The Organization for Cultural Exchange Among Nations, nonprofit student exchange organization, seeks volunteer host families to host exchange students for the 2015-16 school year. Each year, OCEAN provides over 100 exchange students from over 20 countries the opportunity to study in local public and some private high schools for a 10-month academic high school year.

“Host families make all of the difference,” said Janet Sinning. “When the family is so willing to give, they have just as many rewarding and enriching experiences as the student.”

Volunteer host families come from varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds and include working parents, empty nesters, singles and single parents. They are to provide:

Open communication, encouragement, patience and sound advice

A separate bed, which can be in a shared room with a host sibling of similar age and same gender, and a quiet place to study

Three daily meals

Local transportation (students are not permitted to drive while on the program)

Treatment as a member of the family, which may include household rules, responsibilities and privileges.

Students have their own accident and health insurance and bring their own spending money. Students are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored activities, community service and environmental programs. OCEAN provides regular communication and support to both host families and students. Host family applications are being accepted now .

For more information, visit www.ocean-intl.org or email Janet Sinning at jsinning@hostanexchangestudent.org or call her at 507-251-1657.