Dear Host Families,
Hosting an overseas student as a volunteer Host Family is one of the highest expressions of good citizenship. Host Families care for the future of our country and contribute to world peace and understanding. Host Families are the most exemplary, generous people our country has to offer to the world. The concept of volunteering, of sharing one’s home with a young person from another country free-of-charge, is uniquely American. This kind of program does not...
...exist anywhere else on earth and you can justly be proud of your uniqueness. In fact, we need to teach the whole world the value of volunteering, of opening our doors and offering friendship to complete strangers.It is also no secret that this year, in particular, is a difficult year for all student exchange organizations who place students with American Host Families. This recession wreaked havoc in many families and the last thing we think about is sharing ourselves with an overseas student, no matter how grateful he or she might be and no matter how this deep experience will affect their lives. And yet, the students are coming, they are waiting for information about their American Host Families and they are looking forward to entering our High Schools. For many this is a life-long dream that may now come to a screeching halt…
If you have considered hosting a High School student from another country, now, more than ever, is the time to do it! Let’s show our foreign friends that nothing can stop Americans from showing our goodwill and generosity to the world. Hosting an overseas youngster is a life-changing experience not only for the student but for the whole family. Our Belgian AYP student, Margaux, hosted by the Russell family in Oregon, said it best: “I would like to thank my host family… This year has been awesome with you! I am so glad to have you in my life: we have so much fun together. I know that our relationship will never end because we are a family even though the Atlantic Ocean is between us! … I have changed a lot. I have grown up so much! I became more independent and I can tell you that I am now bilingual! I will never forget my amazing life in the U.S.!”
Please visit our website and contact the local High School Coordinator in your area. Thank you.
Tom and Lilka Areton
CHI Co-founders
