Local student reflects on summers spent with french exchange students.

I consider myself extreamly lucky to be apart of a family that is able to host students over the summer every year since I was two years old. Looking back through all the bio's of the students that have stayed with me in the past I can say I have a memory and story to go with each. Having over 15 students stay with me has been such a pleasure.  I remember how excited I would get when the students would be arriving from their long plane ride and then all of a sudden when the student was actually in front of me I would freeze up because my enthusiastic personality would turn into that shy little girl hidding behind her mothers leg. And to be honest every year I still have alittle bit of shyness when they arrive. Until about 10 mins later when the student starts to ask about our life and how we live then it seems like you cant shut me up. Getting to spend a good portion of my sumer with these students is always a fun adventure to both them and us. It seems as if they're new born children that need to be tought about Walmart, Twinkies, and other simple american ways of life. Its also fun being able to bring them to your friends and families homes and for them to become alittle part of your own family. One of my favorite parts of the summer is being able to go up to the islands with the students because most have never really ridden ferries before and just getting to see them experience something new is cool to me. I just love being able to experience a month of meeting a new person and creating a bond thats there for life. I can say this because I have kept in contact with every one of my past students that we've hosted. I would recommend sharing your summer with these students to everyone and anyone I know. It truly is a life changing experience that lasts for a lifetime.

Mae Quinn, Avon Lake High School Student