Shreveport family explains why hosting a foreign exchange student is something good
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)- Chrystal Bordelon is a teacher, and so when a coworker talked about her experience as an exchange student, Bordelon took the idea to her husband, Chris. They decided to go for it, to host a student.
A Google search for exchange student programs in Louisiana will help you find programs available and looking for host families.
The family says this is not a money-making venture. Although the students get an allowance from back home, the host family is expected to provide for them like they would their own child.
Their student is from Madrid, Spain, his name is Markel, and he is 15 years old. Chris Bordelon said, 'I think he is learning stuff from us and learning from specifically in how American men carry themselves cause it is different, there are differences in the cultures.'
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As for Markel, he says Shreveport is a different pace from what he is used to. Madrid is a city of millions, and he is used to being able to walk most places. This is what he said about Shreveport,' Coming from like a super big city, you don't need the car for anything, like you can walk everywhere, coming here to Shreveport going to the grocery shop we need a ten-minute car ride, so it's just super different.'
The family, which included 10-year-old Raelynn, has visited Dollywood, New Orleans, and Gulf Shores, just to name a few, and Markel said he loved all of the locations. Some things he likes about Shreveport include Chick-fil-A, Crumble Cookies, Target, and Starbucks, to name a few.
Once the school year is over, he will return to Spain, and the Bordelons say they will miss him, but they plan to keep in touch. They have really made a connection.
If you are interested in hosting a student or want advice, contact Chrystal Bordelon at cbordelon@caddoschools.org.
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