Area families sought to host international teachers and students

KALAMAZOO--If your family enjoys meeting new people, exploring new cultures and introducing American culture to international visitors, consider becoming a host family.

Western Michigan University is seeking homestay opportunities for visiting international teachers and students arriving in August. Benefits of serving as a host family include:

• Exposing your family to a new language and culture.
• Teaching international visitors about American values and traditions.
• Helping international visitors learn English in a family setting.
• Increasing cultural awareness in your community.

Host families will be assigned a visiting international teacher or student and are required to provide their guests with a private bedroom and two meals daily--breakfast and dinner. Guests pay for all other personal expenses while they are in the United States. A stipend of $450 a month will be paid to each hosting family for the duration of the guest's stay, which can range from four weeks to one year. A simple online application process is utilized for host family selection.

Interested families should contact Barb Curley at findyournest@gmail.com or (269) 217-9094.