Exchange programs benefit host families as well

Foreign exchange programs offer high school students a world of opportunities: the opportunity to understand different cultures and different beliefs; the opportunity to learn a new language; the opportunity to forge lifelong friendships. But these opportunities aren't limited to high school students. By hosting a student from another country or community, entire families can reap the rewards of exchange programs.

While the cost of sending a student on exchange can be prohibitive for many families, the cost of hosting a student needn't be.

"We ask that parents provide the students with a separate bed to sleep in, a quiet place to study, three meals a day and treat a child as they would their own at holidays like Christmas and birthdays," said Patti Floyd, Youth For Understanding field director for Alaska and Washington.

Though Floyd is an employee of YFU, the Nikiski woman understands the commitment involved in hosting students, firsthand.

"We've had 27 students from 13 countries through our home in the past 11 years," Floyd said.

She says some students stayed with her temporarily, until permanent homes opened up. But some six or eight stayed for a full year.

Wasilla Rotarian Dan Kennedy understands the commitment as well. As a member of the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary Club, Kennedy has hosted three students in his home: a boy from France, a girl from Germany, and a boy from Mexico. And on August 20, the Kennedy family will welcome its fourth exchange student, 16-year-old Katarina Danzl from Germany.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to share a culture with our children," said Kennedy.

Kennedy's son, 13-year-old David, agrees.

"I really enjoy it because you get to learn about the different cultures around the world, and you get to learn different languages," said the younger Kennedy.

He said he's enjoyed all the exchange students his family has hosted. But his favorite was 15-year-old Javier Banda from Mexico, who stayed with his family this past year.

"He was just really funny," he said. "He talked a lot about Mexico and we talked about Alaska. We'd cook for him and he would cook for us."

The young Kennedy says the experience left him anxious to see other places and to become an exchange student himself. That's just the sort of impact the Rotary Youth Exchange Program promises.

"We're building bridges," says Woody Angst, general chairman for Rotary District 5010 Youth Exchange Program.

And YFU strives for a similar goal.

"If we can open one person's mind or change one person's view of another country, then we've done our job," said Floyd.

Floyd adds that exchange students impact more than just their host families.

"They touch the lives of lots of people in the community," she said.

Jim Wachter, whose family became involved in exchange programs after his daughter Rebecca's encounter with an exchange student, can attest to that.

The 2003 Wasilla-High-School graduate befriended a German exchange student during her freshman year. She traveled to Germany to visit her the following year. Those experiences led her to participate in a number of travel and exchange opportunities, from a two-week stay in a Yupik village in Alaska two years ago, to a 10-day stay in Israel this past summer.

Her experiences, in turn, led her family to host two exchange students and to befriend the families who hosted her.

"The family in Germany invited us to visit them," said Wachter. "We went last summer and stayed for a month. "It was one of the better trips I've ever taken. I just wish we had the time and money to visit the Finnish family too."

Wachter says they've gained from the experiences."

"They've been nothing but a huge plus," he said.