June 25, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MCCC SEEKS HOST FAMILIES FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

MONROE, Mich. – Monroe County Community College’s Youth for Understanding international exchange student program is seeking host families for international students scheduled to arrive in August.
The four students coming to MCCC this year hail from Vietnam, France, The Netherlands and Denmark, respectively.

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.  A host family may consist of a traditional two-parent home, single-parent home, “empty nesters” and couples with or without children.

“I am excited to be a part of the Youth for Understanding community college program, knowing the success it has been for previous students, host families, the college and the community as a whole,” said Megan McCaffery-Bezeau, who recently joined the MCCC staff as YFU coordinator.  She replaced Stacy Jenkins. 

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone involved to be exposed to other cultures, especially at a time when we are truly immersed in a global economy,” she said.  “YFU has a very positive reputation internationally, and MCCC is quite fortunate to be a part of this program.”

According to McCaffery-Bezeau, host families come from all nationalities, occupations and religious backgrounds and live in cities, towns and rural areas.  What makes each exchange experience unique is that no family is like any other. 

Host families need to be in place by July 24. 

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