Posts Tagged ‘Families’
April 6, 2013 | 
Author Ayusa Looking for American Families to Host Exchange Students in Texas
(PRWEB) April 02, 2013
Ayusa International, a 30-year-old non-profit organization that promotes global learning and leadership through cultural exchange and leadership programs for high school students, is looking for American families in Texas interested in hosting an exchange student for the 2013-2014 school year.
Ayusa is specifically looking for Texas host families in the following communities:
San Antonio
Houston, Austin, Dallas
Northeast Texas: Tyler, Longview/Marshall, Clarkesville, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, Paris and Texarkana, Nacogdoches/Lufkin area, Jacksonville and Palestine
“While growing up, my parents hosted exchange students, and my siblings and I developed a wonderfully broad view of our world and the many cultures in it – exactly what I wanted to offer my daughters,” says host Lisa Atkins, an Ayusa host parent in San Antonio. “Our student, Michelle Maehler from Germany, has been a delight: we all love to discuss the similarities and differences in our respective cultures, and the girls have had loads of fun baking desserts out of Michelle’s German cookbook. The bonus we’ve received this year is that my daughters now feel like they have an older sister; that in itself is reason enough to host an exchange student.”
Ayusa welcomes all interested families who would like to host an international exchange student including families without children, empty nesters, military families, retirees, and single people. Ayusa families come from all over the U.S., including both rural and urban communities. Host families provide three meals a day and a bedroom (either private or shared). Each student is supported by a professionally trained local representative from Ayusa who works with the family, student and local school for the entire program.
How to Host a Foreign Exchange Student
Texas families interested in hosting an exchange student with Ayusa can follow three simple steps.
Step One: View information online about Ayusa students including their age, country of origin, hobbies, and essays to their future host families, to decide which student will be a good fit for your family.
Step Two: Complete your Ayusa online hosting application. You will be provided a list of questions about your family and local high school, asked for five references, and requested to sign a program agreement. An Ayusa representative can help you complete the application, answer any questions, and connect you with other host families in your community.
Step Three: Once your application is submitted, an Ayusa representative will work with you to complete the additional hosting requirements – a criminal background check and in-home interview with an Ayusa representative. Once you are an approved host family, you may login to select your student. Your Ayusa representative can also help you find a student to match your family’s interests and activities.
Ayusa’s exchange students are 15-18 years old and come from more than 60 countries around the world, including Brazil, Japan, Germany, Ecuador, France, Peru, Morocco, China, and Spain. All students are fully insured, bring their own spending money, and are proficient in English.
“Host families in Texas are known for their Southern hospitality and love sharing the rich history and lore of the Lone Star State with international students,” said Connie Coutu, Ayusa regional manager in Texas. “Hosting an exchange student also provides Texas families the chance to learn about other cultures around the globe, without ever leaving their local community. If you’ve ever thought about sharing your America with an international student, don’t hesitate – please give us a call to start building an international friendship that will last a lifetime!”
According to The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), more than 27,000 international high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 years old studied in the U.S. during 2011-2012 as part of U.S. government-sponsored international exchange programs. Ayusa has been a member CSIET for more than 25 years – since its foundation. CSIET evaluates U.S.-based high school exchange programs so that students, families and schools can identify reputable inbound and outbound exchange organizations.
Ayusa is a 501(c)3, and an official U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor. Families interested in learning more about hosting a foreign exchange student can visit http://www.ayusa.org or call 1-888-552-9872.
About Ayusa
Ayusa International (http://www.ayusa.org) is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to promote global learning and leadership through cultural exchange and leadership programs for high school students from the U.S. and around the world. In addition, Ayusa administers multiple high profile grant programs funded by the U.S. Department of State and other organizations. Ayusa is a sister company of Intrax, a family of organizations that provide a lifetime of high-quality educational, work and volunteer programs that connect people and cultures. Intrax is headquartered in San Francisco with offices on four continents.
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Posted in Foreign Exchange | 
Tags: American, Ayusa, Exchange, Families, Host, Looking, Students, Texas | 
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New Lessons for Moving Families by Naftali Feig
Cleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) June 12, 2012
When looking at a possible new homeland you must consider every aspect of your new life and compare it to your current life. If there are more negatives than positives regarding your potential new life overseas, than you should reconsider the move.
According to research gathered by numerous polls regarding the challenges of moving abroad, many consider the cost of living and finances a major hurdle. Certain aspects of your life overseas will be cheaper than your current situation, and vise versa. It is the ability to compare the relative cost of living in your current situation to your potential country that can show whether or not your finances can survive the move.
Those deciding to move abroad may struggle with loneliness associated to new surroundings, new experiences, and even new employment opportunities. Oftentimes, families feel lonely in a foreign land and climate until they become adjusted socially.
“My kids were lonely in the beginning,” said Naftali Feig. “It took us all a fair amount of time until we felt acclimated.”
Naftali Feig, a native Israeli resident, moved to the United States with his family when he was seven years old. While living in the United States, Naftali Feig attended various American schools and educational establishments. He eventually met his wife and together they began raising their three children in the U.S. Yet recently, the couple decided to move abroad, to Israel.
“I wanted to provide my family with a good life, and Israel has always felt like home,” said Naftali Feig. “Something about Israel just drew us back.”
While moving families consider loneliness and the cost of living as major challenges, cultural differences is another item to consider. Naftali Feig believes it is important to visit the country several times prior to relocating. He suggests families vacation in the area in which they want to move to, that way they can get to know the area.
Moving families must also investigate the healthcare system in their new destination. There are many differences, especially if you are switching from a socialist system to a capitalist system or vice versa. It is prudent for families to research the services that may or may not be available to them prior to moving, especially when it pertains to each individual’s health. Taking all medical records with you will also make things less complicated.
Moving families face additional challenges that include language barriers, education, weather, and distance from family.
Naftali Feig suggests families consider the move together. He believes that in order to put together a successful family move overseas, you need to ensure that all parties are 110% supportive of the decision.
“At the end of the day, if you move anywhere, local, long distance, international – there will always be challenges. Family members must consider all aspects of the move and work together to overcome the challenges,” Naftali Feig said.
There are many challenges for those deciding to move abroad that include loneliness, cost of living, cultural differences, language barriers, education, weather differences, distance from family members, etc. In order to avoid matters such as financial pressure, healthcare issues and others, it is important to do your homework well in advance in order to properly prepare for the new destination.
More About Naftali Feig
Naftali Feig, a native Israeli resident, holds 12 years of business and finance experience under his belt. Naftali Feig attended undergraduate and graduate school in the United States. Naftali graduated from Touro College with a Bachelor of Science in finance and recently he graduated from Cleveland State University with a Masters of Business Administration. Naftali Feig is a results driven business professional who is highly skilled at increasing revenue for organizations. His specialties include project management, accounting, strategy, planning, finance, real estate, and cost cutting. Naftali Feig is currently searching for challenging employment in Israel. He is married and has three children.
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
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