Have You Considered Hosting an International Student During the Academic Year?

Hello,

I recently become the Napa representative for International Student Exchange, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps place international students in American homes for one academic semester or for one full academic year. Why? Because I have participated in these sorts of international exchanges and found them to be positively life-changing.

Monitored by the Department of State, the mission of this program is to bring the people of the world together while helping them gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.

This program is a great way to create a life-long set of memories and goodwill, not only for the international student but for your family. As a host, you would treat this student almost as a child—they would live with you while attending the local high school, engage in extracurricular activities and sports, and hopefully travel with you on short vacations. They pay for their own flights, have their own health insurance, and are required to have $300 per month in spending money. They are well-screened, speak English, and are aged 15 to 18 (grades 10 to 12). All you are required to do is provide them with a room (can be shared), a desk or working area, a closet or dresser, and three meals per day.

We can probably match a student to your interests because there are so many students wanting to come to California. For instance, you can ask for someone who speaks specific languages, comes from specific countries, plays certain instruments or sports, and even the sorts of interests they have: hiking, going to museums, riding skateboards, and so on. Either way, it is likely that this student and your children will form life-long bonds—most host families stay in touch for years and, quite often, the children visit the student in his or her own city/country. It’s a great way to make friends beyond our borders.

Please feel free to forward this message to any and all of your friends and acquaintances whom you believe may be interested in hosting in the Napa Valley. Since students need to make decisions about next school year, time is a bit of the essence—decisions can be made up until July but April and May are the ideal times to make a match. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested!

Thank you for opening your home and sharing American goodwill throughout the world!

Robert J. Morey

Area Representative – Napa

e: robertjmorey@gmail.com