Bloomfield Hills Schools looks forward to welcoming Youth For Understanding exchange students once again this school year. Over the past three years alone, 42 YFU students have enriched our student bodies at Andover and Lahser while becoming a part of local host families--families not only with high school students, but also with students at all the District middle schools and elementaries. Younger children are some of the biggest beneficiaries of the program!
YFU is once again seeking loving Oakland County host families for these boys and girls who are checking their e-mail three times a day, waiting for word that they’ve been selected. You can see brief profiles of some available students at www.StudentProfiles.yfu.org or obtain more detailed profiles by calling Barb Kilkka at 248-932-0811.
Take a look at Melisa from Indonesia, an accomplished girl who looks forward to participating in theater, music, performance, and soccer. Or maybe you’ll choose Geonyi from Korea whose leadership skills, sense of humor and sports interests have made him a popular President of his Class. Or what about Rosa from Estonia or Kiki from the Netherlands, spirited girls with a soft spot for younger children? Ruben from Mexico wants to continue playing soccer and the flute, cooking, and being part of family activities.
All different kinds of families host successfully, with and without children at home, from senior citizens to young couples, large families to single persons, all economic and educational levels… They all share an interest in teens and other cultures. You can choose to host for the school year or to be a “welcome family,” helping your new child get off to a good start for the first 8-12 weeks. Hosting is a rewarding experience that creates lifelong connections. Host families say that the upside rewards can be absolutely huge---and worth putting another plate on the table or re-arranging the bedrooms/study/basement or whatever it’s going to take to make it happen. Hosting is real life, not running around to tourist attractions (though some of that may happen). It’s cooking dinner together, raking leaves on Saturday morning, school activities and homework, holiday preparations, some boring, rainy afternoons, the same long days of work, school, chores, family life, worship… but seen through the fresh eyes of someone new, it all takes on a new significance.
Families often rule themselves out because they work demanding hours or have no children at home or maybe have more limited financial resources. But many, many families (of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds) host successfully each year, facing those same realities and many more. It’s common sense parenting for the most part. Five volunteer area reps in the Bloomfield District work with the kids and the families on an ongoing basis to make sure it’s successful for all involved. The students bring their own spending money and health insurance.
Consider giving your children a ticket to the world by opening your hearts and home to a YFU exchange student. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 October 2008 )
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