Topeka South Rotary is hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student, Angelle (Angie) dos Santos Gruber, this year and she needs a second host family. I thought I would share a little about my experience hosting last years' exchange student for those that may be considering.

 

I began last year as Isabella (Isa) Rios Ramos counselor from our club. Isa had two host families identified, so the plan was for her to return to her first host family towards the end of the year. The Rotary Youth Exchange program is unique in that a student will have 2-3 host families during their duration in the States. Unlike traditional exchange programs, they will typically live with one host family for 3 months before transitioning to the next.  The social worker/child therapist in me struggled with the idea of a child having to adjust to a new culture, new people, and a new home every three months. Isa quickly proved me wrong. She transitioned to her second home with absolutely no problems and loved getting to know a new family.  By January she was asking if Rotary had found a third home for her to live. She loved her first host family but really wanted the cultural experience of another family.

 

I’m sure you see where this is going. After some convincing of the husband we became Isa’s third host family. She moved in mid-March and quickly became best friends with our 10 year old daughter and 13 year old son. She was an absolute blessing to our family. In the three short months she lived with us we learned so much about her culture and I hope she learned a lot from us as well. I believe we’ve made a lifelong friend from the other side of the world. It truly was the best experience.

 

If you are interested in being one of Angie’s host families contact Jared Holroyd jared_holroyd@yahoo.com  for more information.

 

Yours truly,

Jessica Lehnherr