Nineteen French Students Traveling To Newtown In August Need Host Families
Nineteen French Students Traveling To Newtown In August Need Host Families
A group of 19 French students set to visit to Newtown to study English for 18 days, starting August 2, are still in need of host families.
The students are traveling with the nonprofit group EF (Education First) Educational Homestay Programs, a program offering foreign language and cultural exchange programs worldwide. Educational Homestay Programs have been arranging group travel for international students to select cities in the United States since 1979, according to EF.
âWe have already placed ten students with wonderful host families,â said Nan Jane Keough, a Newtown resident and group leader with EF Educational Homestay Programs who is working to place students with host families in the Newtown area. âUnfortunately, we have 15 students who do not have host families yet.â
âWe need to have all 25 students placed with families by July 20,â said Ms Keough. âArea Manager Janet Forbes has been so helpful in getting the word out in the high school community in Newtown. We have groups of students who are interested in foreign language and culture who are hosting â it is an ideal way to experience another culture from home.â
The program also invites teenagers in host families to join the group on the field trips around the area.
âThe American teens are welcome to be the âEnglish speakingâ friend to our students,â said Ms Keough. âIt gives the host family children the opportunity to make friendships with other exchange students and have an enriching summer experience.â
This is the first time Educational Homestay Programs has arranged an exchange in the Newtown area, and, Ms Keough said, Newtown was chosen because Matt Smith, president of operations for Educational Homestay Programs, is a Connecticut native who wanted to bring students to the Newtown.
âThis is such a great way for local kids to learn and have fun this summer,â said Ms Keough. âItâs a small time commitment since students are with EF staff Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. We really just need caring families to welcome a student into their home and set another spot at the table for two-and-a-half weeks.â
According to Ms Keough, host families can be families with children, single people, empty nesters, or anyone interested.
âAll of their transportation to and from Newtown is handled,â said Ms Keough. âSo hosts just need to be sure that the students can get to Edmond Town Hall in the morning, and home in the evening and we take care of them Monday through Friday.â
The students range in age from 14 to 18. The students will be studying English at Edmond Town Hall in the mornings and taking field trips every afternoon.
âThe field trips include Yale, the Maritime Aquarium, Lake Compounce, and the Peabody Museum,â said Ms Keough. âWe are very excited to visit New York City and students will even get to see a show.â
Ms Keough said the group of families already involved in the program have been wonderful so far, but more are needed to help provide the students a place to stay during their visit to Newtown.
A party to welcome the students is set for the first day of their stay, and all of the families will be invited to the event.
For more information or to host a child contact Nan Jane Keough at 203-470-3443 or e-mail her at njkeough@aol.com.