Cultural Exchanges: Local Family Hosts Foreign Exchange Student
By Regina Elling

Having fun at Lake Mead, Nevada. Shown from left, Gene Seidl, Nora Seidl, Radka Nanová, Samantha Seidl, Dominique Seidl and, in front, Cameron Magnino. Photo by Linda Starker

Samantha Seidl believes that meeting people from other countries is the best way to learn about those countries. So when she heard about an opportunity to host a foreign exchange student, she immediately began to investigate.

Perhaps most 16-year-old girls wouldn't be nearly so interested. But the Seidl family had previously hosted two Japanese students for a short while.

"They were very busy all day and were just with us at night, but it was still fun and we learned a lot," says Nora Seidl, Samantha's mother.

But as a high school junior, Samantha felt that hosting an exchange student was very much related to her interests. She loves music, writing and photography.

"But I really love to travel," she says. "When I get out of school, I want to travel around the world."

Across the globe in the country of Slovakia, 17-year-old Radka Nanova was deciding where in the United States she would like to live for a year. "I picked California because I love the sun," she says. Radka has been living with the Seidl family since August.

Ramona resident B.J. Mitchell is an exchange student coordinator for the Council for International Educational Exchange in San Diego County, one of several private organizations that match host families with exchange students. His family also is hosting an exchange student, and he says the program is working well.

"There has been a greater number of exchange students this year than in previous years," says Nora, who claims Radka as "just another one of my girls." In addition to husband, Gene, and Samantha, 18-year-old daughter, Nicki, lives at home; daughter Lexis, 23, lives in Ramona.

Exchange students come from as far away as Germany, Denmark, Portugal and Brazil. For many, the adjustment of leaving home and entering a different country, a new school and a ready-made family isn't always easy.

"School here is very different than what I am used to," says Radka, also a high school junior.

"Our schools are much smaller and the students are together all day," she explains. "The lessons are shorter, but we have more subjects and our schedule is different every day."

"I also miss my mom very, very much," she says. Her older brother is away from home attending college in their home country. But keeping in touch is relatively easy, as she either sends e-mails or text messages to her family and friends daily.

"She is on the Internet a lot," says Samantha with a laugh. "But I guess I am, too."

Having a family that accepts her as one of their own is a huge help to Radka. "The best part about being here is being with a family," she says.

The Seidl family has also had to make some adjustments.

"The funniest part about living with Radka is that she loves to clean," says Samantha. "I have to keep making her stop with all the cleaning!"

Although it is not a mandatory part of the program, the Seidls are making sure that Radka is exposed to many different aspects of an American lifestyle. "We have taken her to a play, the movies and the beach, and we've traveled to Arizona and Nevada," says Nora.

"We've also been to the mall and gone shopping," adds Samantha. "We've done lots and lots of shopping."

Before the school year ends, they plan to visit many local museums, and take trips to the desert and to the mountain

"We have mountains in my country, and we go skiing and snowboarding," Radka says. "Going to the desert for fun will be something new for me."

Radka will return to Slovakia after the end of the school year.

"More people should get involved in this, it is really fun," says Samantha.

To find out more information about becoming a host family for a foreign exchange student, co tact Mitchell at the Council for International Educational Exchange at 760-522-3641 or e-mail psychoredneck760@aim.com.