Holidays a Learning Time for Families and Foreign Students

Families add a new twist to holiday traditons by hosting international students. The experience can be beneficial for both parties.

(PRWEB) November 9, 2004 -- Last year, the Blake family of Oceanside, California added a new member to their family at Christmas time. Hes an excellent pianist and sang Italian arias for us every night," said Joey Blake. Joey was talking about Taka Fumi, a 17-year-old Japanese student who became a temporary family member as part of a special Christmas program.     

The Blakes were one of more than 40 families in the coastal town who together hosted a total of 90 teenage students. The Japanese visitors learned about the English language and American culture during the height of the holiday season.

As the fall holidays draw near, families look forward to traditional rituals. But for families like the Blakes, international visitors add a special dimension to the season. Kathy Palko, who coordinates the program for FLS International, notes, It isnt always easy to get folks to open their homes to strangers, but once they do, theyre hooked."

For overseas students, visiting the United States in November and December is the best way to learn about how Americans celebrate their biggest holidays.

For the Christmas season, FLS schools and families cooperate to provide memorable experiences. Yoo Jin Back of Korea especially enjoyed a school Christmas party. There was a big Christmas tree, delicious-looking foods and lots of things to do. Ill never forget this Christmas party." For many students from South America and Thailand, just the experience of seeing snow is a unique and exciting moment.

Students also enjoy the novelty of Thanksgiving, a holiday that few international students know about. Alexandra Benedetti of Italy said, I had a lot of fun on my first Thanksgiving weekend ever! I knew that Americans eat a lot on this holiday, but doing it myself was a great experience that I will never forget."

Travel during the holidays appears to get more popular with international visitors each year. In 2004, 120 students will participate in the program at the MiraCosta and Citrus College campuses. FLS has offered such holiday programs for years at its California, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts sites, with students learning Christmas songs and traditions, taking part in craft workshops and sharing family celebrations.

FLS students also participate in local New Years celebrations. At Citrus College, its a tradition for FLS students to help decorate Rose Parade floats. Students join with volunteers to place thousands of individual flowers and plants on the amazing floats.

To learn more about the programs or to become a participating family, visit the FLS website at www.fls.net or call (626) 795-2912.

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