We have hosted students for the past 13 years. When we first started hosting we had no children, but over these 13 years we have now had the fun of having four of our own children and 12 "big sisters" from overseas. We've enjoyed helping the students, sharing some of the American Traditions, and showing them the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. We've also enjoyed the chance to share their friends and culture as well, and to learn about the differences in culture depending on where the students is from. In some cases we have had the pleasure of meeting their parents or relatives who come to visit. We stay in contact with all of them, and several have come back to Seattle to visit. Every year we look forward to meeting another student, and gaining another friend. Roger and Sue Pomeroy   I have been hosting international students for the last 10 years and I have more than 10 students in my family. I have had the wonderful opportunity of welcoming these students into my home and sharing our family functions with them. We've also taken short trips together to see the beautiful Northwest Territory. I have a lot of fun memories. Some activities we've shared are baseball, basketball, movies and shopping. One of the most rewarding experiences is being able to share our cultures. It is amazing how different yet how similar our customs are. I'm known in the hostfamily community as a good cook. I love to prepare creative dinners of all kinds of international foods. I've had the pleasure of welcoming former students back in to my home for return visits and many have returned several times. It is fun to keep in touch and see what my former students are doing. I am looking forward to sharing my home, family and culture with many students to come in future years. I will look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into my home. Paulette McClinton   Hosting ICC students has been so rewarding for us. It has broadened our horizons in an amazing way. The cultural exchange has been fascinating and remarkably it has become global. We have made lifetime friends, not only with our students but with their friends and families. We truly have an extended family-all over the world. Bob&Pat Sandbo Hi, my name is Lily. I will recommend people who wants to learn English, American culture or multi-culture to live with a hostfamily. I had an American host mom and a Japanese host sister. My host mom is a great cook and all of us enjoy the conversation at dinner table every night. We exchange opinions, share our life experience and enjoy the activities we do together. That is the reason I spent all my studying life which is more than five years with my host mom! Lily   The most wonderful thing during my stay in Seattle was not taking academic classes at college nor doing the internship. It was to meet my hostfamily!!!!! Satoru   It is very important to spend time with my host family for me. They treasure communication and try to make time for me. When I came to Seattle, I could not speak English at all. I always wanted to escape and cry. However, they made a lot of time to enjoy talking with me and cheered me up. Now my English skill is getting better, and I usually talk with them at least an hour. I appreciate their support. My host family has a lot of children and relatives. They have a home party on every big holiday. On a new year�fs day, there was a home party that had at least 50 people. I was so surprised but it was wonderful time to talk with people from different countries and generations. Now I am really happy to live with host family, hang out with my friends, and study English. Every day I can learn wonderful things. Hiro