Foreign exchange students have found Fort Dodge to be a welcoming community when they want to broaden their horizons.

Families who want to share the opportunity have a chance to be a part of providing an environment to these high school students.

World Link Inc., who places the students in loving homes, is looking for five families in the Fort Dodge or surrounding area to house five foreign exchange students.

“We have found that Fort Dodge is open to our students and offers them with so many things to do and learn,” said Karen King-Fitzgerald, who is the World Link Inc. program manager. “A student who lives in Fort Dodge really has the best opportunities for them. There are many sports they can get involved in, many clubs they can join, many volunteer opportunities and the list goes on.

-Submitted photo
Foreign exchange students stand together, having embarked on the experience of exploring another country.

“Our students who have lived in Fort Dodge tell us, it’s the best place for exchange students. Fort Dodge is a city, yet it feels like a small town community.”

To house a student, it’s simple — love and support the student and their endeavors.

“We are looking for families who will provide a loving and supportive environment for the student,” King-Fitzgerald said. “Our hope is that the family will open their heart and home to the student as if they were their own child.”

The cost for the family is minimal and the greatest need or want is just caring for a student.

“The host family needs to provide a bed, three meals a day and some basic transportation for the student,” King-Fitzgerald said. “All families must pass the background check and vetting process to be approved to host a student.

—Submitted photo
Natia Tsiteladze was a foreign exchange student at Fort Dodge Senior High who lived with Aaron and Holly McHone and their family this past year. Here, she is wrapped in her country's flag of Georgia.

“We hope the family will be open to learning about different cultures and share the American culture with the student, who can all speak and write in English.”

The student will have spending money and World Link helps the students adapt.

“The student receives a $200 stipend per month for their own spending money,” King-Fitzgerald said. “The student has a medical plan and any out-of-pocket expenses are paid by World Link. The host family and student have about $500 allowed for items like winter coats, winter outerwear, school fees, sport uniforms, PE clothes and many other things.”

Bringing a student into their home gives host families the chance to build a bond that often time carries on after the students stay.

“Many families host year after year and have long-standing relationships with their students and their families,” King-Fitzgerald said. “We have many families who travel to their student’s country.

“Learning about how other parts of the world work is very interesting. The program has a saying of, ‘It’s not better. It’s not worse. It’s just different.’

“It is fun to see the students grow while they are in the USA as they become a global citizen and to see the world in a new way.”

Fort Dodge resident Holly Mchone, who is a World Link Inc. local coordinator, has also helped the students enjoy their trip to Fort Dodge by bringing them into her home.

“Having exchange students has really broadened our knowledge of the world,” said McHone, who has three children with her husband Aaron. “All of our students were from less well-known countries, but they have taught us so much about their countries and cultures.

“It has really helped give our kids a more global perspective. They have begun to understand that our world is an amazing place with unique beauty and cultures and filled with amazing people that are valuable and have so much to offer.”