Local host families sought

The Center for Cultural Interchange is looking for families in the Flathead Valley to host foreign exchange students during the 2010-11 school year.

The interchange offers foreign students the chance to immerse themselves in U.S. culture by living with host families in the United States, attending high school and experiencing life as an American teenager.

For the last few years, primarily because of the struggling economy, the nonprofit organization has struggled to find host families. But host families don’t pay for the program beyond providing room and board, spokeswoman Staci Dolgin-Rubinstein said.

The organization is trying to place 1,000 students with host families nationwide before its Aug. 27 deadline.

Students in the Flathead Valley go back to school starting Aug. 25; some schools start later.

“We want people to understand that they are needed to help many young foreign exchange students realize their dream of visiting America. It’s an opportunity to open a window to the world and learn about other cultures, traditions and languages — not just through a textbook, but through real world encounters,” Lori Tibbett, director of academic year program placement services, said in a press release.

Potential host families may visit www.cci-exchange.com/host.htm, e-mail ayp@cci-exchange.com or call (800) 634-4771.