INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS SUCCESSFUL FOR HOST FAMILIES

Several area families reap benefits while enjoying hosting high school students from the International Student Exchange Program of Iowa.

"The program is a real benefit all-around for everyone," said Lina Takacs, who helps place international students in area homes.

"The program is advantageous for families because they get to learn about a foreign culture," Takacs said. "It's wonderful for students because they get to improve their English."

Ardell Baughman of Perryville said it is interesting and enjoyable to have an exchange student in the home. He and his wife have hosted a different girl each school year for the past three years.

The first student came from Madrid, Spain, and the second from Monterey, Mexico. Last year the Baughmans hosted a girl from Germany.

"We've had some good rewards," Baughman said. "The girl from Germany was a junior at Perryville High School. She made the honor roll, was involved in band, and received an American history award. We were very proud of her."

Baughman said another reward came when the student from Germany wore a dress for the first time in her life to a homecoming dance.

"When she first came, she wanted to be a boy," he said. "We helped her become a little more lady-like."

Baughman said the host families have a much easier time adapting when the exchange student can speak English well. "One of our girls wasn't real good with English, which created some problems," he said.

Before students from another country can become an exchange student for an entire school year they must have taken at least four years of a foreign language, Takacs said.

"Students must get good grades at all times," Takacs said. "They don't come for a vacation. This is not a sight-seeing program. Students come to learn more about family life in America, not to travel around the world."

Hosting an exchange student involves no extra cost for the family, Takacs said. Families must provide room and board and loving care, she said.

Students come with their own pocket money for personal needs and are fully insured, she said.

"We are trying to locate some families in warm, hospitable homes open to the idea of a foreign exchange student living with them," Takacs said.

"The families don't have to prepare fancy meals; they should just accept the student as a far-away nephew or niece coming to visit."

Takacs said host families very rarely have a bad experience and rarely regret the decision to have an exchange student. "Some students do misbehave and we have to send them back home," Takacs said, "but that almost never happens."

She said families who host one student often want to repeat the experience and host others from different countries.

"Exchange students often come back and visit, which helps to create links and establish a good relationship for a long time," Takacs said.

Baughman said most of the exchange students try to keep in touch with the host family. "It is a lasting relationship," he said. "Our past students usually correspond once or twice a year."

Several area families have signed up to host exchange students this fall, Takacs said.

Paula Horrell of Chaffee said she and her husband are hosting Claire Chauchadis from France, who will arrive in August. The Horrells are a first-time host family.

"We have four children of our own," Horrell said, "and we wanted to expose them to a new language and culture. We thought Claire would be a positive influence on our kids.

"Also, my husband loves kids, and we thought we'd rather be involved in the exchange program than be foster parents."

Horrell said Claire speaks English, Spanish and French, and wants to improve her language skills in order to become a foreign language teacher. She will go to Scott City High School.

"We wanted a student who would be helpful to the school system," Horrell said. "The exchange company sent a listing of all French and Spanish students with a brief summary and picture.

"Then, once we became interested in a student, they sent us a full description," she said.

At least one member of the family writes Claire every week, Horrell said.

"She will be treated as a daughter," Horrell said. "Our family is positively looking forward to the experience, and we're going to try our best."

Takacs said the International Student Exchange of Iowa also arranges for American students to visit foreign countries. However, in order for an American student to go for an entire school year, they must have taken four years of foreign language. If they go during the summer term, they must have at least two years of foreign language.

"Not as many American students join this program because the American school system doesn't require students to take several years of a foreign language," Takacs said. "This limits the number of American candidates."

In the past five years, about 10 or 15 students have gone from America to a foreign country with the exchange program, she said.

In order to participate in the program for an entire school year, students must be 15-18 years old. It is a 10-month program and lasts from Aug. 21 until the end of the school year in June.

The age limit for the summer program is 13-18. There are two sessions a month long. The first batch of students stay from June 27 until July 25; the second group from July 25 until Aug. 22.

The International Student Exchange of Iowa program is nationwide, Takacs said, but the majority of the participants are in the Midwest.

"I encourage families to apply for an exchange student," Takacs said. "They will be willing to share their own culture, ideas, habits and customs in the host school and community.

"Also, the students will be ready to give as much as to receive, and will be anxious to strike a lifelong friendship."

For more information, contact Imre or Lina Takacs, 1600 Burnside Lane, St. Charles, Mo., 63303, or call 1-800-356-9365.