2008 Sep 19: Mice-infestation, fundamentalism and prejudice

This article by Ray Parker shows some problems that exchange students experience. One home with a mouse-infestation, another is fundamentalistic and the third is prejudiced against their student.

The Arizona Republic

… The teens are staying at homes temporarily, but they’ll need more permanent arrangements for the next eight months while attending Chandler and Westwood high schools.

 “These are very cordial, A students,” said Stephen Wasche, local representative for the Center for Cultural Interchange, a non-profit with headquarters in Chicago. “I just have to find places for these kids. I’ve got to get back to work.”

…

Kacper Guglas, 16, of Poland, had a host home infested with mice, while Ove Daldy, 18, of Norway, had problems with the religious fervor of his host family. … .

Then there’s 17-year-old Tung Lam of Vietnam, who is attending Chandler High.

“The host in Chandler had some family move back in with her,” Wasche said. “The relative was involved in the Vietnam War and was prejudiced.”

…

“A host family has to have a bed for them,” said Wasche, a teacher. “I don’t want to send them home if there’s any way possible to help them where they’re supposed to be.”

….

Helpline US Department of State

1-866-283-9090 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) The Department of State activated the helpline to ensure the health and safety of its exchange participants. Students have a right to be treated fairly and to report abuse without retaliation or threat of program cancellation. (Dep of State)

Blind trust in exchange organisations

You would not send your child to a house at the end of your street if you knew nothing about the person living there. Yet on the strength of a glossy brochure, the payment in some cases of vast sums of money, and an assumption that someone else has asked the right questions, we send our children thousands of miles across the world to stay with strangers.

The companies, organisations and individuals that abuse this blind trust cannot be allowed to continue to profit from it and we must all take responsibility for the care and safety of our young people. (Chris Gould)