Monday Q&A: Foreign exchange student program looking for host families in Stanislaus County

Carol Berger and her family have hosted foreign exchange students from countries such as Germany, Thailand, Peru, Japan and Kazakhstan.

She says they’ve been able to learn a lot about other cultures while showing exchange students the life of Californians in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Berger hopes other families in Stanislaus County take the opportunity to invite an international student into their homes. “This is a wonderful experience for host families,” she said.

She has worked for more than 26 years as a local coordinator for student exchange programs. She recently joined the American Cultural Exchange Service. It provides international educational, cultural and sports exchange programs to people in the U.S. and around the world.

Berger is a volunteer local coordinator for the exchange service, finding host families in Stanislaus County. She works alongside her daughter, Susan Berger, who also is a local coordinator for the exchange service.

Can you tell us a little bit about what the American Cultural Exchange Service does in Stanislaus County and who it serves?

We place high school students, ages 16 and 17, with safe and loving host families. We serve all of this county. As a local coordinator, I can go up to 120 miles from where I live (to find host families).

Why are international programs so important to the education of the student participants?

International programs like American Cultural Exchange Service provide the students the opportunity to learn about American culture, our schools and families. By studying here, the international students have the opportunity to improve their English and take classes that will help them learn more about our country and culture. They’re required to take English, history or government, math and science classes. They also can choose a class or two that they don’t have a chance to take in their home country that they’re really interested in.

Why are international programs so important to the host families and cities?

International programs are important to host families because the host families will have the opportunity to learn about cultures that they may not have the opportunity to otherwise learn about. With the cities, they will have the opportunity to share their government and knowledge with the students. Students can attend city council meetings and learn about the city government and how it’s run.

For those students who studied in the Modesto area, which countries have they come from?

The previous exchange students who have studied in the Modesto area have come from China, Spain, Germany, Moldova and Italy, just to name a few.

What should a Modesto family expect if they decide to host an exchange student?

The host family provides room and board, which includes a bed for the student, a quiet study area and a place for the student to hang their clothes. The exchange student is expected to participate in the family’s activities and chores around the house, such as take out the garbage, load and unload the dishwasher, keep their rooms clean and do their own laundry.

Does the American Cultural Exchange Service help Modesto-area students find a place to study abroad? If so, which cities have they traveled to in the past?

Yes, if there are students who want to travel abroad, the American Cultural Student Exchange helps them in securing that opportunity. I’m not sure what countries participate. However, if there’s a student who is interested in going abroad, we can find this out. American Cultural Exchange Service supports the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship program for students who want to study abroad.

What happens when a local family decides to host an exchange student?

As local coordinators, we give the family a chance to choose the student they want, what country they’d like the student from and what activities they like doing. We then match the student with the family and present the student’s partial application for the family’s review. If the family likes the student, they’ll take the student. If not, it’s OK. We’ll keep trying until they find just the right match.

This story was originally published November 2, 2014 at 7:12 PM with the headline "Monday Q&A: Foreign exchange student program looking for host families in Stanislaus County."