Host an Exchange Student from Spain for 4 weeks this summer!

Calling potential host families from Swampscott, Marblehead and Nahant area!

Holiday in America is a small organization that sends Spanish students to the US for one month visits with US host families. We are looking for families to host four exchange students in the Swampscott/Marblehead/Nahant area. The students come from a small town in northern Spain (Vigo) and will be staying from June 24 to July 22, 2017.

The program is in its fourth year in the area and has been a wonderful opportunity for Spanish students to get to be part of an american home for a month and for local families to welcome a student from Spain into their family for a month. While the main focus of the program is for students to be part of an American family for a month, there will also be tourist activities and outings planned for the students twice a week with Jessica Massanari Sapp, the local coordinator. Students come with a conversant level of English, so no Spanish language is required, but families interested in the Spanish language may see this as an extra benefit- a chance to practice their Spanish with a native speaker!

Past student outings have included: The Museum of Science, duck tours, kayaking, family barbecues, a trip up the coast of Maine, a tour of the Harbor Islands and trips to Water Country and Canobie Lake Park. Past students have also participated in classes and camp activities in Swampscott and Nahant.

One of our host families reflected on the experience: “when we volunteered to do this, we thought we were opening up our home -- we had no idea how much we’d be opening up our hearts as well. Laura very much became part of our family, and it was just as much of an extraordinary experience for us as it was for her. Best of all, we formed a bond that I’m quite sure will last for the rest of our lives!” Hosting an exchange student is a wonderful experience and many families stay in touch with their visitors for years to come.

Swampscott High school students have the additional benefit of using the visit to fill the “host an exchange student” requirement of their Global Competency Certificate.

*We are currently looking to place 4 students in Swampscott, Marblehead or Nahant (ages 14 -17).
If you think you may be interested or have any questions, please contact Jessica Massanari Sapp at jmassanari@gmail.com

*Holiday in America ( http://www.hiaspain.com/his.html) is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by, Swampscott Public Schools