Host families sought for foreign exchange students

The Council on International Educational Exchange is seeking families to host foreign exchange students for this school year, starting in August. 

Among the foreign exchange programs that brought students to the Mother Lode last year is FLEX, or Future Leaders Exchange, administered by the U.S. Department of State. 

The Council on International Educational Exchange is among the organizations that helps place FLEX students and support them throughout the year.

Students in the FLEX program have won full scholarships to live in the U.S. for one academic year and attend local high schools. 

Other foreign exchange students with CIEE have won similar scholarships or are here with financial support from their families. 

Local host families provide food and lodging for the visiting student. The students have medical insurance and spending money for clothing, toiletries, school fees and school supplies. 

CIEE “Welcome Families” can host the students for as little as six to eight weeks starting in August. 

All students speak English to varying degrees, according to Cyndi Kirk, the local coordinator for CIEE. With the CIEE USA High School Program, host families select a student from one of over 50 countries. 

Kirk said that over the past year, Sonora High School and Summerville High School were both home to foreign exchange students in the CIEE USA High School Program and FLEX program. 

They hailed from countries including Brazil, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and China. 

For more information on hosting a foreign exchange student, contact Kirk at 586-4249 or visit http://www.ciee.org/highschool/.