Wooster Rotary is in need of host families
Wooster is just a dot on the map. Wherever you live, though, is home.
For a handful of international students from various points on the globe, the Wayne County seat is just that. And while maybe not glamorous to the rest of the world, it will serve its purpose as the host city for a year in the life of high school students looking to explore America.
All that’s needed is some volunteers. Alan Kiefer, president-elect of the Wooster Rotary, is hoping to find a few local residents willing to host or share hosting duties in the future, as students from abroad spend a year or so being educated in American schools.
Kiefer said one of the biggest concerns people have is safety. Letting a complete stranger, even a juvenile, into your house can be on the daunting side.
“The reality of it is it’s very safe,” Kiefer said. “The students are overseen and their guardians and Rotarians. When somebody goes to Germany or France or something like that, somebody’s going to find them a safe or good home. It’s a really productive year. The kids learn to stand on their own feet. They learn courage, and they learn to be self-sufficient.”
The exchange student program, be it U.S. students heading elsewhere or foreign youngsters coming to the States, took a blow of sorts five years ago during the pandemic. As Kiefer pointed out, people became wary of traveling.
He said the Wooster Rotary is still looking to send kids overseas and take in others.
“We have had as many as seven (leave), and we’ve had seven come in,” he said.
Another concern is the language barrier, but Kiefer said there won’t be one. The incoming students are all skilled English speakers, a requirement of the program.
The payoff for a host family is to get to spend some time with a top-notch student, maybe experience a bit of culture, and perhaps provide a roommate or new friend for their own kids.
“Interested host families are often young families with young kids,” Kiefer said. “It really helps color their perspective of another part of the world. My motivation is to open more homes in Wooster to these kids.”
Host families don’t have to be involved for an entire year. Students often are spread over multiple families throughout one school year, typically within close proximity.
“Those kids from other countries get to see how kids in the United States live,” Kiefer said. “We as a club try to take them to Niagara Falls.”
Kiefer said all exchange candidates are thoroughly vetted.
“The kids go through some grilling,” he said. “It’s a win-win.”
For more information about how to be a host family, email Kiefer at woorotary.kiefer2526@gmail.com.