PBSCA Youth Exchange: The Host Family Experience

Participating in an international youth exchange is a rewarding and enriching experience. Learning about different cultures, gaining a better understanding of the world and of ourselves, and developing new language and social skills are just few of the benefits that PBSCA Youth Exchange offers.

Over the years, dozens of young people — American and Italian — have participated in our reciprocal exchange. One year, high school students from Bologna travel to Portland to stay with host families who have children about their age. The next year, the same Portland students whose families hosted Italian students travel to Bologna to stay with the families of their Italian counterparts. The experience is enriching not just for the students, but for the entire family.

Thinking about becoming a host? Read on to learn how the experience went for John and his daughter, Maddie, who participated in the exchange in 2016.

PBSCA: So John, why have you decided to be a hosting family?
John: We wanted our daughters to have the experience of hosting an international student, and to have the similar experience of spending time abroad in a different culture/language. The PBSCA program seemed like a perfect exchange -- a few weeks, not too long, but long enough for an immersive experience.

PBSCA: Why did you choose the Portland Bologna Sister Association?
J: We personally knew Sally Hudson, and it seemed like an affordable, exciting, and well-planned summer exchange. We liked that the kids stayed with Italian families and that those families in turn sent their kids to Portland. The element of reciprocity was a key selling point.

PBSCA: Sounds fun! How did it go? Would you do that again?
J: We had a great experience with our Italian exchange 'daughter', Giulia, and our daughter Maddie had a great experience with Giulia and her family. We would have encouraged our younger daughter to go, but the pandemic made the exchange impossible. Our house became a default meeting point for many of the Italian and American kids, which was a lot of fun -- we did BBQs and the kids enjoyed hanging out. Maddie's host family traveled to Rome, in addition to Venice and Florence, which were visited as part of the excursion. We took Giulia to the Oregon coast, where we walked the beaches, kayaked in a wildlife preserve, and had a fire on the beach.

Giulia and Maddie Devil’s Churn, Yachats, OR

PBSCA: What have you learned from this experience? 
J: We really appreciated that Maddie learned about Italy. She since returned on her own and stayed again with Giulia and her family (so, two visits), and we are returning to Italy this summer for a family vacation. I don't know if we will be able to meet up with our friends, but we will certainly contact them.

PBSCA: What is the one piece of advice you feel like giving to a new hosting family?
J: Embrace the opportunity! It's as much fun showing Italian students Portland as it is sending our kids to Bologna. It's a great program.

Do you want to apply to our Youth Exchange, or simply learn more? Get in touch!