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Health & Fitness

Learn About Another Culture While Making a Dream Come True

Got Culture? It's closer than you think! Host a High School Academic Exchange Student & bring the world to you!

Each year thousands of high schools around the USA invite Foreign Exchange students to attend their school.  This is a dream come true to students from around the world. It is only possible with Host Families that open their heart and home to hosting a student for the school year. Host an Academic Exchange Student and bring the world to you!

International student exchange is an educational tool that benefits all students who share their classroom or school with an International visitor. Foreign students challenge their classmates with a different perspective of the world, and act as insightful resources on current events and the understanding of different cultures.

The success of the International Academic Exchange programs started after World War II as an important element of US diplomacy, as well as fostering peace and International understanding.

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Over the past two school years, Tampa, Bradenton & Pinellas County area school students have had classmates from Thailand, Italy, Spain, Brazil & Denmark. It is exciting to make a new friend from a far away land and to learn about their country and culture.

The State Department of the USA requires all Host Families be volunteers. PAX-Program of Academic Exchange places students from around the world with host families in our area and throughout the USA. Host families help to make dreams come true when they “adopt” a son or daughter from another country for the school year, bringing joy & inspiration to their host families. Students come with their own expense money & insurance. Host Families and Students have 24/7 support from their local Community Coordinator.

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Academic Exchange students are excited to embrace learning everything they can about the American lifestyle and strengthen their English, along with teaching our community about their culture. Host families get the opportunity to make a positive difference in a young life from another part of the world, often making a life time friend.

For more information about hosting a Foreign Exchange student this upcoming school year, please contact Karen at 727-329-8060.

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