June 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MCCC SEEKS HOST FAMILIES FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

MONROE, Mich. – Monroe County Community College’ Youth For Understanding international exchange student program is seeking Monroe County residents willing to serve as host families for international students.

YFU is one of the world’s oldest, largest and most respected international exchange student programs.  Since 1951, YFU has exchanged approximately 200,000 students around the world.

Families participating in the YFU program may choose to act as an arrival family for one month or as a permanent placement family for one to two semesters.  Host families receive a $175 per month stipend to assist with the cost of hosting.  In addition, host families with teenagers automatically become eligible for a host-family discount if those teens wish to travel abroad with the YFU program.  A host family may consist of a traditional two-parent home, single-parent home, “empty nesters” and couples with or without children.

“This is a great opportunity to explore another culture without ever leaving home,” said Stacy Jenkins, MCCC’s YFU coordinator.  “Our children are going to be expected to compete in a global economy.  If we are not able to send our children to study abroad, why not allow Youth For Understanding at MCCC to bring the experience home to your children?”

Host families need to be in place by July 25.  The international students will be arriving in Monroe the week of August 20.

For information on the YFU program at MCCC or to learn about becoming a host family, contact Jenkins at (734) 384-4258 or sjenkins@monroeccc.edu or go to MCCC’s YFU international exchange student program Web site at www.monroeccc.edu/yfu.