By Pat Griffith, AFS GPS Volunteer, Seattle
Thank you for your heartwarming article about AFS exchange student Mohammed’s ecumenical experience in Seattle (M.O.T., “Saudi student enjoys kosher food,” Feb. 25). Now more than ever we need people-to-people relationships to dispel stereotypical images that are so prevalent.
This year AFS of Greater Puget Sound is hosting approximately 50 students from four continents in our local communities. Current students in Seattle public and private schools come from Sweden, Moldava, Brazil, Russia, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Tajikistan, Switzerland, Chile, Australia, Malaysia, Portugal, Italy, and Saudi Arabia and stay with local volunteer families.
We are looking for host families for students who will arrive in August for the 2011-12 school year. It’s not necessary to have a child in school, though it’s great if families do have high school students. Single parents and empty nesters can make excellent hosts. Students arrive with full medical coverage and their own spending money.
As a host family you will learn more about your own community and country through the eyes of a student as well as creating family around the world. It’s a great introduction to studying abroad for your own children. Please contact AFS now at afs.org or our local hosting coordinator (heidicook@aol.com) if you would like to expand your horizons by hosting a student.