July 21, 2006

For more information, contact: Kimberly Kreider (901) 333-4023

DANISH VISITORS TO SOUTHWEST LOOKING FOR HOST FAMILIES
Written by Brenda J. Rayner

It’s a tradition. For several years now, Southwest has hosted a “visitation of Danes” – guest students from Svendborg College in Svendborg, Denmark, to spend 10 days in Memphis each fall with host families. “They come to study American culture,” said Debbie Hunt, International Programs coordinator at Southwest. Their visit here follows a hotel stay in New York and Washington. “The Memphis part of their trip is the one they especially look forward to,” said Hunt. “Here they get to stay with Memphis families and have a chance to really “live American.”

Each year the College puts out a call for host families to accommodate the students. “This year’s group is larger,” said Hunt. “We have 44 students and two teachers coming. Apparently, previous visitors have spread the word about Memphis hospitality and learning opportunities.” Their study topics this year are public speaking, sports, business, sociology and, as always, the music of Memphis.

Hosts provide housing including breakfast and dinner, and transportation during the week to school. Evenings and the weekend are culture sharing opportunities for hosts and guests. The students’ English speaking level is good, so language difficulties will be minimal. Hunt emphasized the opportunity for two-way exchange by host families – “Previous visits have led to long-term friendships and future exchanges with the Danish students’ families.”

The students, ranging in age from 18 to 23, will be here from October 4 to October 14. For more information about hosting a student, call Debbie Hunt at (901) 333-4556 or 685-6946 or, best way, e-mail her at dhunt@southwest.tn.edu.