Imagine
if your child went around the world for a summer. Wouldn't you want
someone to be there for them if the need arose and they needed a friend?
In the summertime many foreign students come to
the Erie
County area to work. Most lack basic transportation, their friends are
few, they're in a strange place and their American "experience" is
usually limited to work. Some find themselves trying to retain up to 3
seasonal type jobs just to make ends meet. They can become lonely and
discouraged - often returning home with a less than favorable image of
what life is like in the United States.
Many foreign students working in Erie County in
the
summertime never meet Americans outside of their workplace. Typically
they never get the opportunity to enter an American home or experience
general hospitality. Sometimes their pay is stolen. Many students are
unfamiliar with how banks, stores, and local law enforcement work.
Sometimes they experience small problems which would otherwise be no
problem for Americans familiar with the area.
Can you be someone's friend for a day?
You can help by being available and consider doing
some
of the following things if contacted:
Invite them
to
dinner in your home
Share a hobby
Visit the
beach or
local tourist attraction
Go fishing
or
attend an athletic event
Go for a
boat ride
or site see in the car.
Students are in the area from about April thru
September. As interest and needs develop you will be contacted thru
your club. Once connected with a student, you will determine how often
you meet as opportunities arise. There is no idea how much interest
they will have, but we will see.
You are not being asked to adopt these
young
adults. You are however, required to provide
complete transportation for your student for any activities you come up
with. You are not expected to provide housing like
a typical high school exchange program. You are,
however, encouraged to help them out, share your life, and let them
know that someone cares!