World Heritage, a public benefit organization, is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls from Spain, France, Germany, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy through World Heritage International Student Exchange Program.

Students are already awaiting word on their host family for the 2005-2006 academic school year. Host families provide room, board and guidance for a teenager living thousands of miles from home. Students are screened and are selected based on academic performance, English proficiency, teacher recommendations and personal interviews. Couples, single parents and families with and without children in the home are encouraged to apply.

The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins in the fall. Each World Heritage student is insured, brings his/her own personal spending money and expects to bear his/her share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles. At the same time, the student will teach their newly adopted host family about their own culture and language.

Families may select the student of their choice from applications, photo collages and biographical essays. Once paired, students and families are encouraged to begin corresponding prior to the student’s arrival.

Celebrate the New Year by choosing to host an exchange student. For more information, call Bethany Marking at 1-800-888-9040 or visit the Web site at www.world-heritage.org.