Date: Fri 05-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

host-families-exchange-student

Full Text:

with photo : Host Families Find A Different Kinds Of Cultural Experience Right

At Home

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

When John and Joanne Klopfenstein heard about the opportunity to host a

student from another country for a few weeks this summer, they jumped at the

idea.

"When I saw the article in the newspaper I initially thought it might be a

good educational experience for my daughter, but also a fun experience for us

as an entire family. So far it's gone great," explained Mr Klopfenstein, a

local realtor. "Everyday it's becoming more fun."

The Klopfensteins felt hosting a foreign students would be a great way to

enrich their daughter, Sara's, cultural experience and give her the

opportunity to practice her Spanish.

On Sunday, John and Joanne, along with Sara, who will be an eighth grader next

year, went to St Rose along with some 50 other families from the area to greet

the new member of their family... Leire.

The 15-year-old teenager was one of several young people from Spain who

decided to get a glimpse of the United States through the eyes of a host

family. They were brought to Connecticut through a program entitled "Across

the World Intercultural Association," a non-profit organization based in

Southbury.

Allison Martens of Southbury helped organize the exchange, preparing host

families for the experience of having a stranger in their home who speaks only

limited English.

"This is really a great opportunity for families to experience another culture

in their own home for a short-term commitment of only four or six weeks," she

said.

Most of the Spanish students are from San Sebastian, a coastal city which lies

in the northeastern tip of Spain, bordering France at the base of the

Pyrennies Mountains.

Eleven of the students are staying with families in Newtown.

Mr Klopfenstein said the first couple of days were a bit of a struggle dealing

with the language barrier and not knowing each other, but the more time spent

together, the more comfortable everyone became. In fact, Leire has been

studying English since she was in elementary school.

Living just five miles from the French border, Leire, who speaks fluent

French, actually goes to a private school in France.

The Spanish teenager wasted little time finding MTV and is looking forward to

buying a $30 pair of Levi Strauss jeans rather than the going rate of $100

back home.

Sara, the Klopfenstein's only child, is especially excited about having an

older sister in the house for the summer.

Mr Klopfenstein joked that communicating with Leire was a breeze since he took

a year of Spanish about 35 years ago.

"Heck, I think I can count to about five," he said.

The Klopfensteins plan to bring their new family member with them to Virginia

Beach later this summer.

As a group, the exchange students and their families will be taking trips to

New York City, Boston, Riverside Park, the Maritime Center and to a country

line dance party.

Other local families hosting a student are John and Donna Irlam and daughters

Lindsay and Shannon, who have welcomed Theresa.

Jeffrey and Joanna Kotecki and children Andrew and Elizabeth are hosting

Felix.

Mark and Jean Kunkel and sons Matt and Ben are hosting Ion.

Tom and Patti Meyers and children Preston, Kristin and Lauren have welcomed

Jone into their home.

Manuel and Lisa Simoes and kids Manuel, Jr and Manissa are hosting Imanol.

Alan and Mary Clavette and daughters Aimee, Natalie and Stefanie have opened

their home to Elisa, the group leader

Daniel and Cindy Fogliano and daughters Sara and Rena are hosting Miren.

Cosme is staying with Jeffrey and Karen Jackson and children Scott, Brett and

Hillary.

Janice Vizzo and George Lopez and daughter Brittany are hosting Ainhoa.

Frank and Carol Zimmerman and children Kate, Kendal and Andrew are hosting

Pablo.

In addition to Newtown, host families live in Danbury, Brookfield, New

Milford, Milford and Stratford.

If anyone is interested in hosting next summer can call Allison Martens at

263-4983 or 1-800-498-1550.