Host families needed for student exchange program

The Learning and Academic Foundation (LAAF), a private non-profit educational organization, announced that it is accepting applications from prospective host families in south Texas to host a foreign exchange high school student for the upcoming 2008-2009 academic school year, according to Misty Dempsey, the LAAF Area Coordinator.

The LAAF high school exchange program is designed to enhance exchange visitors' academic and social capabilities while building their English language skills and understanding of different cultures. Students in the LAAF high school exchange program are between the ages of 15 and 18 and includes both male and female students primarily from China and Thailand.

"Building on educational and cultural achievements is critical to understanding our complex world," says Misty Dempsey, LAAF Area Coordinator.

Applications are available for any interested families and host family interviews will be scheduled in advance of the upcoming 2008-2009 academic school year.

The application and initial screening interview is just one step in a careful selection process and is not a guarantee of program acceptance. All host families are carefully reviewed for compliance with the U.S. Department of State and State of Texas Department of Education exchange visitor program policies.

More information is available by contacting Dempsey at 361- 782-9159 or 979-709-1315; or e-mail todempseymisty@yahoo. com; or by visiting www.laafi. org.