Hosting a Youth Exchange Student
Posted by Ralph Montesanto
Paul and Barbara Clifford gave members an overview of what is required if the club decides to become part of the District 7090 Youth Exchange Program. In the 1980s the Cliffords hosted exchange students on three occassions with students from England, Denmark and Mexico. Paul outlined the expectations from a technical perspective, discussing timelines for outbound and inbound students, the application form, the need for club counsellors and 3 - 4 host families. Barbara talked about the actual hosting of the students.
Paul and Barbara Clifford gave members an overview of what is required if the club decides to become part of the District 7090 Youth Exchange Program. In the 1980s the Cliffords hosted exchange students on three occassions with students from England, Denmark and Mexico. Paul outlined the expectations from a technical perspective, discussing timelines for outbound and inbound students, the application form, the need for club counsellors and 3 - 4 host families. Barbara talked about the actual hosting of the students. She indicated that each student is an individual who brings his or her personal experiences from both the country of origin and the type of family each has grown up in. Of the three exchanges the Clifford's hosted, one was a breeze and the student has been a new member of their family ever since, visiting them on several occassions with Paul and Barbara attending her wedding. The other two students were not quite as easy to host and required the use of "parenting skills" to keep things running smoothly. On the whole, however, the experience of hosting was one that they recommend to the club. Inbound and outbound students are 15 - 19 years old and are on exchange for one year. Our club will make a decision whether or not to be part of the exchange program on October 5 during the club assembly.