Are you fascinated by international cultures? As an AYA Local Coordinator, you can share America with the world by helping international exchange students come to the United States to live with American families and attend American high schools.
In our “Meet an AYA Local Coordinator” series, we look at the people behind the success of our exchange students. Today we hear from AYA Local Coordinator Tressa, who runs a cluster in Oregon, about her experience working with exchange students and host families.
Meet Tressa, AYA Local Coordinator for Oregon:
What does it mean to host an international exchange student?
Tressa: Hosting for me means that I get to learn not only about my culture but another culture. I’ve found so many similarities between the different cultures, the different countries, the different languages, religions. We’re all really the same people with some different twists in life and some different perspectives in life, and it’s really brought the world a lot closer for me.
How has hosting an international exchange student benefited you?
Tressa: Some of the benefits of hosting are just broadening our horizons. The world is a very big place, but yet it’s also a very small place. I’ve learned so much from the students, many different aspects of cooking, of looking at things, looking at things not just outside of our own country but looking at things deeper inside our own country. It’s really broadened my horizons, and I think it’s been able to broaden the horizons and the aspects of so many of the students that I’ve hosted. I hope that by doing this, the world becomes a much kinder place.
Anything you would like to say to future host families?
Tressa: For those of you considering hosting in the future, maybe you’re unsure, reach out, talk to some of the local coordinators, talk to some of the families. Meet or greet some of our exchange students that are here on the program now or that have been in the program before. Understand their perspective a little bit. You’re going to gain so much knowledge and so much appreciation, and you’re going to gain a loving family member.
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Interested in becoming an AYA Local Coordinator?
AYA is looking for passionate individuals like Tressa across the United States. Becoming a Local Coordinator is a rewarding opportunity to build your personal and professional network by providing support to international students, host families and your own community.
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