Edo, the Crowleys’ exchange student, is such a good sport! The girls are making him have a tea party* spoken in an English accent.
Do you like to travel? I’m sure the popular answer is yes; however most of us don’t get to explore the world until later in life. I recently learned how teens can explore the world and learn about cultures — continents away.
Kimberly and husband, Jose Cano, became a host family to Sabrina Rauchegger this year. Sabrina is sixteen and from Scheifling, Austria; a small village about two hours from Vienna. She is currently a junior at Calhoun High School.
The Canos’ signed up in December of last year, at that point Sabrina had not been placed with a host family yet. Normally the students live with their host family for a year. The foundation asked if they would go ahead and take her in. Therefore Sabrina will be with the family for six months.
A very close friend of theirs has hosted kids for quite sometime now. She loves it and the Canos’ thought it would be an amazing experience for them, the student, and their kids.
Sabrina learned about the foreign exchange program via a classmate back in Austria who had come to the United States. She said when her classmate returned and described her experience, Sabrina knew she wanted to do it. “Sabrina loves it, she says the culture is so different, in a good and fun way,” Kim said. “She has even talked about attending college in the states.”
The Canos’ have two daughters who are five and three, Kim says that’s a whole new experience for Sabrina as well. Sabrina’s says there really aren’t any young kids in her family as her youngest sibling is thirteen.
“It’s been great, fun, and exciting. Until about a month ago, Sabrina had never tried Mexican food or Dr. Pepper, now she can’t get enough,” said Kimberley. “Everywhere we go she is constantly snapping photos. It’s really opened up OUR eyes to our beautiful little town. We’re so used to living here that we miss the great view of the bay every day when we drop our kids off at school. Our girls enjoy her being here as well. They introduce her as their sister to everyone.”
Melissa and husband, Dr. Bill Crowley have two exchange students: Edoardo Calvo and Martin Ziniel. Both attend Calhoun High School. This is the Crowleys’ second time becoming a host family.
All three foreign exchange students were found via the organization, EF Foundation for Foreign Study, http://www.effoundation.org. EF Foundation exchange students come from twenty-five countries including Taiwan, Germany, Italy, Norway and Korea. Currently, twelve foreign exchange students attend Calhoun High School.
Edoardo is from Italy and has been with them since October. He is seventeen, but will turn eighteen in May.
Martin is from Austria and arrived in January. He is fifteen, but will turn sixteen this month. All three students will return home in June.
Martin
“We have learned many different things from our students. The different cultures; how they react with American students — the things they eat,” said Melissa. “The language barrier is a little difficult at first. Even though our students know English, it’s basic. We have different words for different things. They both are quick learners and don’t hesitate to ask if they don’t understand something.”
Both students chose to travel abroad to see what the American way of life is like, in addition to learning better English.
They have told Melissa that they really enjoy it here and much like Sabrina, Edoardo would like to come back to America to practice. He plans on studying medicine specializing in pediatrics. He has shadowed the local pediatrician, Dr. Jeannine Griffin. “Edoardo loves watching her take care of the children,” Melissa commented. “Martin’s interest is computers. He is learning more and more English each day.”
The foundation attempts to place students with families that have similar interests such as arts, sports, cooking or in the Crowley’s case — medicine. The EF foundation offers the students and families support twenty-four hours, seven days a week plus multiple discounts and coupons. The foundation prides itself as administering one of the highest quality programs in the exchange industry.
Thank you to both families for sharing their experience as host families. I greatly enjoyed learning about the program. Imagine studying your junior year of high school in Italy! I leave you with that thought, till next time DT readers.
The Cano sisters with new sister, Sabrina, at the Riverwalk in San Antonio.Antonio.
