Organization seeks host families for exchange students

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Northeast Ohio resident Darryl Anderson invites local families to “Share Your America” with a high-school exchange student from one of 70 European, South American, Asian or African countries during the upcoming school year.

Sponsored by PAX-Program of Academic Exchange, these students arrive in the U.S. in August.

PAX students are 15 to 18 years old, have studied English for at least three years, and are motivated to learn more about the U.S. by attending high school and living with a host family.

PAX students are eager to experience American activities – backyard barbecues, birthday celebrations and holidays – with their host families. They are covered by comprehensive medical insurance and have their own spending money for incidentals.

Volunteer host families provide PAX students with a bed, a quiet place to study, a seat at the dining table, a warm and supportive home environment and encouragement to engage in everyday American life.

With their exchange students, host families experience such activities through fresh eyes while also learning about the exchange student’s country and culture.

All types of families – single parents, young couples, retirees and parents with teenagers – may host.

Founded in 1990, PAX is a nonprofit educational organization and one of a select few U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program’s chosen to participate in its prestigious U.S. government-sponsored FLEX, YES and A-SMYLE programs.

Each year, more than 1,100 teenagers visit the U.S. as PAX exchange students. For information, call Anderson at 330-256-6127, or visit www.pax.org.