Since 1999 my husband Clayton and I have been involved with exchange students mainly from Germany and Brazil, but not exclusively those countries. We've hosting over the past years students from S. Korea, Ecuador,and Venezuela also. We've been blessed for the most part with inquisitive, well-mannered students. We work though a national agency called AYA, or AIFS. You can find out more information at their web site

Here we are in 2002 on the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This organization has been in place for many years. We place students age 15 to 18 1/2 in loving homes who go to our high schools in our local communities. These students come from over 35 countries. Most students arrive in late August and stay until school is over; though we do have some 5 month students who either come in August and return home in January or come in January and return home in June.

If you or someone you know would like to host an exchange student and help make 5 or 10 months special not only for them but also for your community, check out their web site and call the toll-free number for further information.

I could tell you many stories about "our kids", some that would make you wonder why we have these boys and girls, and others that would make you wonder how we could let them go.

Now for our school. This is for our kids to check out what kind of school to expect when they come here. We're a small rural area focused on academics and sports. It's a great way to meet and make new friends by joining in a sport.