Families looking to immerse themselves in another culture might want to consider hosting a student from another country enrolled in the International Studies Program at Saint Edward’s School. Launched about six years ago, the program has grown from eight students in its first year to 34 this academic year; six of whom just graduated.
“We’re not trying to go higher than that,” said Mara Slattery, Director of International Admissions. “We try to keep it a certain percentage of the entire school body and balance it out in each grade.”
Some of the students, particularly the Chinese, come to the United States with the intention of attending high school and university here, whereas others come chiefly for the cultural experience. And while most enroll for the full year, students can also opt to stay just one semester.
“I much prefer a full year. By the time you get into a routine and things are going smoothly they leave. A full year makes a real connection,” says Rena Walker-Firat, whose family this year hosted Karol from Germany, enrolled in 10th grade. Their two daughters have already left the nest, but son Emil Firat just finished ninth grade, so the boys were close in age.
“The boys get along beautifully. Just beyond anything I’d expected. The first few weeks were very awkward for all of us. The boys circled around, sizing each other up. I just stepped back and let them work it out. It took about a month,” says Walker-Firat, who is very open to doing it again.
“Treat them like your own child from the very beginning,” is her advice to potential host families. “Don’t treat them like a guest. Your house rules are the rules. Think of them as just another kid at your house.”
As such, Karol was included in all their family activities – including holiday dinners, a wedding, a ski trip to Colorado, and the obligatory trip to Disney World.
“His family’s been over here; they’re just delightful,” she says. “And they’ve asked us to visit with them this summer in Europe.”
“I didn’t think it would be that great at first, but overall it was really nice. It’s like having a brother,” adds Emil.
“We have a lot of repeat families; a lot of people really enjoy it,” said Slattery, noting that there have been many lasting relationships. “It’s almost like they have a child for life; it’s created families for life. In today’s globally connected world I think it’s even a gift to the students here. It’s sort of a way to bring the world to them.”
Close to 60 current Saint Edward’s students have already volunteered to be part of a new Cultural Ambassador Program to facilitate the integration process; matching two American students to every international student.
“This person is sort of their ambassador to American culture and school culture,” says Slattery. “It helps students learn how to communicate and collaborate with people around the world.”
St. Edward’s high school social studies teacher and rowing coach Aaron Lee and wife Alexa hosted a student from Germany last year, and this year Francesco from Rome, Italy, spent his junior year with them. The family bond has been so strong, Francesco will return in August to spend his senior year here with them as well.
“Our approach is, here’s our family; come and be part of it,” says Lee. The couple has a daughter and son at the school, just finishing sixth and third grades respectively. “Here is a fairly chaotic, many moving parts American family. If you want to know what it’s like to be in America – here it is.”
This spring they were taking Francesco to the Richmond, VA, area to look at colleges and universities and visit a few sites. Francesco, who began rowing this year, will also attend a rowing camp there before heading back to Italy in July.
“I think that it’s really a great experience in general,” said Francesco, whose family visited at Christmas. “The best part was the fact that I really felt like it was my own family. I never got homesick. I always felt very good here.”
“In our case, we have had a very successful year with Francesco, and a less successful year with the prior student,” said Lee. “If you’re thinking about doing this you have to decide – do I have the space and energy for living with another teenager? You have the same sort of frustrations as with any 16-year-old, but also the same sorts of rewards. I am incredibly glad we did it; we’ll do it again. It has opened our eyes to a lot of different things. We’re thinking about our children doing it someday.”
Michele Sternberg, St. Edward’s Director of College Counseling, and her family hosted a Chinese girl last year and a Chinese boy this year – Zhenyu and JiaJia.
“The best part was gaining a daughter that I never had,” laughs Sternberg, whose three sons are 10, 13 and 15.
“I think all of us who first become host families are really nervous about bringing a stranger into their homes. But it’s worked out really well for us. The first girl immediately became part of the family; she treated the boys like real brothers,” says Sternberg. “The hardest part is getting used to a new person’s personality and their day-to-day routines. But truthfully that adjustment was very quick with both of them.”
Zhenyu returned for visits during school breaks from Leigh University and will spend a month this summer with them. JiaJia is off to Boston University in the fall, and has already requested a spot at the Thanksgiving table.
Home visits and background checks are required for all potential host families, but a St. Edward’s connection is not necessary. A stipend helps offset some of the costs involved. For more information call Slattery at 772-492-2278.
