Saying goodbye to "my" ten kids!

June is one of the hardest months for me.  Every year I have to say good-bye to ten or twelve kids... not my own by blood, but my own by sweat and sometimes tears.  This year will be a hard one.  I've been the local supervisor for eleven kids from around the world who came here to spend a year living with an American family and going to an American high school.  This group has been an exceptionally wonderful one. 

The thing I like about what I do, is getting to know about other cultures (albiet from a teenaged point of view) and getting to know more about the culture that I live in.  I get to meet families from all around Western PA - anyone that has an interest in hosting a student.  It's an amazing variety, I can tell you that.  For one thing, I can tell you that there is NO "average American family!"  That's one of the first surprises that an exchange student gets.  They still expect Mom, Dad, 3 kids, a dog and a pool out back.  Occasionally a student will land with such a family... but it's the exception, let me tell you, not the rule. 

Anyhow, I've thought about blogging about this for a while and thought I'd give it a shot.  There's rarely a dull moment and some funny things happen along the way.  Interesting things that you learn about from all parts of the world.  I also get to have many languages represented on my Facebook site! :)  But this month is not so funny, it's a mixed bag.  I'm steeling myself to give the last hugs and final goodbyes at the same time as searching everywhere for new families for next year's kids.  But I've added a few pictures of  graduations, which is always a highlight of the month.  Good to end on a positive note.