Wow. What an experience. My own child went to Brazil last summer to spend it with our exchange student and family.

Hosting exchange students has broadened our family internationally and has allowed my children to see that all teenagers are the same, no matter what part of the world they live in.

Please, if you have it in your heart to host an exchange student this year, call me at 815-713-8232.

Note to readers – Julie Fowler is a former resident of Rock Falls.