By Melanie Vitovsky

When I was 15 my family hosted an exchange student for the summer that came from France.  It’s an experience that I’ve always remembered and I made a lifelong friend that summer.  So, when the opportunity came last year for me to be able to participate as a host family, I jumped at it.  My husband was somewhat hesitant but decided to give it a try knowing I would enjoy the company.  He not only had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience but we’re in complete agreement that we will host every year from now on.  It’s such an amazing cultural experience for our family as well as the students and it’s a program I’ve come to really believe in.  In fact, we are getting TWO exchange students for this summer.  One that is staying with us for all of July (age 15), and another that will be here for two weeks in August (age 18).   

These programs are such a great opportunity for our family to enjoy the experience of the French culture and language without the expense of travel. 

What was it like have a strange teenager in our home?  Pretty awesome!  The coordinator picked up all of the students from the airport for us and we all met at Goode Co BBQ right there on 290.  We got to know other hosting families while we waited for their arrival with our excitement and welcome posters.  It was nice getting to meet other local families, many of which we got to know much better over the course of the summer and that we still consider friends.  The first night was a little awkward as we got adjusted but by day 2 we were all comfortable, and by day 4 she was an official member of the family.  Compass USA arranges for there to be one full day activity and two half day activities each week so you don’t have to feel like you need to entertain them at all!  In addition to that the hosting families are invited to participate in any of the activities, so we did things in Houston we’d never done before!  We did get approval to take our student on our vacation with us and that was so much fun.  The only thing expected of us was to treat her as we would family, to provide her housing, and three meals a day.  The students have their own money for anything else.  She gave us a gift when she arrived of a French bottle of wine, and she even had some very cute gifts for our kids. 

She cooked us a French dinner one night, and we discovered that she’d never had peanut butter so we got her one of every type/flavor and watched as she tried them all.  She would eat it straight with a spoon the rest of her stay and finished all of it!  It was funny to watch her so in love with something that is a kitchen staple for us.  We gave her several jars to take home as a parting gift.  She always cleaned up after herself, helped us in the kitchen, and helped out with the kids.  She was funny and had great “teenage” stories to tell.  The culture IS different and it’s really neat to learn all of the ways.  At 17 our student had already graduated high school and was entering medical school when she returned home.  We had busy days and relaxing ones too.  We helped her in improving her already well-spoken English and we even learned a little bit of French.  My now almost 3 year old twins STILL like to watch the videos I took of her reading stories and singing during bedtime in her adorable accent.

Hosting an exchange student from another country is SUCH a rewarding experience.  This year all of the students are in the Cypress area.  They arrive in three weeks and there are several students (mostly boys) that still need a hosting family.   If you think you might be interested in hosting one of these students please contact me with any questions or to get started. 

**They are in DESPERATE need to place the remaining 9 students (out of 50 or so in the program).  A $50 stipend per week is paid to help with the costs of food.  There are SO many benefits so I’ve given some details below and hope to hear from you!

Compass USA is currently desperately looking for host families to host exchange students from France this summer.  The program is three weeks long and takes place from July 8-July 28. The youth will be involved in one full day excursion per week and two half day activities (families are welcome to attend) and will spend time with the host family during the rest of the time).   

You may not be able to take your whole family to France but you can open your home to one of these youth for a few weeks and have a similar experience.

Here are a few of the students who still need homes:

• Adrian -17 years old - Is passionate about tennis, soccer, and badminton. So if your family likes sports he is perfect for you!  He also enjoys music as well.
• Jules -14 years old - He is from Paris and has been to the U.S two other times. This will be the first time he is visiting Texas and he is excited.
• Theo -16 years old - He likes tennis, biking, video games and shopping among many other things.  He is also a piano player.  
• Antoine -14 years old - Tennis, swimming and golf are his favorite outdoor activities.  He also enjoys cooking, video games, and skiing and surfing.  Watch out because he is also a brown belt in Karate!
• Gregoire -16 years old - He is an avid tennis player as he has played for 10 years!  His family also enjoys going bowling together. Like any teen he also likes movies and computers.  He has two sisters and says he will help out with family chores or working outside while he is in America.  How sweet is that?

Benefits:

• This is a great opportunity to try out hosting a student without a year long commitment.
• Host family members can take part in full-day excursions (Downtown Aquarium,NASA, & George Ranch) and half-day activities around Houston (Galleria, Zoo, Houston Tour, & Sports Tour).
• A scholarship opportunity is available for any host family teen (ages 15-18) for an all-expense paid trip to Spain, France, or China with the Compass USA sister company. (go to www.aili.us for more details)
• Your family can enjoy the experience of the French culture and language without the expense of travel.

When:

• Arrival -July 8^th
• Departure -July 28^th
   

(If these dates don’t work for you but you are interested please contact me.  There is limited availability for a couple of students coming in August for a shorter duration.)

FAQs - Host parent info:

• Who can host? A couple with or without kids, or a single parent with kids can host a student. A single person can host the escort who accompanies the students.  English must be the primary language spoken at home (or at least during the time the students are living with you).
• What kind of space do I need to have? Your student does not need his/her own room.  The student may share a room with your child of the same gender, who is no more than three years older or younger than the student.  An office, study, library, or basement with a window is fine, if an extra bedroom is not available.  You can use a futon, mattress, or air mattress.  If you don’t have access to an air mattress, Compass will lend you one.
• What if I work during the day? During the Orientation/Welcome Party, we will give all host parents a chance to see who lives close so you can coordinate carpools.  If you have a friend who lives nearby, see if they will host a student so you can share carpool responsibilities.  Please talk to us if this is the only obstacle to hosting!
• What are my responsibilities? Open to sharing your life with a student, provide three meals daily, and transportation to/from a central meeting point.
• What do host families do for the rest of the week? On days without planned activities, spend time with them and talk to them!  Bake cookies, make meals, go for walks, get coffee!  Include them in your family chores and responsibilities so they feel included.  Invite them to church if that is part of your weekly routine.  Compass understands your commitment and as a thank you is providing a $50 a week stipend to help offset food and gas costs.

If you are interested please email Melanie Vitovsky at mpatient24@earthlink.net or call with questions between 10 AM and 9 PM at 281.213.2157 for additional information.