6-29-2023 10:39pm

Local Families Being Sought To Host High School Exchange Students

Beth Callahan Editor

STORY & PHOTOS CONTIBUTED BY ASSE International

WARREN COUNTY OHIO -- ASSE International Student Exchange Programs, in cooperation with area community high schools, is looking for local families to host boys and girls ages 15–18 for the next academic year. Students from all over the world, such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, and Ukraine, to name a few, have already received scholarships to study in the USA. All they need now is a place to call home for the school year.

ASSE is designated and supervised by the U.S. Department of State. Preparations are underway for the 2023-24 program year and the arrival of our new future leaders this Autumn. ASSE students come with an enthusiasm to practice their English and experience American culture -- food, sports, shopping, and more. They also love to share their own culture with their host families – who welcome them not as a guest, but as family members – giving both the students and families a rich cultural experience.

In addition, ASSE students have pocket money for personal expenses, along with health, accident, and liability insurance. ASSE students are selected for participation based on academics and good citizenship. Host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries, and personal interests.

ASSE’s top concern is the health of our host families, host communities, and exchange students. Even as the U.S. and many other countries continue to live under temporary stay-at-home orders, we would like to reassure you that these students will not travel unless it is considered safe to do so by the U.S. and foreign governmental agencies entrusted with public health and safety.

To become a host family, or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call Holly at 937-418-6779 or the ASSE Midwest Regional Office at 1-800-736-1760 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application.

There are many students to choose from, so begin the process of welcoming your new son or daughter into your family today!

Testimony from Holly Hawk:

Our older children moved out on their own and we had two extra bedrooms. We looked into foster care, but I do not think I could handle the agency taking a child away from me, so we tried hosting. Our first student was a dream daughter and we now understand what one school year here in the USA can do for an exchange student when they return home. Our biological children learn so much from this experience; they especially learn just how good they have it here in America. Now year after year, we continue to welcome a new exchange student and sometimes two exchange students into our home. Ten students later, we will soon welcome number eleven from France for the 2023-24 school year.