I have a 15yr old exchange student coming to live with us for 3 weeks, the first week of September. I need some ideas on how to make her feel welcome. I'd also like to send her home with some kind of a gift basket that will remind her of us so I need some ideas for that too.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 12:26 pm:

Well, the gift basket would be from your home state - postcards, some kinds of preserved food (jams, jellies, etc.) and, perhaps a scarf with your state flag on it, and a book of the history of your state and how it fits into the U.S. as a whole. The other thing, of course, is to take lots and lots and lots of photos with her in them at all the places you go, so she can take them back with her.

As for making her welcome, I suggest a warm family dinner, and maybe a larger outdoor thing for some of her classmates - barbecue or something similar (a clam-bake??) a week or two later, when she's had a chance to get her feet under her and meet some of her new fellow-students. If there is a class photo or something similar from last year for her new fellow students, that would help her in putting names and faces together, that could help as it is always a problem when there are so many new faces and names all at once. A good local map - from your house to the school and surrounding areas (mall, shopping center, bus stops, etc.) - could be helpful.

By Colette on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 02:13 pm:

Thanks Ginny! Anyone else? She comes on Friday and I just found out that dd has to work for part of the day on Saturday and Sunday, so that leaves me to entertain her. She is coming from Germany and she doesn't live near the ocean, so i thought I would take her to the beach but need some other ideas too.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 07:07 pm:

I personally think just touring your city a bit would be great. When we've traveled to foreign countries, some of the best times are just walking around observing what's different about the sights, sounds, people, etc. I hope you have a good time and enjoy your exchange student!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 07:08 pm:

By touring, I meant really just walking around and seeing where that takes you.

By Tink on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 09:04 pm:

We had several exchange students when I was growing up. We'd take them to a nearby National Monument or Park, out for an "American" dinner, usually to an old-fashioned diner and back then, they loved going to see the newest release because it took so much longer to get movies in their countries. That may have changed with the internet being more popular now. Most liked seeing what our mall looks like and touring the local high schools.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of our's were easily exhausted from the travel and the energy it takes to translate everything mentally as they are out and about. They often needed a quiet time in the middle of the day to unwind and recharge. Have a great time with your exchange student!

By Colette on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 09:37 pm:

Thanks for the ideas. I can't really have her tour my town, because we have a whopping 2 pizza parlors, and 3 convienence stores, I can however take her to my hometown for the quaint new england thing, or maybe take her into Salem so she can learn about the witch trials - and salem is pretty quaint too. The program is taking them to see everything I would in Boston and New York so there is no point in that..We are very excited though and I am planning a box to mail home to her with typical New England stuff in it (so she doesnt have to deal with the airport).

By Jjb on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - 11:26 pm:

I was an exchange student for 7 months in high school. I felt most welcome when I was included and spoken to. I really enjoyed being shown around the local area. Let her try different American foods and share your customs. Make sure you ask her about her culture and familiy and the differences between her home town and yours. It's a great way for you to learn and for her to feel that you care for her. It's wonderful that you're opening your home to an exchange student. I still keep in touch with a family I met while overseas....20 years later!