Tehachapi News

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“Looking for things to do this summer? How about becoming a host family for a French exchange student? There will be lots of things to do! Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, river rafting, a Jethawks baseball game, a tour of Hollywood, and a trip to Santa Monica beach, to name a few activities that are planned while the French foreign exchange students are here,” said Sue Sampley, Local Coordinator with Horizons du Monde, an agency that works with the French government specializing in arranging for French teenagers, ages 14-18, to come to the United States to learn about American culture by living with American families.
Hosting an exchange student doesn’t take a lot of money or time. In fact, the program is designed to cost very little for the host family. Students can share a room with siblings, or use a guest room. As long as students have their own bed, families of all shapes and sizes can take part in this fun and exciting program this summer and become a host family! 
Families can also participate in the scheduled activities at the greatly-reduced group rates.
“It’s exciting to have someone new around the house, and you don’t even have to know how to speak French!” says Amanda Knight, whose family has signed up to be a host family.
Tyler Wilson thought, “It wouldn’t be very fun not knowing them, but it turned out to be so much fun, that we invited Karoline from last year to stay with us again this summer!”
The Gustasons are looking forward to their student to arrive on July 9 and have already begun sorting through family pictures to send ahead for their student to get to know them.
“This is a great opportunity for working parents as their kids get to go on some great trips,” says Sue. “The students will be arriving July 9, and staying three weeks through July 29... With our deadline fast approaching, the need to place them into host family homes is soon. Bring a whole new world into your home!”
For more information, contact Sue Sampley at 823-1502 or emailme@lightspeed.net.