Want More Culture? Avon Lake Family Says Host a French Student

For more than a decade, residents in Avon Lake have hosted students from other countries and this year is no different. 

“We have been placing students in the Avon Lake area for over 15 years, plus all over the greater Cleveland area since 1985,” Jill Werling Quinn, World Exchange Cleveland Area Director, said.

Werling Quinn, an Avon Lake resident, is again looking for families/individuals to host a foreign exchange student.

“They like to see what we eat, where we shop, what teenagers due of extra curricular and how they participate on their sports team or clubs they are involved in.”

She wanted to dispel the notion that hosts are “tour guides.”

“That is the furthest thing from the truth,” she said. “The students do go on 2 day trips with their own group to see downtown one day and Cedar Point the other.”

Werling Quinn has been hosting since 2000 and places students in the Cleveland area, including Avon and Avon Lake.

“We will have 20 French students arriving on Aug. 1 (and staying) through the 20^th,” she said.

Michelle Crowe of Avon Lake has hosted a student in the past and found it rewarding.

“Hosting a student through World Exchange gave my teenage sons a chance to interact with another person from a foreign country,” Crowe said. “They discovered the similarities and differences of cultures. Their friends were curious and it created friendships. We enjoyed having him in our home and he is returning for another memorable experience.”

Quinn has had a similar experience. She started hosting French students when her children were 2 and 5.

“August is the most exciting time of the year for my kids who can't wait for a new French friend to arrive,” she said. “We started this when they were 2 and 5 and now are the same age as the high school students who come to spend 20 days with us every summer.  I believe so strongly in this organization that two years ago when they know longer were going to send student to Cleveland since the director stepped down I offered to place that year’s students. This s great way to introduce another culture into your home with only a 20-day commitment.”

Anyone interested in hosting a French exchange student can contact Werling Quinn at 440-653-1564 or by email at Georgee182@gmail.com.