Host a Foreign Exchange Student for WACO
WACO has been fortunate to host numerous exchange students over the years. If you, or someone you know may be interested in opening your home to an exchange student please view the links below for one of the exchange student organizations. Experience a new culture with a student and your family. A life long relationship.
Here is what one family says about their experience:
World Link host mom Amy Andreassen from Iowa. Her and her family hosting Moustpha Kebe from Senegal for the 15-16 academic year:
"Greetings from Iowa! We are the Andreassens - Brant, Amy, Grace (17), Cooper (14), Whit (9), and the newest member of our family Moustapha (16). I can't put into words the joy that hosting a World Link exchange student has brought into our lives. We have learned a tremendous amount from Moustapha - as much as he's learned from us. I really didn't anticipate how close Moustapha and Cooper would get over the school year. They are two peas in a pod - never one without the other and the bond between Cooper and Moustapha is truly that as brothers. It's been utterly amazing. If they have accomplished nothing else this year - I can say with certainty that they've spread the message of love, kindness, compassion, understanding, and tolerance in our small community and surrounding area!"
Forte International Exchange Association host family mother writes:
"Hosting exchange students has changed my heart and soul. When facing an empty nest in my own home and not being ready to hang up my “mom” shingle, a friend suggested I look into hosting exchange students. Since that time, I boast that I have 4 amazing exchange daughters from different parts of the world, with international families that have added my family to their hearts. It became very obvious to me when I saw our life from their eyes, that this was a rewarding opportunity for us to learn about the world and we were excited to share more and more of our world. Here in Iowa we take our surroundings for granted but let me tell you, when you pick up a student from the airport and they see IOWA for the first time and the words out of their mouths…”IT IS SO GREEN”….the pride in your state grows and glows inside you. There many be failed stories about “the bad exchange student” or “the bad host family” and I know that fear is real. Forte International provides supervisors (which I am one) that works directly with the student and the host family monthly( or more often if needed), to make sure that statement does not represent anyones experiences as a host family or visiting student. Everyone deserves to have an amazing experience and Forte International works hard for that to happen! Give us a call and we will be able to discuss any questions and provide information about the process of becoming a host family."
Forte International Exchange Association
7115 Leesburg Pike, Suite 217
Falls Church, VA 22043
Tricia Wheeler
Cell 319 899-0426
Toll Free: 888-866-6869
Phone: 703-237-1688
Fax: 703-237-0889
International Student Exchange Program
Do you want to make a difference? Why not host a foreign exchange student. International Student Exchange has foreign students who wish to live and study in the United States. The experience of hosting a young adult from a foreign country is extremely rewarding for the family as well as the community and school. We need caring families who will open their homes and be ambassadors for our country. It is an extraordinary opportunity to experience another culture which can lead to life-long friendships. If you might be interested in hosting an exchange student, please contact either the high school principal or the ISE local representative.
Ken Madden (319) 931-1444 or email:Ken.madden1@yahoo.com to discuss this opportunity.