Scandinavian Teens Seeking Santa Clarita Host Families

Twin brothers Joseph and Charbel are 15 years old and like badminton, running, soccer, swimming and playing video games on their Wii.

Ellen, 15, has a border collie at home and likes dogs, math, dancing, and aerobics. Linn, age 14, eats healthy, likes sports and dancing and wants to stay with best friend, Stephanie. Stephanie, also age 14, likes handball and eating healthy.

Suzanne is 16 years old, full of energy, and likes sports and water sports. She wants to stay with Kristina, also 16, who plays handball so well she is the coach and referee, and travels all over the world.

           

What all of them have in common is a desire to visit the United States—a wish that will come true when they spend four weeks in the Santa Clarita Valley this summer as part of an exchange visit organized by EF Educational Homestay Programs. The committee currently is seeking host families who will share their homes with these visiting teens—preferably families with American “brothers” and “sisters” who will share common interests with their guests.

           

The full group of 35 students ranges in age from 13 to 17 and includes 8 boys and 27 girls from Norway and Sweden. They will arrive in the Santa Clarita Valley Wednesday, June 27, and leave for home July 24.

           

[view:node_ad=5]Host families open their homes to the visiting youngsters each evening and weekends, providing room and board and transportation to the gathering spot at the City’s Activities Center on Centre Pointe Parkway for weekday classes and field trips. The Scandinavian teens will travel to such spots as the beach, Hollywood, Disneyland and Universal Studios. Weekends are free to enjoy activities with the host family.

           

EF coordinator Nikki Beck has scheduled an orientation for host families on June 21 to acquaint them with the cultural of Scandinavia and provide some helpful hints on making the host family experience enjoyable. The group also will organize a welcoming reception and goodbye party for the students.

           

EF is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging international cultures through foreign exchange programs.   Interested families can obtain further information or request a host family application by calling (661) 755-6152 or sending an e-mail to rogerandnikki@sbcglobal.net