International students search for new host families

Learning about foreign countries doesn’t always happen in a classroom.

Thanks to the International Education Center’s host family program, local families can learn about different cultures and teach someone else about American culture by “hosting” an international student.

Students don’t actually live with their host family, rather, they meet occasionally for meals, shopping or other group activities. It’s “a friendship program,” said Libby Davis, international student advisor. This provides “a chance for international students to make a connection with the community.” Families “learn about another culture of the world.”

Maria Grongstad from Norway and Ghali Kettani from Morocco are two Georgia College & State University students participating in the international host family program.

Grongstad received a Rotary Club scholarship for international students. She is one of 88 students located around the globe on the scholarship, and one of four who is located at GC&SU. Grongstad has a host family from the Rotary Club. Kettani also participates in the International Student host family program.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Grongstad, though there has been a culture shock.

She came to America on a previous visit, working as a nanny, or ‘au pair,’ for eight months when she was 18. Still, there were many changes to deal with.

“It’s more convenient here with 24 hour stores,” said Davis.

Her native Norway stores close at four in the afternoon. Fast food isn’t as common there and dining out is more expensive in Norway. There’s also “more to choose from” in the entertainment field. America has more channels, magazines and newspapers than Norway, though “Norway is a smaller country.”

Kettani said the host family program “makes you feel welcome to the United States,” with its different religions and social habits. He and his family would get “together and get to know my culture and their culture.”

Kettani also said Americans have better “human interaction” with each other, which was an opinion also voiced by Grongstad. “You don’t talk to anyone” behind counters or in the stores in Norway. “People are more open here,” and greet each other on the streets with hello. That’s uncommon in Norway.

Anyone interested in hosting an international student can contact the International Education Center at 223 Lanier Hall. For more information, contact Libby Davis at 445-4789 or at ldavis@mail.gcsu.edu.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 20 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry