Homestay/host family programs: Bigger than ever

Surfing isn’t on the curriculum at ELI, but a couple of lucky students got a surfing lesson in southern California. Dong Woo Kang and Humberto Avila were taken by homestay parents Lisa and Rick Tallman to San Diego and Los Angeles as part of a family trip in June 2005.

Surf's up for Dong Woo Kang (Korea), Humberto Avila (Colombia), and Homestay father Rick Tallman.

Students from all over the world credit a large part of their unforgettable experience at ELI to the Homestay and Host Family programs. Under the careful direction of Nancy Purcell, the Homestay program has grown during one of its busiest years since it began in 1983.

“The number of students living with American families has doubled since January 2005,” reported Purcell.

“We’re now averaging 90 to 100 students per session, and many new families are joining on a regular basis.”

Summer session proved to be particularly busy, with special programs from Jordan, Morocco and Japan.

"Just when we despaired of finding enough families to house the 82 students, employees from the DuPont Company stepped in and volunteered their hearts and homes,” said Purcell.

The Host Family program, in which students are “adopted” by American families for occasional gettogethers on the weekends and for special events, has also experienced growth this year. Due to the increased number of students enrolled at ELI, the Host Family program has enlisted the help of Karen Hale to help coordinate in planning and logistics. Hale organized a Host Family picnic at White Clay Creek Park in partnership with Nonie Bell, who leads discussion groups with graduate students at the University of Delaware.

“This is just one more example of the many ways the Homestay and Host Family programs bring Americans and international students together,” said Purcell. For more information about the Homestay or Host Family Program, contact Nancy Purcell at rtp3@aol.com or visit www.udel.edu/eli/homestay