Families Sought to Host Foreign Students

A nonprofit educational organization is seeking host families to board foreign students enrolling in U.S. public high schools for the upcoming academic year.

The San Diego County-based Pacific Intercultural Exchange, which places hundreds of students each year, is looking for four or five host families in Ventura County.

Hosts would be responsible for providing room and board to a 15- to 18-year-old student from one of any number of countries, including Argentina, Croatia, Brazil and others.

“It’s a way to travel around the world without ever leaving your home,” said John Doty, who administers the exchange. “You can learn about another culture while sharing the American culture with other students.”

Doty said the students are responsible for their own spending money and have received medical insurance through the nonprofit group.

“Basically the host families are asked to take care of the student, to provide a safe environment and provide room and board,” he said.

The Pacific Intercultural Exchange was founded in 1975 and has placed more than 18,000 students across the country. The program begins next month and continues through June, 1996.

For more information, call (800) 631-1818.