Exchange students from France and Spain were headed to Lancaster County in spring and summer 2015, giving families in the Lititz and Manheim areas a chance to host a foreign guest.
The students came as part of an intercultural exchange organized by Horizons du Monde, a nonprofit organization that had been placing students with host families in multiple countries for more than 30 years.
Building citizens of the world
“Their goal is to help today’s teenagers to become mature and broad-minded citizens of the world,” said Vick Kurtz, the organization’s local coordinator. “To achieve this goal they have chosen to develop and promote intercultural friendships for youth through homestay programs.”
The schedule
Students from France arrived April 28 and departed May 6. A second group, from Spain, was scheduled to stay from July 1 to July 28.
Horizons du Monde was seeking 15 local host families for the Spanish students. During their stay, the visitors would take English as a second language classes and visit local sites.
“This is a great opportunity to open our family to another culture, as well as share our community with a student,” Kurtz said.
How hosting works
Families interested in hosting were asked to contact Kurtz quickly. The process included an interview and a home visit to prepare families for the experience.
Host families typically provide a bed, meals and a welcoming home, and include the student in everyday family life, from dinners and errands to weekend outings. Students on short-term summer programs usually spend weekdays in classes and organized excursions, so families do not need to plan full days of activities.
“By being a host family we can not only help a teen learn more about the USA but your family will learn about the Spanish culture and gain a lifelong friend,” Kurtz said.
Why families host
Short-term homestays give American families, especially those with children of a similar age, a window into another culture without leaving home. Students practice their English in a real-world setting, while host siblings often pick up some Spanish or French. Many host families stay in touch with their students for years, and some later visit them abroad.
For visiting students, Lancaster County offers a distinctive slice of American life, from small-town main streets like Lititz’s to farmland, Amish country, historic sites and attractions such as Hersheypark and nearby Philadelphia.
Showing off Lititz
A month in Lititz in July would introduce students to the borough’s busiest season, including the Fourth of July celebration in Lititz Springs Park, one of the oldest continuing Independence Day celebrations in the country, along with summer concerts and downtown shops.
Contact
For more information at the time, families were directed to Vick Kurtz, local coordinator for Horizons du Monde, at 717-917-8119.
What hosting involves
Host families typically provide a bed, meals and a welcoming home, and include their guest in everyday life: family dinners, errands, outings and local events. Many hosts say the most rewarding part is seeing their own town through a visitor’s eyes.
Benefits for families
Hosting can be especially rewarding for families with teens of a similar age, who often form lasting friendships with their guests. Language practice goes both ways, and some families keep in touch for years or visit their students abroad.
Questions to ask
Families considering hosting should ask the sponsoring organization about the length of stay, the program schedule, supervision, insurance and who to contact if questions arise during the visit.
Interested families were encouraged to contact the organization early, since placements are arranged well before students arrive.
This article was originally published in April 2015.