BRATTLEBORO — Housing international students has been an easy way for Americans to connect with the international community for decades, but one must wonder: Why, exactly, do families in the States want to open their houses to someone who is a complete stranger?
Why would a student want to stay with a family about whom they know nothing?
And, when the program is over, what does one really gain?
The Program of Academic Exchange (PAX), Brattleboro's local exchange program, is one of nearly a dozen exchange programs across the nation. They work together with the host families and international students, ages ranging from 15 to 18, to try to answer these questions.
So, what's in it for the families? And how do they get involved in the first place?
This is done in a number of ways. The most common route for interested host families is to apply via the application on the PAX website.
Ann Newsmith, local PAX coordinator, elaborates on why families are so intrigued by this opportunity.
“A woman I recently talked to in the program said it best: 'We want to show our children the world, but we can't afford to take them there; this is our way to do so.'”
The international students have more personal reasons for choosing to study abroad at such a young age.
“By going outside their comfort zone so young, [PAX students] learn a lot about themselves,” said Newsmith. “They acquire maturity and independence they wouldn't get otherwise. There is also the appeal of being totally immersed in a new culture. Often, these students will become cheerleaders or join the basketball team; they really want to learn what it means to be an American.”
Another PAX program, the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, intends to bridge the gap between internal and international growth.
Started as a response to the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the YES program focuses on bringing students from Middle East countries in close contact with Americans to promote citizen diplomacy.
“These students are seen as the future leaders of their home countries,” Newsmith says. “They leave informed on the workings of the American government and the lifestyles of regular Americans through the friendships they form. From what they learn in America, it is believed they will have a strong influence on their home communities.”
Though YES program is still in its infancy, the U.S. State Department is working to spur its growth.
“This the second year American kids can enter the YES program. The State Department funds the students from airfare to living expenses; all the kids need is motivation. The hope is, through the YES program, we will be able to see past the current political conflict and connect with regular people around the world.”
But PAX is still feeling the effects of the recession.
“It has definitely been harder to find host families in the past few years,” Newsworth explains. “Families feel they can't make the stretch. A lot of people don't realize that the only expense is feeding another person; the PAX students have their own spending money.”
Newsmith believes the long-term benefits outweigh the cost, however.
“There are about 25 international students in and around Brattleboro right now, of which five are YES students. They become a 'sub-UN council' right here in Windham County, with friends from around 15 different countries so close by.”
The students enjoy a sense of international solidarity. Though the students are young and from varying parts of the world, they become very close with one another. Connections on this scale, this early in life, will help shape the students' international perspectives, Newsmith says.
The host families also feel this connection.
“Once a host family has an international 'daughter' or 'son' stay with them, they really do become part of the family. People often visit their friends in their home countries. These students make life-long friends,” she says.
PAX is currently seeking host families in the Windham County area.
To learn more about the program and how to become involved, contact Newsmith at 802-257-4710 or by e-mail (Annn@pax.org).