BIG RAPIDS – If you’ve ever hosted an exchange student, or been one yourself, you know that programs that encourage exchange student participation can change lives. Currently, the STS Foundation, one of the largest student exchange programs is seeking families to place students with for the upcoming school year.
The STS Foundation is a Department of State designated sponsor responsible for all aspects of the high school exchange program. The organization offers American families the opportunity to become citizen diplomats by welcoming an international high school student into their home.
The organization’s mission is to facilitate educational opportunities where all participants can break down cultural barriers, and gain respect and understanding of each other’s way of life.
Tammy Lynn Hughes, senior regional director for the STS Foundation, said the organization has had to face issues with the COVID-19 pandemic making families hesitant to welcome foreign students into their home but have had success with many family placements.
“Generally American families are very open to student exchange and opening their homes to this amazing experience” Hughes said. “Due to the COVID issues, and changes in the last year, families have been a little more skeptical, but we still have those who love hosting helping us. We are currently still in need of volunteer families for this school year.”
The STS organization works with roughly 150 families in Michigan, and places 500-600 students nationally. For families hosting, the STS Foundation holds sponsored Host Family orientations that provide families with all the logistical and practical information involved when hosting a foreign exchange student.
The organization is committed to facilitating a high quality program for all participants, with the sole purpose of providing students with a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn and grow, host families with the opportunity to be citizen diplomats while learning about another culture, and schools with the opportunity to enrich their educational environment.
Hughes said the program ensures the comfort of students and families and can make a difference in both sets of lives. The program supervisors provide close supervision with local coordinators, never being more than 60 miles away, and meet with families monthly and in many cases more frequently.
“Student exchange is an experience like none other, and I speak from my own personal experience as I was too was an exchange student many years ago,” Hughes said. “It helps your family have a better understanding of other cultures and people, but it also makes you more aware of the quality time you spend with your own family. I see families adding their student as a family member for life and having experiences that they could never gain in any other way.
“Exchange brings not only culture and diversity to our schools, but also these young people are generally over achievers who apply to the program and bring their talent and academic brilliance to the school environment,” she added. “Normally they are interested in everything offered to them and enjoy being a part of their school environment.”
In a November 2020 study, The Association of International Educators reported a decline of almost 2% in the number of overall international students which is the first time that figure has dipped since the 2005-2006 academic year.
The report also showed a decline in new international student enrollment for the fourth straight year, as well as a reduction in the number of jobs created/supported, on average, by international students.
Colleges and universities have also seen a decrease in exchange program enrollment, with community colleges seeing an 8.3% decline since 2019. According to EducationData.org, In 2018, the total contribution to the US economy by international students was estimated to be over $45 billion.
Hughes said that the loss of enrollment is unfortunate, but that she is inspired by many of the students who she’s worked with, and many students and families still express interest in the program’s offerings.
“I definitely am passionate about what I do but after nearly 30 years of work in programming, I must tell you I see promise and change in these young people,” Hughes said. “I’ve had a student who went home and started an animal shelter as in his country there aren’t any. A young Muslim girl who went home married and started a women’s shelter. These are two great examples of things they learned here.”
“I have had students on program who are now in politics and making changes in their own countries,” she added. “The possibilities are endless. The one thing I do see is how much young people love our country and culture and the lifestyle we have here. We are a loving and giving country, and that is hard to compare with. That’s why these wonderful families open their hearts and homes to these children. Our program encourages all families, all types of families to try this program. We are changing the world one student at a time, and they too can make a difference.”
