Mutual rewards abound in homestay/host family programs

The Homestay and Host Family Programs, coordinated by Nancy Purcell, reported another successful year of bringing ELI students and American families together, with the number of homestay families growing to 120.

Whether participating in the Homestay program, in which an international student lives with an American family, or the Host Family program, in which a student is invited occasionally to an American family's home, many students agree that their lives have been truly enriched by the experience.

“My homestay family gives me a home away from home,” said Juan Carlos Holguin, from Colombia. “They’re great! I love them!”

Highlights of the year included two very successful picnics at the White Clay Creek State Park where homestay families, host families and ELI students enjoyed playing baseball, volleyball, horseshoes and just getting to know each other. In addition, some students went on short vacations with their families, combing the beaches of Delaware and North Carolina and visiting Niagara Falls in upstate New York.

For more information about the Homestay or Host Family Program, contact Nancy Purcell at rtp3@aol.com.