Destination: home in Ogden

Many students remember quite well their first day in college. Few can even imagine trudging through that first month of school in a foreign country.

Weber State University students and Ogden-area residents will have an opportunity to help foster cultural exchange and understanding when 10 German foreign exchange students and two faculty members visit the Ogden area from Oct. 17 to Nov. 15.

There is only one problem with the students' visit. Not all of them have a place to stay.

For the past 10 years, WSU students have traveled to Ogden's sister city, Hof, Germany, and this year it's Ogden's turn to host the German students.

According to foreign language professor Eva Ludwiga Szalay, the sponsor of the exchange, the host families won't have to do much more than provide a room. The students will have their own transportation and spending money. Just a few hours a week can turn out to be enough to give the students a taste of real American life.

"You don't have to entertain the students," said Szalay. "Although this sounds like an intensive effort, it really isn't at all. The German students would benefit greatly from living with American students and their families for the month of their stay. We are hoping that this will create an opportunity for genuine cultural exchange."

Travis Glenn, a former WSU student traveled to Germany in 2001 as part of the program.

"It was a great time," Glenn said, "The Germans have to turn people down to come here but we can't find enough people to go over there. The Germans were very hospitable people."

While in Ogden, the exchange students will be participating in internships with Ogden City municipal programs such as the police and fire departments.

Bob Belka, a retired WSU German professor, has volunteered to house the two faculty members in his home.

"They are really good kids," Belka said, "Many have Ph.D.s from Germany, but they are here to learn civil service; and it's a great opportunity if you would like to learn what the Germans think about the Bush administration."

Hosting a foreigner provides opportunities for the host as well.

"You get to see a lot of things through their eyes, which is always a lot of fun," Belka said.

2003 is the first year that WSU has experienced difficulty finding rooms for the German students. "I am not sure if it's the war or the economy or what, but we just haven't had a lot of response this year," said Szalay.

Ogden City resident Kathleen Loppier said, "I always thought that hosting these students would be a ton of work, but having hosted kids from all over the world is wonderful; I cry each time they leave." Loppier has hosted exchange students from Russia, Germany, Austria and France and for over 20 years.

"We have traveled all over Europe and rarely had to find a place to stay," Loppier said, "We just stayed with our exchange students."

Ideal for this program would be the many returned missionaries or those who have spent time in Germany, Austria or Switzerland; but the invitation is open to anyone who might be interested.

Eva Szalay is heading up the placement and organization process. Anyone interested in housing a foreign exchange student for a month can contact her by calling 626-7908.

You can leave a message for correspondent Andrew Preece by calling 626-7655.