Host families help international students adjust to United States
Spring International Language Center provides intensive English and cross-cultural education
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: News
"I learned real quickly with Kazuki - if you want to talk to him, you better know something about fish," Lea Criss said.
Jamaludeen said he plans to go to flight school in the U.S. once he passes the English proficiency exam. He wants to be a pilot for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Lea Criss said Jamaludeen is planning to stay with them and go through all six levels at the SILC.
"I feel very comfortable in this house," Jamaludeen said. "It's like my family, my real family."
Lea Criss said they "get to know these kids like they are our own. We scold them like they are our own."
Darryl Criss added, "We annoy them like they are our own."
The Crisses said they also get to experience cultural differences through things like food and religion.
Darryl Criss said they are Christians and invite the students to go to church, but they don't try to force anything on them.
"We always try to let them know we respect their beliefs," he said.
Jamaludeen said he had never met any Christians before staying with the Crisses.
"It's different and interesting at the same time," he said.
Though Jamaludeen is Muslim, he said he has felt comfortable living in a Christian home.
A host family provides a stable environment where new students can feel secure that they have someone to help them and answer their questions, Kitajima said.
Kitajima misses his family, but he said that keeping in touch with them online has kept him from getting too homesick.
"Being away from my parents and family is part of being in another country," he said. "You have to take the risk of leaving home. My parents understand. I think there is more opportunity here that outweighs the risk."
Christine and Tim Klinger said the first time they hosted a student was in 2002. They have hosted about 20 students, with up to four staying in their home at one time.
The Klingers have two children, but both have graduated college and live in their own homes.
Jamaludeen said he plans to go to flight school in the U.S. once he passes the English proficiency exam. He wants to be a pilot for Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Lea Criss said Jamaludeen is planning to stay with them and go through all six levels at the SILC.
"I feel very comfortable in this house," Jamaludeen said. "It's like my family, my real family."
Lea Criss said they "get to know these kids like they are our own. We scold them like they are our own."
Darryl Criss added, "We annoy them like they are our own."
The Crisses said they also get to experience cultural differences through things like food and religion.
Darryl Criss said they are Christians and invite the students to go to church, but they don't try to force anything on them.
"We always try to let them know we respect their beliefs," he said.
Jamaludeen said he had never met any Christians before staying with the Crisses.
"It's different and interesting at the same time," he said.
Though Jamaludeen is Muslim, he said he has felt comfortable living in a Christian home.
A host family provides a stable environment where new students can feel secure that they have someone to help them and answer their questions, Kitajima said.
Kitajima misses his family, but he said that keeping in touch with them online has kept him from getting too homesick.
"Being away from my parents and family is part of being in another country," he said. "You have to take the risk of leaving home. My parents understand. I think there is more opportunity here that outweighs the risk."
Christine and Tim Klinger said the first time they hosted a student was in 2002. They have hosted about 20 students, with up to four staying in their home at one time.
The Klingers have two children, but both have graduated college and live in their own homes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
arizona home insurance
posted 5/31/08 @ 5:33 PM CST
My daughter dated this past year an international student from Germany. He had some language issues initially but overall an incredibly nice young man. (Continued…)
www.BoddenWear.com
posted 6/13/08 @ 6:01 PM CST
www.boddenwear.com
Sylvie Meis
posted 7/17/08 @ 2:02 PM CST
Very cool. Foreign exchange is such an eye opening experience for both the students and the hosting families. Both sides end up with a fresh perspective on the world, with a new sympathy for other people. (Continued…)
Qasir
posted 7/22/08 @ 5:26 AM CST
i am searching host families in germany.
Hoy
posted 8/05/08 @ 8:16 AM CST
Hey,
we are a family(parents with 3 kids from 14 - 22, leaving near Celle (near Hannover) and we are interested to host a boy or a girl from the USA. (Continued…)
credit card relief
posted 1/26/09 @ 9:38 AM CST
We also know three families who have hosted kids from overseas. They all expressed that it was a great experience. Two of those families still keep in contact with those kids. (Continued…)
arizona auto insurance
posted 1/26/09 @ 9:40 AM CST
With our current economic situation I was wondering if international exchange is going to face some difficult times. Let's hope not. I think it gives kids overseas a better understanding that our families are very similar to theirs. (Continued…)
phoenix life insurance
posted 2/19/09 @ 11:15 PM CST
We've known several families who have hosted. Nearly all experienced great times with it. It's something my wife and I will consider in a few years. (Continued…)
anna dangol
posted 2/20/09 @ 12:37 AM CST
i'm living in arlington tx. have been here in US as an intl student for three years...wud love to meet any host families, if any around arlington tx
arizona bankruptcy lawyer
posted 4/28/09 @ 1:05 AM CST
The international student exchange program has been terrific. We met an exchange student last year and several friends who hosted. A great thing to do. (Continued…)
Post a Comment