To be a host family, there are multiple orientations we had to attend, plus home visits, monthly phone calls, etc. There is even a handbook to follow to help you transition your student as they come to America for the first time. We never actually read the handbook until this morning, 96 hours into our "adventures in exchange studenting"
Chapter IV: Welcome to the USA.
The First Hours:
"Meeting you is the moment of truth. It is an experience that few will ever forget." Yeah, who can forget to people opening up a six foot sign with your name plastered across it screaming through the doors, YO! GET OVAH HEAH! They gotta learn to tawk philly soon.
Plan some face to face time before you head home. "Why don't you go outside and get the stink blown off ya while I wait for the bags to finally get delivered to the baggy-go-round."
"Do not invite guests over to your house the first day, give your child a chance to just rest or sleep if that is most appropriate to his or her state of health or mind" So, going to a Diner, Philly, Pig Roast and New York in 48 hours doesn't qualify as a chance to sleep or contribute to a healthy state of mind?" Uh-oh.
The First Few Days:
"He or she might enjoy making maps of the area." Putting him on his bike to find his high school after being there once and getting a phone call, "Uh Monica, I think I am lost." (true story, happened this afternoon)
Students will not know when and where they can do things. Not our kid, he starts American Football on Thursday, he hasn't a clue how to play. He knows he can't get hit in the back. This is gonna be good. I might have to find some Valium to survive the season.
Minor physical upsets sometimes occur because of the big changes in the student's life. Like a banged up head from slamming it into the drop ceiling the entire time he is running on the treadmill in the basement. We just gave him a helmet, all is well again.
Stay tuned as we learn what else we are doin wrong as first time parents.
I love you <3
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