Fifty exchange students from Spain, Brazil, Hungary, Argentina, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and other foreign countries, including those of the former Soviet Union, are expected to come to Hawaii during the 2001-2002 school year. Living abroad also helped her appreciate her own culture, Bancel said. Sometimes you have to learn from another point of view to put a value on your own country. Students will attend the local public high school in the district in which their host resides. Participants are carefully selected through the organization and attend an orientation program as soon as they arrive in Hawaii.
Hosts provide room and board without remuneration.
Also, exchange students are covered by health and accident insurance and are provided with a monthly stipend for personal needs. Students interested in studying in the United States are sponsored by major international, educational and cultural exchange programs such as the Center for Cultural Interchange, Soros Foundation and the Freedom Support Act. The International Hospitality Center is a private, community-based volunteer agency providing programming and hospitality services to government and foundation grantees and sponsored international exchange students. Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student can contact Barbara Bancel at 521-3554.