(NEWSWIRE.NET — June 24, 2013) Las Vegas, NV – Just as there is no typical American family, ICES exchange students come from large cities and rural towns, small or extended families, and have a variety of interests and hobbies. Students are placed by ICES local representatives in approved host families who volunteer to provide room and board and the opportunity to become a part of the family and experience life in an American high school.
Expectations of students and potential host families vary and certainly change as relationships develop and grow, but what is most important is an open mind a safe and welcoming environment. The end result is an experience that enriches the life of an international student, as well as the host family, the local student body and community.
For example, the Stokes family in Midland, Texas (pictured below), who have hosted several students through ICES recently shared their experience in the ICES student newsletter. “One phone call on a Wednesday evening opened our lives and our family to a wonderful experience of hosting exchange students. We will never be the same, as our lives have become fuller and richer. I think our “foreign kids” would say the same!”
For more than two decades ICES has promoted a more peaceful world by advancing international awareness and cultural understanding to thousands of exchange students and American host families and communities. ICES has become a leader in the field of youth exchange due to years of hard work and quality service of the ICES staff. For more information about how to become an ICES host family or an ICES local representative, please call 1-800-344-3566 or visit www.icesusa.org.