How Hosting Can Be a Rewarding Summer Experience for Your Family
What if you could give your family a culturally immersive experience for four weeks this summer without ever leaving CT? Families in the Stratford area are being invited to open their homes and hearts by hosting international exchange students from Spain through Northwest International Student Exchange (https://nwise.org/)
This summer, a group of ten students, ages 14-18, and one adult chaperone will be coming to the Stratford area from June 29-July 26th to experience American culture firsthand. For four weeks they will become part of an American family, learning about daily life in CT while improving their English skills and teaching their host family about life in Spain, and enhancing everyone’s understanding of the world and their place in it!
Summer Homestay Host Families are asked to provide a loving home and support, meals, transportation to locally planned activities, and a bedroom (students can share a room with a host sibling of the same gender and similar age, if needed). They are here for a cultural experience and do not attend school during the Homestay program. They simply join the family activities you’re already doing. And host families aren’t in it alone! As the local coordinator, 24/7 support is available so families don’t feel like they are completely on their own. Local activities will also be planned to help keep the kids busy! To help offset some of the costs of hosting, Summer Homestay Host Families will receive a stipend. Since it’s short-term, this is a great way to get a feel for hosting without a long commitment.
Hosting is so much more than providing a bed to sleep in. It’s sharing everyday moments, your family’s favorite meals and traditions, and learning new things! It’s trips to the grocery store, days at Short Beach, ice cream after dinner, family BBQs, or even popcorn and movie nights. It’s all about creating a summer of memories and life-long connections.
Louise, my 6-year-old daughter, is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of her big sister. She said, “Hosting is so fun because you get to learn about another culture and do drawing competitions and play games and have a big sister. When I talk about her at school, I just call her my big sister. Maybe when I get bigger, I can be an exchange student and go live with her for a while!”
Many host families go into the experience believing they are helping a student achieve their dream, only to realize that they gain just as much, if not more, themselves. As a local coordinator and Stratford host mom, I can confidently say that my family has gained so much from our hosting experience. We’ve learned about life in another country, new recipes and phrases, and we’ve gained an international connection that will last a lifetime. My daughters have been enthralled by having a big sister join our family! In fact, we are already making plans to visit our exchange daughter next summer!
Students are looking for an authentic American family to give them firsthand experience of what life here is like. That means your family and home don’t need to be perfect! If you have love to share and can provide a welcoming and engaging experience, you’re already a perfect fit!
If you’re ready to learn some Spanish, hear about life in Spain, and turn four weeks of ordinary family moments into lifelong memories for everyone, please consider being a host family!
Families interested in the Summer Homestay program can learn more by contacting:
Alana Hull
Senior Local Coordinator
alana.a.hull@gmail.com
Alana Hull is a Stratford mom, social worker, host mom and Local Coordinator. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading and cooking for her family.
