High School AFS Chapter Seeks Host Families

By Jeff White

Though the lid has not been closed on this school year, the Newtown High School chapter of the American Field Service (AFS) is already thinking about next year; they need willing Newtown families to host foreign exchange students.

“We’re looking for a family willing to learn about another culture, willing to show an exchange student popular places [in the area], and willing to take them to community events,” says teacher Linda Van Tassell, the AFS advisor at the high school.

“We realize it is very difficult to get host families,” she adds as a way of explanation for beginning the search well in advance for next fall.

For one thing, Newtown High School does not know what exchange students it will be getting until host families are found. If only one Newtown family can open their home, only one exchange student will make the journey.

On average, the high school hosts one to two exchange students each year.

Although families are not paid for hosting an exchange student, they do have some say as to the type of student they take in. Families can choose a country of origin, and they are given a portfolio of eligible students from which they can pick.

AFS does provide some financial aid, transportation and organized activities for the exchange student.

The commitment would be for nine months, starting close to the beginning of September.

As difficult as it may be to open up a family to a new member, the rewards are echoed from those participating in AFS hosting program.

Colleen Glaser, a senior, is the “host sister” for Inge Hilberts, a Dutch exchange student who has been attending the high school this year. Colleen suggested it to her parents, knowing that since her sister was off at college there would be space in the house. Though she admits it was an adjustment, she says it was worth it.

“It’s hard sharing your parents with somebody, but you get used to it,” she explains. “It’s a really cool experience. You learn a lot about the culture, and I’m just so used to [Inge] being there.”

The AFS exchange program, which matches students from 50 countries to host families throughout the United States each year, is the only such program recognized by the high school.

Mrs Van Tassell says that anyone interested in opening the doors of their homes to a student from another country should contact her at the high school at 426-7646.

Over the summer, interested families can volunteer by calling the high school’s guidance office, and those seeking more information can visit the program’s homepage at www.afs.org.