Last updated 10:54, Friday, 15 February 2008

MY POINT of view is only one side of the coin.

After all these experiences in Cumbria, I wondered how other people felt having us around. What could move someone to make the decision of taking a foreign student for a longer time and how they think about this.

Chris and Barbara Charnley have hosted a lot of students and older people from Germany. They said they take part because it was nice to be able to help people who wanted to broaden their horizons, encourage them to learn a second language and to let them feel part of the family.

Barbara said: “Its sometimes lonely in the house if your own kids are grown up. “There is more of an homely atmosphere again. It helps to keep young”.

Having spoken to a lot of people I heard different stories, but all of the people had in common that they were enthusiastic.

“You discover things about other countries you would have never known otherwise,” Pam Jones said, remembering the Indonesian girl, living at her house last year.

“One should tell more people about the benefits they can get by sharing interest, learning something about other countries and by taking the opportunity to open their mind to others.”

In a time of globalisation, exchanges between different countries become more and more important. To be able to speak English has become essential if you want to go to university or have a higher education in Germany. For this reason it becomes really important for young people to learn to speak English. By going abroad they will become more confident in using the language and will improve their language skills.

Jill and Richard Roper, our host parents luckily also did not regret their decision to take us in their house for three months.

“I can advise to everybody, that if you have a spare room, open up your house and your heart to a foreign student, particularly if you have youngsters of the same age.

“It is a great experience, for both sides. The students became part of the family, went on trips with us and we enjoyed having them around! It was a good experience for our family,” the couple said.

nTo host a foreign exchange student, contact Workington Sixth Form Centre.