Most exchange programs rely on parents of high school students to host a foreign student thereby giving the exchange student an automatic buddy. But parents like Huber feel families with younger children have a lot to give and get in return. We always choose to host exchange students who have siblings back at home, so they re used to sharing and dealing with younger kids, she said. Jim Spitz, who finds hosts for French students for three weeks in the summer through the Family Stay Program, says he s amazed how quickly friendships form between children of very different ages. On the day of departure, it s not unusual for a student show up at the airport, holding his host family s infant in his arms, he said.
Bonds grow in a very short period of time.
The ERDT program allows host families to choose the student they feel will blend in best with their own children, said local program coordinator Pat Morris. If you re sharing your family for five to 10 months, you want someone who shares your interests, Morris said. Host families provide exchange students with room and board, but receive no monetary compensation for doing so. Depending on the program, the exchange student may receive a small stipend for expenses and spending money. The Hubers say they ve had best luck with boys who enjoy athletics, just like they do.