SIX WEEKS OF FUN!

I have to write this one, because we have just had one of the best experiences of the summer! We took on a Foreign Exchange Student from France. But let me explain, first things first.

Our neighbors who were in the program contacted us and mentioned there were still a few students in the program who needed host families! I will admit, I was reluctant at first. I mean, I love sharing my home with others, but six weeks seemed like a long time for someone I didn't know. How was I to entertain someone from another culture, who couldn't speak English very well and I couldn't speak French at all. Well, my husband speaks French fluently, but that was really no consolation to me because I was the one who needed to be home all day trying to communicate. I was very, very apprehensive to sign the commitment line, but after we, as a couple, talked it over and spoke with our two children about it I signed the dotted line. I have to admit, it was the most fun thing we could have done for our kids this summer.

Some exchange programs aren't for everyone, but if you take a look at the program and check it and find out all you can about it, it can really help you in deciding if it's the right choice for you and your family. This site looks really good about an exchange with French Canadian or even English Canadian, but it gives you some wonderful opportunities and wonderful ideas on how to go about doing an exchange!
We went with the EF program out of Brussels Belgium and feel very fortunate with the student we chose. We were able to see a profile of her a few months in advance and pick one we felt would mesh into our family lifestyle. We couldn't have chosen better. Laure fit right into our family and became one of us almost instantly. She came to our home as afraid of us as we were of her. She didn't know what to expect. I realized she wasn't expecting to be entertained at all, she was here to emerge herself into our American family and culture. She has been a complete joy to have in our home. Our children have absolutely loved having someone from a foreign country. They love to hear the accent and love to hear her speak in her native tongue besides, my four-year-old loves the way she cooks crepes.

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