Families encouraged to host foreign students

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People wanting to make a difference in the world can do so by participating in the Unique Advantage Exchange Program.
The program is a private non-profit, nation-wide organization established in 1998, said Cheryl Passmore, UAEP area representative.
The object of this program, she said, is to create living opportunities for high-school students of different cultures and to promote a better, more peaceful world through increased cooperation and understanding between individuals, cultures and nations.
“It is designed as an educational, cultural experience that fosters goodwill through positive personal experience.
“Every year, UAEP places high school students from around the world with host families all around the United States,” she said.
Passmore said UAEP is currently looking for individuals or families to host those foreign exchange students who wish to come to America and attend local high schools for the upcoming school year.
She said about 25 students, ranging from 15 to 18, will be arriving in August for the beginning of the school year.
“We are looking for volunteers who are willing to share their love, home and experiences to create a new friendship and memories that will last a lifetime,” Passmore said.
Many students from different countries with different backgrounds are very eager to learn more about the “American way of life” firsthand by living with an American family during the school year, she said.
“It is a unique opportunity to bring cultures from different parts of the world together and to enrich cultural learning and understanding among American host families and foreign exchange students,” she said.
In addition to providing meals and a bed, host families are expected to guide the student in learning and developing throughout the program, and to treat their student like a member of the family and not as a guest, Passmore said.
“It is also the host families’ responsibility to teach their students about the family rules and values, to establish reasonable household rules and chores for their year,” she said.
Passmore said host families may come from all different walks of life, practice various religions, and may live in different types of communities, homes and parts of the country.
“But they do have some common aspects, such as being stable families and willing to provide a good, positive experience for the exchange student and truly wanting an exchange student,” she said.
Passmore said by accepting a new son or daughter from a different country and culture, host families are not only taking an important step toward understanding another culture, but understanding their own culture and making a contribution to international harmony.
Since this is a volunteer-based program, host families do not get a stipend but do receive a $50 tax deductible benefit every month.
Passmore said all of the exchange students have an interest in learning about America and knowing more than they read in books and newspapers or from what they see on television.
“They will stay in American communities in either five or 10-month programs,” she said.
Passmore said students are expected to participate in the host family as a family member, share their ideas and culture with their host family, be flexible, adaptable, positive and adjust to the lifestyle of the host family.
“They also have a strict code of conduct to follow, such as no drinking, no smoking, be well behaved and well mannered,” she said.
Passmore said students have their own medical insurance and spending money and they are proficient in English, which makes them easy to interact with the host family.
“Most of the students are in the top 20 percent of their class,” she said.
Passmore said host families can go through the available student portfolios and select up to two students who are compatible to their family’s interest.
“Interested families are encouraged to participate in this program, because by hosting an exchange student, they will surely have love, memories, bonds and enjoyment.
“I hope more people will join us in giving these students a warm welcome to our country,” she said.
For more information about participating in UAEP, please contact Passmore at (517) 862-4603.