DALEVILLE — Traveling to another country can be a learning experience for students and their host families.
Jennifer Everitt’s family has hosted a total of four high school students from Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
They’ll add to that number during the upcoming academic year by hosting a girl from Spain.
“(The) kids come over here to learn, but we learn so much more from them,” Everitt said.
Everitt’s family will also host a student from Taiwan as part of Daleville Community Schools’ efforts to give local kids cross-cultural experience.
Approximately 15 students ages 10 and up will arrive on Aug. 12. They will stay until Aug. 21, according to Superintendent Greg Roach.
While in Indiana, they will travel to different activities during the day, including an Indianapolis Indians game and the Indianapolis Zoo.
Kiley Eckhardt, a first-time host parent, said she’s experiencing mixed emotions about the opportunity.
She is excited to learn about another culture, but worries about her daughter, McKenna, possibly going overseas as Daleville plans to offer a similar trip to Taiwan in 2025.
McKenna will be 12 years old by that time, which adds to her trepidation.
“It’s a lot for me,” she said.
Eckhardt is also worried about a possible language barrier as another host family will be experiencing that problem.
Eckhardt is nevertheless excited about having another child in her home.
Having another child was the reason Everitt became a host parent.
She described her daughter, Bryn, a soon-to-be fifth grader at Daleville Elementary School, as outgoing and needing a companion.
“We wanted to give her the chance to meet some new people and get some experience with other cultures,” Everitt said.
Bryn has connected with most of their host children, including one who will be returning soon for a visit.
She has also been in contact with the Taiwanese exchange student via social media.…Read more by Caleb Amick The Herald Bulletin
