Exchange of cultures
By Chris Simon

Innisfil resident Denise Pearson holds a picture of 18- year-old Austrian student Philothea last week. Pearson and her family hosted Philothea, along with a Chinese and several Japanese students, as part of an international exchange program during the last few years. The program, which is run by Muskoka Language International, is currently recruiting host families for their next Japanese student exchange, which is taking place in February. For more information, call coordinator Lee Wilkins at 726-2813.

For Denise Pearson, a new face around her home every few months is quickly becoming commonplace. Over the last few years, the Innisfil resident and her family have hosted several international exchange students, from countries like Germany, Austria, Japan and China. The family has become close with their guests, taking them on trips to tourist destinations in Toronto and northern Simcoe County.

Pearson's family communicates regularly, through email, with most of the international students they've hosted. Many of the students even have plans to visit.

"While they're here, they're an addition to your family; I don't consider them different," she said, sitting at her dining room table. "want them to feel like they're a part of us. While they're here, I'm like a kid at a candy store, making sure their beds are all nice and making them comfortable. I enjoy serving them. We love to do things together like shop. I'll take them to the CN Tower or up north."

The exchanges, which have been hosted by Muskoka Language International, can include students ranging between nine and 17 years old.

The students live with a host family for various times, often ranging between two weeks to several months.

Often, the exchange give families and international students an opportunity to learn about different cultures. Exchange students are treated like Canadian citizens, and experience the daily lives of their hosts, said Muskoka coordinator Lee Wilkins.

"Basically, the program is to provide international visitors with the opportunities to enrich their lives through Canadian culture and a unique learning experience," she said. "Canada is a very multicultural country, and they're finding it much more comfortable over here.""

Wilkins, who has also hosted exchange students, says her family gained valuable experiences through the program.

"I'm a mother of four and I knew there was no way we'd be able to travel. Instead, we're bringing the culture into our home," she said.

Wilkins says most families and couples may be eligible to host students. Interested families undergo a one hour screening, criminal record checks, and monthly monitoring by Muskoka staff once a student arrives.

"You want students to experience how Canadians live," she said. "We want to make it a good fit. I look at the home and make sure they have an adequate, separate living quarter, and make sure its fully safety proofed. I want to make sure they're going to open up their homes as if these children were their children."

Pearson says the experience is challenging, but rewarding.

"I have teenagers myself, and each one of them will tell you I'm very strict. Whatever goes for my children goes for (the students)," she said. "They're used to a different lifestyle, but in the end, they thank me. They want to come back; when they're here, it just makes the house feel alive."

Muskoka is currently recruiting host families for their next Japanese exchange in February. For more information, contact Wilkins at 726-2813.