Putnam County host families needed for exchange students

Want to make an impact? Putnam County families can agree to share their American culture with a young person from another country for the 2012-13 school year.

PAX -- Program of Academic Exchange, a non-profit education foundation sponsors students like Pauline from Belgium and Javier from Mexico.

Pauline's interests include horseback riding, swimming and track and field where her specialty is the high jump. Javier enjoys camping, fishing, basketball and tae kwon do.

"What better way to showcase America than by inviting a student from abroad to live with your family and learn about the many things which make you proud to be Americans," suggests Sue Bock of Reelsville who serves as community coordinator for PAX.

Bock is currently interviewing area families interested in hosting Pauline, Javier or another PAX student from more than 40 different countries, including Germany, Venezuela, Norway, Bulgaria, Russia, Ghana and Thailand.

Students are between the ages of 15 and 18, have basic English skills, full medical insurance and their own spending money.

Pauline and Javier are eager to live like American teens for one school year: Joining sports teams, studying for exams and participating fully in American family life. PAX families provide students with meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm, supportive environment.

Private rooms are not required and all types of families are welcome to apply, including single parents, young couples and retirees.

For information, persons may call Sue Bock at 317-225-2858.