Host Families Sought For Pacific Intercultural Exchange

Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE) is seeking Fairfield County-area host families to open their homes to students’ ages 15 to 18 interested in pursuing new experiences in America.

 The students are English-speaking, possess their own spending money, carry accident and health insurance, and are eager to share their cultural experiences with their new American families.

PIE has programs to match almost every family’s needs, ranging in length from a semester to a full academic year. Students will attend local high schools.

PIE representatives match students with host families by finding common interests and lifestyles through an informal in-home meeting. Prospective host families are able to review student applications and select the perfect match. As there are no “typical” host families, PIE can fit a student into just about any situation, whether hosts are single parents, a childless couple, a retired couple, or a large family.

Families who host for PIE are also eligible to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they hose a sponsored student.

PIE has students from a range of countries including Germany, the former Soviet Union, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Ghana, Australia, Paraguay, Mexico, Italy, and Belgium.

The agency also has travel/study program opportunities for American high school students as well as possibilities for community volunteers to assist and work with area host families, students, and schools.

Prospective families are encouraged to call PIE at ,800-631-1818.