Spain In Salisbury Is Looking For Host Families For Exchange Students

SALISBURY, Md. — Spanish exchange students are looking for host families on Delmarva, and families who have participated in the program for years say the experience is rewarding.

Spain in Salisbury is hosting its annual Spanish exchange student program and is calling on the Delmarva community to open their homes to students ages 13 to 17 from June 29th to July 27th.

“They are here to learn the family dynamic and culture of America, American families,” organizer Cindy Malone said.

For host parents Jim and Jani Gottschalk, the experience is one they continue to embrace. “It’s fabulous. This will be the third year that we’ve done it,” Jim Gottschalk said. “We have had three girls come through. We’re going to have two more this year.”

For the Gottschalk family, sharing cultures often begins in the kitchen.

“We’ve enjoyed sharing our culture,” Jim Gottschalk said. “My wife loves to cook. The girls that we’ve had have also enjoyed cooking, so we got to sample Spanish cuisine.”

The students also developed a taste for an American favorite. “What else did we cook? Oh, their favorite one last year was the BLT.” Jani Gottschalk said.

For other families, hosting can mean exploring local attractions, from Assateague Island National Seashore to the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge.

Jani Gottschalk said some families worry about language barriers, but she said it’s not a problem.

“One thing they’re supposed to expand is their ability and knowledge of the English language, and they speak it,” she said. “They’re expected to speak it while they’re here. We don’t speak Spanish, and you don’t have to speak Spanish to host them.”

The program also offers transportation assistance. Students can carpool to classes during the week, and organizers can help families offset transportation costs.

“We have a local church that we’re using. Some of the classes will be at the public library, but we can provide transportation,” Malone said. “We can work with families on that. We can also help with gas because gas is pricey. For families where that might be an issue, we can work with you.”

Another organizer and host parent, April Todd, said the experience creates lasting memories. “There’s nothing but laughter and playing games and experiencing barbecue together for the first time,” Todd said. “All the experiences are very magical.”

Todd’s family hosted Mateo, a student in the program, who said the exchange left a lasting impact.

“It was an amazing and enriching experience that I will never forget,” Mateo said. “It allowed me to learn about American culture and the society in which they live. I shared incredible moments with my family and met new people who opened my mind and changed my way of seeing the world.”

Jim Gottschalk said the program benefits host families as much as the students.

“It’s a good reminder that there’s a big world out there,” he said. “People do tend to get insular. When you share something with somebody from another country, particularly if they’re with you for several weeks, it gives you a much more expanded vision of what the world looks like outside your own little world.”

By the end of the three-week program, saying goodbye can be difficult.

“When you’re standing at that airport saying goodbye, it’s very difficult because that kid does become part of your family,” Todd said.