There’s more than one way to become a global citizen: If you can’t fly to Europe this summer, why not let Europe come to you?
Inderkum teacher Lisa Stubenrauch is seeking local families to host teens from Spain, Denmark, France and Norway in a cultural exchange program that she says is consistent with Natomas Unified’s goal that all students graduate as “college and career ready, productive, responsible and engaged global citizens.”
“It’s so important,” Stubenrauch said of learning from other cultures. “If you want to become a lifelong learner, you have to understand how the world works … It’s like planting a seed that will grow and blossom.”
Students in Inderkum’s International Baccalaureate program can earn 50 community service credits by hosting one of the European students through Educational Homestay Programs, a cultural exchange that Stubenrauch coordinates locally. Students are 13-18 years old and need homes from July 1-29.
“It creates a community within a community,” Stubenrauch, Inderkum’s IB “History of the Americas” instructor, said of the month-long homestay program. “It encompasses what IB is all about, students who become risk takers and communicators – and it creates cultural awareness.”
Roughly 120 European students are expected to be placed with families in the capital area, including Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Loomis, Citrus Heights, Antelope and Natomas. Students will be bused to Roseville for morning classes and will participate in educational activities and field trips supervised by EHP until 5:30 p.m. each weekday.
Nearly a dozen Natomas families have committed to hosting one of the European students. Other families are encouraged to sign up by calling Stubenrauch at 732-575-6611. Volunteers are asked to provide their student guest with a bed, meals, and transportation to and from their bus stop for attending class.
Anna Vue, a co-founder of Inderkum’s IB program, said she had a fantastic experience last summer hosting an EHP student from Madrid, Alex Rodriguez. “It was a life-changing experience, for us and for our son,” she said.
Vue said her son, Joshua Hoong, has struck up a friendship with Alex that is sure to last a lifetime. Joshua plans to fly to Madrid for a visit this summer, then Alex will reciprocate by coming to Natomas in July, Vue said.
Vue said that she and Alex’s mother also have gotten to know each other well. “I still talk to her, like twice a week,” Vue said. “We’ve become best friends.”
A flyer about the local cultural exchange program is posted below.
