A HOST FAMILY STORY: 30 straight years of hosting

My first student was from Norway and we still try to keep in contact. The further back the student is, the harder it is to keep in contact but Facebook and WhatsApp makes that a lot easier. A couple of my past students now live in the USA and we occasionally have breakfast together. I had my last visit to Europe to see the other exchange students in July and then I’ll go back to Europe again to visit more students next summer. Going to Europe and visiting the kids before they arrive is something I’ve done 25 times. I do this because I think it’s a great way to start our relationship and I’m able to meet the parents too.

I believe that cultural exchanges are important to meet different people. I get the chance to go over there and see their way of life and culture. It’s like we’re all related. I embrace my fathering instinct and I don’t like an empty house. I’m currently hosting Melvin from Denmark and I would like to have an exchange student next year. When I have a new student, the old exchange students from that country are going to be connected with him. My students have become a really big family.

I’ve gotten used to living with a teenage male, there are things I let go and things I worry about. A tip I have for other host parents and I use myself with Melvin is to enable tracking on each other’s phones, with this I always know where Melvin is and he can always find out where I’m at. I also recommend getting your student a bank card so they can withdraw cash easier. Always keeping a copy of the student’s insurance in your car is also a good idea, most times you need it you will have driven somewhere.

With my students, I like to take them to New York City to see New York and for birthdays, I like to take them to a big sailing ship restaurant on the Philadelphia waterfront. On Sundays, we’ll go to baseball (Phillies) and football games (Temple). I always support my kids and go to all their sporting events as well.

The most heartwarming experience with my exchange students I can remember is when I had my hip surgery, I was hosting one exchange student at the time but after the surgery, there were 4 exchange students who came to visit me. Seeing them all after the surgery made me think about how much my students and I care for each other.

My lifestyle changes based on what my student does. His needs and interests come before what I want. This is his year so if my host kid wants to go out to eat with friends, I’d find something else to do. I take care of my exchange students like they would be my own. Like my parents took care of me. There are things that will happen, you have to know what to do when it does. Adapting to your student is important. I’m thankful to have someone else around the house to make the house feel more whole. I enjoy having somebody to talk to and somebody to take places.