Host families still needed for global exchange program

A group of Spanish students, ages 14 to 16, will arrive June 28

Paul Norfolk of Eldersburg has hosted the same boy for two summers. Last year, the boy’s brother joined him. “It was a great experience,“ Norfolk said.

So great in fact that the Norfolks opted out of hosting this summer so they could travel to Spain and visit their exchange students and their families.

And the experience brought unexpected bonuses he said. “We took more advantage of the area,“ he said of the time they spent with their visitors.

“And since the kids come over as a group, we hooked up with other families who lived in the area that we didn’t’ know.“

Fifteen Spanish students between the ages of 14 and 16 are expected to arrive June 28 and stay until July 26.

Michelle Mortillaro of Eldersburg, who coordinates the program for Sykesville and Eldersburg, has placed 11 of the students, but still needs homes for four boys.

The boys will be coming regardless. “I’ll find a home for them,“ Mortillaro said. “It’s a little stressful for me at this time every year, but it always does work out.“

Mortillaro became involved with the program as a host five years ago, and has hosted every year since. “The families, generally speaking, really bond with their kids,“ she said. “Families can experience a better understanding of another culture.“

The Spanish teenagers take conversational English classes 12 hours a week taught by Mortillaro at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Eldersburg.

“It’s not sponsored by St. Joseph’s,“ she said. “They just let us use their space. The program keeps the kids busy from 9-5.“

In between lessons, the youth travel to place such as Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Annapolis. A favorite each year is Hershey Park.

Families who host range from empty nesters to families with young children, Mortillaro said. Ten of the families hosting this year have done it before, she added. “It’s about making life-long connections,“ Mortillaro said.

“They come with their own spending money,“ she said, adding transportation for the field trips are covered in their expenses.

Host families are responsible for providing room and board as well as transportation to and from the English classes and spending time with the youth on the weekends.

“They need to have a willingness to spend time with these kids,“ Mortillaro said.