On Wednesday, Nov. 12, World Connections Club (WCC) held its monthly club meeting in the Annex cafeteria. After general announcements, a guest speaker was introduced to the members; Nicole Barrington, a representative of the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), spoke to the group about the organization’s exchange program, which provides HSHS with its exchange students each year.

Nicole had an opportunity to be a host mother recently, as her son, senior Griffin Barrington, hosted a student from Spain last year and a student from Italy this year.

“If you want to host, you have to be really open-minded,” Nicole said. “But overall, it’s a really great experience. You learn so much about the country your student is from.”

Griffin, who also spoke at the meeting, shared his experience with the WCC members.

“[The exchange student] kind of becomes like a sibling,” Griffin said. “We go to school together and in the afternoon, they’re at home. [My student from last year and I] still keep in touch, and my family’s going to visit him over the summer.”

HSHS allows up to five exchange students per year, and all of them stay for the entire school year. Each is allowed to participate in all senior activities regardless of age. Host families are responsible for all expenses for the student as if they were part of the family, aside from medical bills.

In order for a family to qualify to host, they must meet basic criteria including having an extra bed at home, and at least one guardian over 25 years old. Nicole encourages all interested students to apply as soon as possible, as spots for host families fill quickly. For more information, visit ciee.org/host.