[NEohioPAL] French teens need World Exchange homes July 31 - August 19

[Mary L. Davis]

Copied from a post on the Lakewood Community Facebook page:

“They’re coming to America”

So sang Neil Diamond evoking the sheer joy of arriving in a vibrant country, a
dream destination full of possibility and hope…

Today, on the European side of the Atlantic Ocean there is waning interest
among tourists, exchange students and university applicants in coming to the
USA. Impressions of life in America aren’t as rosy as they once were. And
yet there are still many excited French teenagers who signed up eagerly this
spring, thrilled to come here to experience the American way of family life by
participating in World Exchange’s “Invite the World Home” 20-day
program, July 31st – August 19th.

On this side of the Atlantic, finding those special families for whom hosting
would be an adventure has never been easy but this year it’s particularly
challenging. World Exchange local program director, Jill Werling Quinn of Avon
Lake Ohio, has been reaching out since March but to date 11 of her 16 French
students have homes in the Cleveland to go to.

Jill will meet with each family to provide orientation and support. She will
organize two day-trips and a party/picnic. The rest of the time host families
will be free to make their own plans to take their student to the beach, to
camp, to work, to the supermarket – to participate in whatever their family
normally does during July. The French teens look forward to practicing their
English, trying their hand at baseball, eating barbecued hot dogs and
hamburgers, exploring, playing video and board games. Here are a few in need
of host families

Louis is 17 and comes from a a daredevil family who enjoys kite surfing, motor
bikes water sports and fishing.
Julien D is 16 and is a good student who enjoys school and video games but
also like to surf and go to the beach.
Malo is 13 and LOVES everything american and has been learning about it and
practicing his English skill for many years. And love American he loves
basketball
Kilian is 15 and likes animals especially dogs and cats. He loves outdoor
activities like surfing and swimming plus fishing and enjoys cars
Arnaud is 17 and enjoys basketball, food, traveling and American movies

Profiles of the students, as well as detailed letters of introduction can be
seen in full after contacting Jill Werling Quinn at Georgee182 at gmail.com or
440-653-1564.

To see a short video on what it’s like to experience hosting, visit
www.worldexchange.org.

Thank you!