Article Contributed on: 6/2/2009 10:42:47 AM
Shines have 20-year history of hosting foreign exchange students
When you ask the Shine family from here in Colorado why they have hosted an International student almost every summer for the past 20 years while raising 5 children, Richard, the host father, quickly explains, "We couldn't take our kids to other countries, so we decided to bring that experience to us."
He goes on to explain that this opportunity brings culture to their children that they couldn't provide elsewhere without traveling to many other countries. He also says that reading and watching programs about a country is one thing, but actually having a citizen from another country to share and discuss cultural likenesses and differences with is the next best thing to traveling there.
"The kids always have a fabulous time developing friendship and finding out about another culture and they don't even realize how educational of an experience it really is!" Richard, who is now a retired elementary teacher, comments.
Ricky Shine, the youngest son, is now 17 and is still very involved in the program.
"It's exciting to host a different student every year and get to know them. It is a very cool experience," Ricky says.
For Richard, the questions about whether to participate in the program were quickly dismissed.
"When we first started to think about hosting we were reluctant to take on a long-term commitment with five kids at home, but what we liked about this program is that it's only a few weeks long which is long enough to develop a bond with the students but not too long that it interferes with other activities and interests that our family is involved in," Richard explains. "We also liked the fact that the kids are going on field trips in the area to learn about Colorado and American culture."
"On the weeknights we get to enjoy dinner and talk with our student about what life is like in their country, or learn about them and their families while sharing our thoughts about our lives and sharing our American culture. On the weekends, we usually go visit a local attraction that interests our student and our family or we do activities that we would normally be doing in the summer such as camping, picnicking or attending sports events," he continued, "It is like vacationing right at home in such a unique way."
"We had a fabulous time on a remote camping trip with a student several years ago who had never been on a camping experience. Watching her expressions when we explained everything from the tent to the bathroom facilities - in this case behind a tree - was priceless!"
The Shine family still keeps in touch with many of their past students today. "International friendships are the real reward here at the end of the day," Richard thoughtfully adds, "Every year we get to have an impact on an International student's life experience while enriching our own family experiences."
If you would like to create an amazing experience and open your home to host a high school student from Spain then I want to hear from you!!
Contact: Nancy Bortz, Compass USA, Program Coordinator, at 303.539.9344 or Bortznancy1@msn.com.
Dates of Program: June 30-July 28, 2009. The program is phenomenal. I am waiting to hear from you.