As many of you know we are hosting our second international exchange student this year. We have fallen in love with both of our students (they are literally like family to us) - Jolien from Holland last year, and Anders from Norway this year. But, this is very likely the last year we'll host a student :-(
Our lives just get more and more hectic as our kids continue to grow and become involved in more activities outside the home and I just don't know how we can continue to give these international students the attention they deserve during their year here in the U.S.
So we'll need to be "passing the baton" to another family next year (the ISE program has a very difficult time finding host families) and I thought I'd list some fabulous reasons you might consider hosting a student next year!!!
1) You make some fabulous new friends from across the globe. We not only love Anders and Jolien ... we love their families too. Seriously, these are some truly wonderful people!
2) Your knowledge of the cultures and histories of countries outside the U.S. grows exponentially each year and you acquire some really cool collectibles (thanks to the generosity of the students' families) ...such as my new collection of Dutch goods ...
... my new Norwegian troll (which scares Kyra half to death - admittedly, it kinda freaks me out too), and my Norwegian Santa & Mrs. Clause (bet you didn't know Norwegians are fond of trolls)....
... some fabulous one-of-a-kind ornaments from Norway (made by the skilled hands of Hilde, Anders' mom) ...
... and some whimsical handmade ornaments from Holland (my tree has so much charm this year with these additions)...
3) You'll have the opportunity to tease your taste buds with some tasty new treats from around the world. Our personal favorites ... the legendary Stroopwafel from the Netherlands (you must put this on you list of things to try before you leave this mortal life - my "Must Do" list includes eating a FRESH HOT Stroppwafel right there on the cobbled streets of Amsterdam)...
... Norwegian chocolate is also extraordinary ..... I don't think I can bear to go back to American chocolate...
4) Your kids will also be spoiled rotten by your newfound friends. Case in point - look at these fabulous headbands/earwarmers that Hilde made for the girls for Christmas.
5) And last BUT NOT LEAST, your student can be an absolute LIFESAVER. For example, I came home last night, mentally drained after an intense day at work, with one thing on my mind - LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY, LAUNDRY. You see, my laundry has been neglected this week because I have been lovin' on this little baby as she recovers from the tumble she took last weekend and I decided that laundry takes a backseat to NURTURING....
... but then I came home to this wonderful suprise ...
Jolien took care of all our laundry ... what an ANGEL! She also found a shirt that we can actually get over Kyra's cast - for those occasions when we go out in public and Kyra allows us to actually clothe her naked little body. Jolien has also been taking care of the dish washing duties before Per gets to them (Per does dishes - I do laundry). That Dutch Girl is definitely a KEEPER. We're not going to let her go home ... plus it's really entertaining to watch her torment Anders (as only a sister can do).So you really SHOULD consider hosting an international student next year. Sure you'll have some additional taxi duties after school but the program's benefits far outweigh the costs.
Just THINK ABOUT IT - you don't have to decide until later this summer. Then give me a shout and I can get you in touch with an ISE rep ;-) But be forewarned ... your lives will be forever changed by this experience!!! JUST DO IT...
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