Exchange Students

[55south]

Originally Posted by mbrkrs

We've had an AFS student from France live with us. We never intended on having an exchange student, but my daughter befriended her at school and she would come over occasionally. Halfway through the school year, her host family situation went downhill and we volunteered to be her host family. The application process wasn't too bad. We had to ask a few people to fill out reference forms for us.

Overall, it was a good experience but it helped that we already knew the student beforehand. I've known several families & exchange students who didn't have good experiences--mainly caused by differences in values & morals or teenagers who don't want to be around the family.

AFS does have a good support system in place and they do home visits to try to work out any problems or concerns throughout the year. Our AFS liaison would take our student to activities where she could meet with other exchange students. I know she worked extensively with the other host family to try & work out the problems before removing our student from their home. Another positive thing about AFS is that you have a long list of students to choose from. They have pictures & bios on each of them so you could choose one who does like sports.

I do not know anyone from AFS locally. We lived in another state when we were a host family.

On the negative side, it was quite expensive for us. The students get a monthly stipend but it wasn't enough to cover additional travel expenses or eating out frequently like we do. It felt strange asking her to pay for her meal separately in a restaurant so we always took care of the bill. We took her to New Orleans & Pensacola, Florida and we paid for everything on those trips. She bought her own souvenirs but that was about it.

It was a good experience but I wasn't ready to host another student the next year.

You bring up a good point about the student paying their own way. I would feel uncomfortable also if we went out to eat (which we frequently do) and ask her/him to pay for their own meal. Like you, that is just something we would not do.
And we travel too - quite a bit - so that was another thing I brought up to my husband, to make sure he was comfortable with the student going everywhere we go, having to pay for their flights, etc.
We can afford to --- but are we willing to do that if we end up not enjoying their company?
On the other hand, my entire neighborhood is excited about the prospect of having another teen around. We're pretty active, and we've got a lot of support if the student 'gets bored' without another student living under the same roof. I know many kids that have either done this or know family's that have just not around here in Nashville. It seems that even if the family has a ton of kids living in the house - often times they don't end up 'hanging out' anyhow.
I'm thinking about it and reading about it and talking about it to others.
We shall see!

[CountryGirl2b=]

I just read on the AFS website that you COULD host TWO students which means they would be there for each other! Or that you can be a "Welcome Family" just for 6 to 8 weeks to give it a try. It really does sound like fun BUT you do want to get a student with the same temperment/interests that you have. Do you speak any other languages?

[55south]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

I just read on the AFS website that you COULD host TWO students which means they would be there for each other! Or that you can be a "Welcome Family" just for 6 to 8 weeks to give it a try. It really does sound like fun BUT you do want to get a student with the same temperment/interests that you have. Do you speak any other languages?

Oh my gosh! WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!!!!
I would absolutely LOVE to host 2!
We both speak other languages!
I want to kiss you!
THANK YOU!

[CountryGirl2b=]

Ah shucks . . . . thanks for the kiss! Just keep me in mind for the CMA's in case "Jacques" or "Wolfgang" aren't in to country music!

Let us know how it goes . . . I'd be more than happy to go back to high school and live at your house for a year. I even speak a little German. Ya Ya!

All the best!

[55south]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

Ah shucks . . . . thanks for the kiss! Just keep me in mind for the CMA's in case "Jacques" or "Wolfgang" aren't in to country music!

Let us know how it goes . . . I'd be more than happy to go back to high school and live at your house for a year. I even speak a little German. Ya Ya!

All the best!

We're in and we're excited!!!!!!

[Kevin south of Nashville]

Can we vote for 55south & CountryGirl2b= to host a Nashville CD Forum meetup yet or what??!? You guys are awesome.