Non-Profit Seeks Local Families to Host International Exchange Students

    Your host son or daughter could be the next U.N. Secretary-General!



    SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 /EMWNews/ -- AYUSA Global Youth Exchange,

http://www.ayusa.org, a leading global, non-profit youth exchange

organization offers international students aged 15 to 18 the opportunity to

live with a volunteer host family and study at a local high school for an

academic year.



    AYUSA's exchange program offers a uniquely rich personal experience for

students, volunteer families, host high schools and local communities

across the nation. For over 25 years this program has reached across

interpersonal and international borders and celebrated worldwide community

through the spirit, character and promise of youth. Famous diplomats like

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have participated in foreign exchange

programs and the U.S. Department of State calls exchange programs the

"single most effective public diplomacy tool in the last 50 years."



    Right now, AYUSA needs local families to share their home and everyday

life with an AYUSA high school exchange student. There is only one week

left to apply so interested families should call 888.552.9872 now to learn

more about hosting before the opportunity passes.



    AYUSA students are a group of culturally diverse youth from over 60

countries. They are accepted into the program based on academic excellence

and maturity. The students' participation in family, school, and community

life help build a greater understanding of and appreciation for the

different cultures of the world. "The world is getting smaller and parents

want their family to be exposed to new cultures, languages and

experiences," said Sherry Carpenter, Director of AYUSA. "Our students are

eager to get involved and contribute to their local communities through

volunteer projects, social clubs and school activities."



    "When Rodrigo arrived, we immediately felt comfortable with him in our

home and he was eager to learn everything he could about our family and his

school. The hardest part was saying goodbye. I still tear up when I think

of him being so far away now. But we keep in touch and my family is

planning a trip to see him next summer! Our lives are changed for the

better because Rodrigo is now a part of our family forever." -- Angela

Kennedy, host mom in Houston, TX.



    AYUSA Global Youth Exchange is a 501(c)3, and an official U.S.

Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor. For

information about hosting an exchange student please visit

http://www.ayusa.org or call 888.552.9872.