Host Families Needed for Spanish Exchange Students Arriving This Weekend

Thirty teenage students from Spain will be descending on the North Shore this week and organizers continue to hustle to find host families for each student.

Kara McGarigal, a recruiter for Worldwide International Student Exchange (WISE) said, "so many families from last year have made such great connections with their students that they are returning for summer visits, and the families are not able to host this year."

The students arrive this Sunday.

"We are hustling to find homes for them now so they know where they are going and can feel good about their upcoming trip to the states," McGarigal said.

WISE has been placing students from various countries over the past 20 years on the North Shore. For the past six years a group of students have come from Barcelona and Madrid to the North Shore. 

The Turner family of Danvers has taken several students over the years.  

"It’s so enriching for our family to learn about new cultures," said Susie Turner.  

The students take English as a second language classes four days a week from 9 a.m. to noon and travel to local activities including the beach, Salem attractions and Boston during afternoons. 

For more information about hosting a student contact: Kara McGarigal at 781-367-7251 or kmcgarigal@yahoo.com or Jacquie Turner at 978-376-1700 or  Jaxiet@comcast.net.