The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Visiting International students aged 15 - 17 years old are seeking host families in the area for an academic year or semester. Exchange students from countries such as Brazil, Norway, China, and Germany become full members of their host family while learning their family’s traditions and sharing their own. It’s a great way to learn a new culture and add a little spark to your daily routine while promoting international diplomacy at a local level.

The sponsoring program is Forte International Exchange Association (FIEA), a non-profit organization who has offered the opportunity for academic and cultural exchange to international high school students who would like to come to the United States on a J-1 Visa since 2000.

Host Families can be married or single adults (25 years or older), with or without children. Host families can have children in the house or be empty nesters. Host Families reflect the diversity of American culture! In addition, Host Families provide a room/shared room, three meals a day and loving support, as well as a desire to share American culture and learn about a new one.

Host Families may select a student that best fits in with their own family. FIEA’s exchange students are some of the brightest: the criteria for their student selection includes qualifying their English and academic ability, maturity and flexibility, and a desire to promote cross-cultural understanding. All Forte students speak English, and bring their own money for personal expenses, and are fully medically insured.

To learn more about the possibility of becoming a host family please contact FIEA, Area Director, Tiffany Kanally at 509-979-2693 email at tiffanyk@forteexchange.org and visit us at www.forteexchange.org and click host families.