Issue Date: 5/11/09
Local families find ways to connect with exchange students
Volunteer families needed for upcoming program
By Caitlin McMurray
When you ask the Thompson family from Escondido why they have hosted an exchange student almost every summer for the past 10 years while raising their family, Jeff quickly explains, "We couldn't take our family to Spain or China or Japan, so we decided bring them to us. This summer we are excited to host a student from Spain again."
He goes on to explain that this opportunity brings culture to their family that they couldn't provide elsewhere without traveling overseas. He also says that reading and watching programs about a country is one thing, but actually having a citizen from another country to share cultures with is the next best thing to traveling there.
Their daughter is now 15 and is still very involved in the program.
"It's exciting to host a different student every year and get to know them. It is a very cool experience," she says.
The Thompson family also like the fact that the kids in this program are engaged in a basketball program, Monday through Friday, improving their English and their basketball skills and going on field trips in the area to learn about California and American culture.
"On the weeknights we get to enjoy dinner and talk with our student about what life is like in Spain, or learn about them and their families while sharing our thoughts about our lives. On the weekends, we usually go visit a local attraction that interests our student and our family or we do activities that we would normally be doing in the summer such as camping, picnicking or attending sports events," he continued.
The Thompson family still keeps in touch with many of their past students today. "International friendships are the real reward here at the end of the day," Tammie thoughtfully adds.
The Spanish home-stay program has been coming to this area for 10 years. These students come from various regions of Spain and range in age from 14-18 years old.
Many residents from the Escondido and Valley Center communities are hosts each year to these students for four weeks.
Program dates this year are July 1-29. The students attend basketball camp, excursions and field trips during the weekdays
in Escondido. There are still 6 boys who need host families. Volunteer families provide their students their own bed in their own room or shared room, 3 meals a day and lots of love. If you are interested in bringing an international experience into your home and finding out more about this program, contact, Jeff or Tammie Thompson at 760-489-8740.
He goes on to explain that this opportunity brings culture to their family that they couldn't provide elsewhere without traveling overseas. He also says that reading and watching programs about a country is one thing, but actually having a citizen from another country to share cultures with is the next best thing to traveling there.
Their daughter is now 15 and is still very involved in the program.
"It's exciting to host a different student every year and get to know them. It is a very cool experience," she says.
The Thompson family also like the fact that the kids in this program are engaged in a basketball program, Monday through Friday, improving their English and their basketball skills and going on field trips in the area to learn about California and American culture.
"On the weeknights we get to enjoy dinner and talk with our student about what life is like in Spain, or learn about them and their families while sharing our thoughts about our lives. On the weekends, we usually go visit a local attraction that interests our student and our family or we do activities that we would normally be doing in the summer such as camping, picnicking or attending sports events," he continued.
The Thompson family still keeps in touch with many of their past students today. "International friendships are the real reward here at the end of the day," Tammie thoughtfully adds.
The Spanish home-stay program has been coming to this area for 10 years. These students come from various regions of Spain and range in age from 14-18 years old.
Many residents from the Escondido and Valley Center communities are hosts each year to these students for four weeks.
Program dates this year are July 1-29. The students attend basketball camp, excursions and field trips during the weekdays
in Escondido. There are still 6 boys who need host families. Volunteer families provide their students their own bed in their own room or shared room, 3 meals a day and lots of love. If you are interested in bringing an international experience into your home and finding out more about this program, contact, Jeff or Tammie Thompson at 760-489-8740.
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Psychology Dissertation
posted 7/09/09 @ 4:59 AM PST
"It's exciting to host a different student every year and get to know them. It is a very cool experience," totally agree.
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