Student exchange program brings international teens to Northeast Ohio

by Wendy Turrell

Foreign students from all over the world have participated in the International Student Exchange, staying in American host homes for a semester or a year while they attend a U.S. high school. Some of these students have experienced America right in Bath Township.

ISE is a nonprofit designated by the U.S. Department of State for the purpose of cultural enrichment and public diplomacy. The group also places U.S. students with host families in foreign countries.

Karen Hamilton is the area representative for ISE. She screens applications from potential host families, educates them on what to expect, matches foreign students with host families and keeps in contact with participants to make the experience positive for both sides. 

Hamilton has a personal interest in foreign exchange programs after becoming close friends with a German exchange student when they were both students at Highland High School 36 years ago. Hamilton said she and her German friend have made frequent visits to each other’s countries over the years, and their children have become second-generation friends.

Basic requirements to be an ISE host family are to provide a room, three meals a day, a place to study and transportation to and from school and school-related activities.

“Host families can expect to welcome a new person into their home and treat them as a member of the family, not a guest,” said Hamilton. “Families can expect to learn about a new culture, language, foods, traditions, hobbies and ways of life, in addition to sharing the American way of life with their student.”

Several Bath families have participated in the ISE program and there is no particular profile required to host. 

Mary Primrose and her husband Mike were empty nesters. Mary said, “We never expected this adventure to truly add another permanent member to our family. We did this on a whim after answering a plea on Facebook from Karen Hamilton looking for a host family.”

Mary and her husband had the ability to take their French guest, Cassydie, on several trips. They went on a camping trip to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan; visited relatives in Washington, D.C. and Vermont; visited the Primrose’s daughter in Yellowstone; and even traveled to Alaska together. 

The couple relished having another “daughter to spoil,” said Mary, since their three children are grown and married. “I even got the experience again of helping a daughter shop for a prom dress,” she said. “We never expected to gel so well. She taught us so much more than we taught her.” 

Mary said becoming a host family was the best thing she and her husband did. “Since Cassydie’s school year ended, we have visited her whole family in Normandy at Christmas, and she has come back here to stay with her boyfriend for a week,” she said. “She truly is just another member of our family living in France instead of the U.S.”

Hosts are not required to provide the travel experiences the Primrose family did. Hamilton said many foreign students have expectations based on U.S. movies. They are excited to take part in commonplace things like prom and football games. 

“They don’t expect big trips and often find great fun in the small things, like bonfires, watching movies with their host family and new friends, having sleepovers, and going to the mall,” said Hamilton.

April Underwood, whose family hosted Pedro from Brazil, was surprised at how bilingual other countries are. “Our exchange student learned English from watching movies … and he could speak and read three separate languages,” she said.

Underwood said Pedro was what American families would consider “catered to” in his home. “He was surprised when my kids could cook meals, do laundry, etc. He became much more independent here,” she said, adding that treating him as a member of the family was a growing experience for him.

The Bowman/McClellan family has two daughters, two and four years younger than their Thai exchange student Ming. Jane McClellan said she and her husband wanted an age difference so one of their children wasn’t the student’s primary social support. Ming made many friends at school, and shared a room at home with one of the girls. Ming and her younger “sisters” enjoyed doing things like cooking Thai dishes. 

McClellan said, “Our girls learned a lot from observing and interacting closely with a person from another culture.” She said hosting for an entire year was a “significant commitment.” However, “It was a very positive experience for our family.” 

Once Ming went back to Thailand, the family stayed in touch through social media, and Ming visited them again over Memorial Day, when she returned to the U.S for a summer job.

Since her children had not yet reached that age, navigating the high school system was a learning experience for McClellan. Her advice to potential host families? “As soon as you learn you are hosting a student, create close connections to the school, counselors and teachers, because these non-native English speakers may need additional supports they won’t automatically receive.” She also said starting by hosting for a semester might be more manageable at first.Hamilton can answer questions about the program at 330-328-9943 or [email protected]. More information is also available at iseusa.org.

Photo caption: Several Bath families have hosted international exchange students. The Bowman/McClellan family (clockwise from top left) Jamieson Bowman, exchange student Ming Onchamphang, Jane McClellan, Clara Bowman and Maggie Bowman have fun among inner tubes. During a trip to Alaska, Cassydie Jacqueline stands in the water with her host Michael Primrose. Pedro Tavares (l) stayed with host parents April and Trace Underwood while visiting from Brazil. Photos submitted.