SOUTHEAST SEEKS HOST FAMILIES FOR STUDENTS

Tammy Gwaltney eagerly recruits area residents to serve as host families for international students who come to Cape Girardeau for Southeast Missouri State University's Intensive English Program.

Gwaltney works as an international student support specialist. Part of her job is to find host families for international students.

Currently, she is searching for area residents to serve as hosts for 32 Japanese students from Aichi University. The students, who are in the 18- to 20-year-old range, are enrolled in a five-week Intensive English course. The students -- 21 women and 11 men -- will be studying in Cape Girardeau from Feb. 13 through March 20.

Each student will be placed with a host person or family. The student will live in the home during his or her stay in Cape Girardeau.

So far, Gwaltney has lined up about 25 host families. She said anyone interested in hosting a student should contact her at (573) 651-2589.

An orientation session for host families is scheduled for Feb. 4 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Missouriana Room at the University Center.

Gwaltney said groups of international students attend the Intensive English Program at different times throughout the year. Typically, the students are enrolled in the course for five to eight weeks.

Living in people's homes is all part of the process of learning American culture, Gwaltney said. It is a two-way street. Host families also learn about other cultures.

"It is a wonderful cultural experience," she said.

Colleen Farrar couldn't agree more. Farrar and her husband, Carl, have hosted Japanese high-school and college students in their Cape Girardeau home for about 10 years.

"The first year, I think, is the hardest," Farrar said. But the Cape Girardeau realtor said she and her husband soon fell in love with having students living in their home.

Farrar doesn't speak Japanese. She relies on a dictionary when she and her visiting student can't communicate.

The American language can be confusing to international students, even those that know some English.

Farrar recalled the time that one Japanese student brought her a note from the university asking host parents to bring a dish. She said the student didn't understand that bringing a dish meant bringing food.

Farrar said there is satisfaction in having someone from another culture live in your home. "It just sort of broadens your view," she said.

Her home is near the university. Her visiting students have walked to campus.

"If the weather is very bad, of course, I take them. My hours are very flexible," Farrar said.

She and her husband make a point of taking their visiting student on outings to St. Louis and other places. "They shouldn't be just stuck here in Cape Girardeau," said Farrar.

The Farrar family is typical of many host families.

Gwaltney said host families take in international students again and again.

All of the Japanese students, who will be coming here in February, have studied English.

"They have different levels of speaking, writing and listening skills," she said.

The host families are reimbursed about $110 a week to cover additional expenses, such as food and transportation.

Host persons or families incorporate the international students into their regular home life. "You are not there to wait on them," said Gwaltney.

If the host family goes hiking on weekends, the international student is encouraged to join in.

Many of the students request to live with families with children.

The students and host families often forge strong friendships.

"These kids adopt you as a second family," said Gwaltney.