Student Exchange From an Insider's Perspective: Studying Abroad with a Host Family

I recently sat down with Peg TenHoopen, Vice President for the Council for Educational Travel USA (CETUSA), an international student exchange program. Peg and I talked about the different facets of student exchange as well as what she sees as the future of this growing industry.

Peg first became interested in student exchange in 1981 when she was approached to host a student from Brazil. Peg and her family took Eduardo into their home and into their hearts. They would later host more students from Brazil as well as students from Yugoslavia and many other countries. In 1985, Peg and her husband made a trip to Brazil to see Eduardo and other students they had hosted. These students and their families welcomed Peg and her husband into their homes and treated them as family. Peg recalls how much they learned about Brazil and it's different communities by staying in homes versus a hotel. This visit inspired Peg and her husband to commit even more to student exchange.

In 1986, Peg and her family were preparing for their kids to go to college. Financially it was not feasible for them to host a student, so Peg continued her involvement by signing up as a Community Coordinator. Although different agencies have different titles for these community liaisons, these are individuals who are committed to finding and screening host families, and supervising the students throughout their stay. Peg served as a Community Coordinator for two years and was then promoted to Manager. Two years later she became a Regional Director and is now Vice President of the Academic Year Program for CETUSA.

When asked why one might want to become involved in student exchange, Peg talks about her own family. She says that she believes her work with student exchange has opened the hearts and minds of both her children and grandchildren. She says that because of their multi-cultural experiences, "they don't prejudge people based upon color or religion." Peg also believes that one day a former exchange student may be in a position to decide whether or not to declare war. She hopes that their experience in the United States, or their encounter with a fellow exchange student, might influence them to pursue peace instead of war.

No matter what exchange student program you decide to work with, there are many ways to become involved in student exchange. Parents can become involved by hosting a student or becoming a Community Liaison. Students can participate in an educational exchange (studying abroad) or a travel exchange. Many travel programs take students even if they do not know a foreign language.

Because we've all heard nightmare stories about student exchange, I asked Peg to share with me her worst experience(s). Peg says that no matter how hard you try, there are always students who cannot adapt to a new culture and/or adjust to being away from home. Although CETUSA and most other exchange student programs have counselors on staff to try and help with the transition, some students decide to return home without completing their dream of spending a year or half year in the United States. On the other hand Peg says that some of her most memorable experiences have been the students that were having a difficult time but later adjusted and successfully completed the program.

Peg states that many students, especially those from Asia, are desiring to spend 2-3 years studying in American high schools. She believes that the multi-year programs are the future of student exchange.