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Washington Evening Journal
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Brooklyn woman connects students with host families
BROOKLYN — Connecting host families with international foreign exchange students is something a Brooklyn woman takes to heart.
Franci McClenathan, a community representative with Academic Year in the USA, a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, enjoys everything that comes with being part of the youth organization.
“I am involved as both a host family and as a community representative,” said McClenathan. “Experiencing a new country through firsthand sharing is so worthwhile.”
McClenathan knows personally how strong family bonds become while foreign exchange students spend a year in Iowa. She has opened her home and heart to boys from Brazil, Germany, Indonesia and Kenya and to girls from Spain and Thailand.
McClenathan has built lasting relationships with many others who have not lived in her home.
“All the firsts they experience — like baking homemade chocolate chip cookies, participating in school sports, attending football homecoming, making a snow angel, eating a Thanksgiving meal, attending prom — are the best memories that I will always cherish,” said McClenathan.
“I’ve heard it said it takes a special person to host. Honestly, I do not consider myself special. I feel you just need to be caring, open-minded and patient.”
McClenathan, who works as a para educator at BGM Community Schools, got interested in being a foreign exchange student representative in May 2019.
“The teacher in my classroom at BGM was moving into a manager position with a foreign exchange company she worked for at the time, and she asked if I would be interested in being a representative,” recalled McClenathan.
She first joined Council on International Educational Exchange organization as a representative in 2019. McClenathan stayed with that organization until joining AYUSA in January 2022.
When asked what she enjoys most about her position, McClenathan said getting to know the students and learning about different cultures.
Her job includes connecting students with host families and also doing monthly checks on each family.
“My job as a community representative with AYUSA begins with a host family,” she said.
McCleanthan said host families cover a wide spectrum and are married, single, young or empty nesters. They may or may not have children.
“All are welcome to apply,” said McClenathan. “Whether you choose to commit to only eight weeks as a temporary arrival welcome family or 5-10 months as a permanent placement, the only real requirements are: being at least 25 years old; being able to provide a comfy, safe home for them to live, sleep, and study; providing three meals per day; arranging reliable rides to school and events; being welcoming and understanding of different cultures.
“Students come with their own spending money and insurance.”
As a community representative, McClenathan conducts family interviews and helps with the application process. This includes a home visit and uploading photos of the host family and helping complete their application.
She also assists with reference and background checks.
“Once your approval is received from AYUSA, I will help you choose a compatible student for your family,” she said. “Families get to indicate their preferred gender, country and some common interests.”
After a family’s student initiates contact, the fun “get to know you” time begins. Full year and fall semester students begin to arrive in mid-August and spring semester students arrive in January.
“Once your student arrives, I am in monthly, or more often, contact with you to share all your joys and to answer any questions that may arise,” said McClenathan.
“Your job as their parents is to provide loving care and guidance, while helping them experience life as an American teenager, including curfews and household chores.”
Opening your home to an international student is life-changing, for you and for them, said McClenathan.
“I feel exchange students and their natural parents are the bravest people I know,” McClenathan said. “Many of these kids have gone through a very extensive application process, hoping and praying for an American family to say yes to making their dream of coming to the U.S. possible.”
Connie Montano, a host mom from Malcom, said, “Having only had Sofi, our student from Chile, for a semester, I was surprised at how much she still became a part of our family in such a short time. Spending the holidays, the epic snow and cold, we built a great bond and stay in touch.”
The deadline for finding host families for the 2024 — 25 school year is approaching. Anyone who would like to experience the joys of hosting a foreign exchange student may call McClenathan at 641-891-2297.
