Area families needed to host international visitors

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—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 from Japan in August. 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.

Host families will be assigned an international visitor and are required to provide them with a private bedroom and two meals daily—breakfast and dinner. The guest pays for all other personal expenses while in the United States.

Benefits of hosting a visitor

• 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.

A simple, online application process is utilized for host family selection. To apply, interested families may send an email to findyournest@gmail.com or call Barb Curley, host family coordinator with Lodge & Learn in Portage, Michigan, at (269) 217-9094.

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