430x243-lisapeterson-flex.jpg
Host Lisa Peterson and FLEX exchange student
“I have had a curiosity about other cultures since my mother was adopted from Germany at age 14,” says Lisa. “I loved the fact that I could share my culture with someone else and perhaps change their views about Americans.”
While Lisa thinks that there are initial cultural barriers due to language differences, these are soon overcome by sitting down and talking together.
“People are people no matter where they are from, and they all need to be nurtured and loved,” says Lisa. “It seemed that no matter where the kids came from, they all knew American music and television shows. I found that to be quite interesting.”
Lisa has become more open-minded due to her hosting experiences and has learned to better embrace change.
“Instead of having prejudiced views, I find myself trying to understand the differences of others,” Lisa explains. “I think people in general live in fear of the differences when we should try to learn those differences to find more understanding of the different ways of doing things in life.”
Lisa loves all the students she has hosted as if they are her own children and is extremely grateful for the hosting opportunities she has been given.
“Hosting is the most rewarding experience that I have done in my lifetime,” says Lisa.
