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@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!