FIGMAN's Blog

My aunt and uncle had a exchange student once and they had 2 kids about same age..

They took him to places to show him part of our history like to the Rutherford B. Hayes Museum..

Found out he loved to fish so took him fishing,they asked him what he liked and they did all they could to show him tings and take him places..

As he made friends at school they let him throw a party and had his first teen party..

Just find out what he likes and do your best to do it for her.

Hi Figman. Our family hosted an exchange student from Sweden in the 90-91 school year. We still email on occasion and he's returned for a visit a few times since he went back home.

It will be a great experience for all of you!

For instance, I never knew that they don't call their country, Sweden. To them, it's Sverige. Norway is Norge. I guess after taking French and Spanish in High School, I should have known we just gave it an American pronunciation.

The funniest thing was, I came home from work one day and he was eating what he thought was a bowl of cereal(s). He always pluralized it.. heh.. Anyway, he said, this cereals is salty. Sitting next to his bowl was a box of Bugles. After laughing for a half hour, I explained that that wasn't cereals. This young man was brilliant in school. A few years later, I mailed a box of Bugles to him. I told him I thought he was missing his favorite cereals. :)

I loved learning some of his language and his customs. He thought it was unusual to see children under the 4th grade level speaking English. It's mandatory in Sweden to take English from 4th grade on.

Here's a hint.. one thing you don't want to compete with is.. Mom & County. They will defend them to the end... as they should. :)

Enjoy your time together!

the exchange student that hermann had this year was from germany, ya couldnt tell, her host family even gave her a car to drive, she came in the shop alot, she fit in so well ya would never know she was an exchange student, she left about a month ago, i miss the lil shite...lol, shes on my facebook so we still chat

Hey Lance - what's up? I would not have them watch the news as much as I do now. This would really change their overall perception of the US and the St. Louis area. I would steer them more towards the religious functions in the area, the things kids do (sports/camps/etc), and community efforts.

I believe our biggest negative is our news media and this I would "filter" in order for this gal to have a positive or at least neutral outlook on our nation.

learn the sudents culture also like i learned the cuban and swedish culture. i have a penpale named monica and she lives in karlstad sweden and we learn from each others culture over the past 26 years.

maybe you can find someone near or around you that comes from her country in case she gets home sick. i have fist hand expeierce on this because i was sent to another country to stay for a while andi did not come out of the house for one week.

We do have someone in our community that is from her area originally and another person that actually knows the young lady. This will be a big help plus we are a busy family. I know I am an over protective dad but my 16 year old would not go to another country for the school year. It seems though many youth from other countries want to come here for education and opportunity.

that is good that you have someone in your community that is from her country and that is a plus.

My daughter and her husband hosted a young exchange student about three years ago.
They really enjoyed him while he was here and he still contacts them from time to time. He was a lot of fun and never gave them any stress.He went to church with them and did well in school.
By the way, i know people from viburum and use to live there some twenty years ago. Sure is a small world. Any way, i think you will enjoy having this young lady stay with you and i believe it's a wonderful way to show how really great america is.

My niece right now is living with a family in Spain. Its been an experience so far she claims. She left in May and returns home on July 9th. They conserve water. They take bath every 2 or 3 days. Use to washing your hair everyday..well not anymore. The public swimming pools are topless.. All ages.

But she is loving each day. The family she lives with are funny and very nice she says. You will enjoy it Fig.