[Waverunner]

We would like to share an opportunity with you to host an international student, coming to The Villages this summer, that is part of the EF Language Travel Program. The boys and girls are ages 14-17, and will be coming for 3-1/2 weeks. A total of 38 students are visiting. 20 students from Spain come June 29-July 24 and 14 students from France come July 6-July 31.

The students desire to improve their English language skills while experiencing American family life first hand. Many of these students have dreamed their entire life of coming the the United States. They have studied English in school and are eager to spend their summer learning first-hand about our family life, culture, and community.

The host family provides a bed, transportation to the bus stop (at Hope Lutheran Church @ 466 and Morse), meals, and a warm loving environment. The students are fully insured and bring their own spending money.

During the week, EF students will join you and visit places of interest around The Villages. Host families may plan activities together for the students and arrange car pooling. The students will attend planned educational/cultural bi-weekly activities (without the hosts), on Monday and Thursday from 9am to 6pm, which are planned, scheduled, and supervised by the local Program Leader. (This is the drop off at the bus stop.)

EF Educational Homestay Programs, a nonprofit division of Education First has students coming to FL, NY, Washington, DC, and California to experience American life.

They need to have host families in place by the end of May. The Program Director schedules a home visit with you (to see where the student will be housed), and there is a short one page application, another on-line application for a back ground check, and they require four personal references. There is an orientation meeting for host family volunteers June 1st from 3-5 PM at the Pinellas Library. My husband and I are planning to participate. They are currently looking for about 10 more host families. This will be the first time we are volunteering.

Other info that we know:
- You can host two students, if you have two separate beds. The students must be from different countries so they can practice their English. This is a longer commitment because of the different timing - but you will have one student alone for the first week and one student alone for the last week.
- There is a need for a pet free environment (allergies to cats and dogs) for a 15 yr. old girl
- There is an optional Disney 3 Day Trip (July 15, 16, 17). You can ask your student if he/she plans to go. Optional Disney trip provided by students through EF. Last year 85% attended.
- They provide profiles of the students for you to choose from
- Many host families plan activities for the students together, i.e. birthday celebrations, renting out swimming pools, town square dancing, etc., including car pooling, so it is not an undue burden trying to entertain teens for 3-1/2 weeks.

If you are able to welcome a student (or two) into your home for 3-1/2 weeks, please contact Yulia Wilson at 352 561 4128 (Village of Bonita) or PM me. Feel free to pass this information on to your other friends in The Villages.

Thanks!

[Waverunner]

They are now looking for eight families to host the students. If you will be in The Villages in July, please consider participating in this worthy adventure!