7/22/2009 - Hosting exchange students worthwhile
Duluth News Tribune
I was so happy to see the July 19 story about the AFS exchange student from Germany who returned to Two Harbors for his 50th high school reunion (“Former AFS student returns to Two Harbors for 50th reunion”).
My family has hosted exchange students since I was in college. In 1986 my mother hosted a girl from Finland and we’ve kept in regular contact ever since, with visits both in Finland and in the U.S. The most recent trip was to Finland by my mom a couple of weeks ago. Ulla is now a doctor with children of her own.
My husband and I, along with our two children, have also hosted four AFS students from Germany, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Each of them has been a great addition to our family, as well as to the schools they attended. We have met many of their families, and we cannot wait until we can go and visit them in heir home countries.
Hosting exchange students has been so good for my 11-year-old twins, who have learned so much about other cultures and who now have sisters and friends all over the world.
Every year, AFS brings about 35 students into our region; it’s one of the world’s largest community-based volunteer organizations dedicated to building a more just and peaceful world through international student exchange. Every AFS student needs a loving home for a semester or a school year. A need persists for host homes this coming school year. Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student can please check out the local AFS Area Team’s Web site at afsnorth.org.
Hosting an exchange student is a valuable, rewarding experience and a tangible way to contribute to bringing peace to our world one connection at a time.
Jill Cornwell
Duluth
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