GLOBAL CONNECTIONS FOR THE PRESENT… AND INTO THE FUTURE!

DR. MICHAEL ROEMER , DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EDUCATION

Of my favorite Global Education experiences over the years (and there are many), seeing the global friendships formed right here on our campus tops the list. This has happened when International Assistant Teachers spend several weeks with our students and teachers and when middle- and upper-school students visit. One common theme among these in-person exchanges that makes them especially rewarding and often transformational is that our guests live with TVS Host Families. In many cases, friendships started at TVS last long into the future, and those friendships can lead to new exchanges and opportunities for our teachers, students, and their families.

By May of 2023, 160 TVS families across all divisions will have home-hosted more than 270 visitors (ages 13 and up) since 2011. That represents 240 TVS students who have learned to share their homes and lives with someone from a different culture. They have been pushed outside their comfort zones – but within the safety of their homes and our School. They have tried new foods, laughed at themselves as they struggled to communicate in another language, and grown as they have learned to view the world through different lenses. Parents have also shared with me how much hosting has changed the way they parent, how much they cherish the lifestyle and family they have, and how much they, too, have grown as people by inviting an international stranger into their homes. Whether for 10 days or two semesters, Hosting Exchanges at TVS have had overwhelmingly positive effects on both the Hosts and the Guests, often lasting for many years to come.

Here are a few highlights exemplifying how onetime hosting experiences have carried on into the future – even during the pandemic lockdown!

What I appreciate most about these examples is how each hosting experience led to new exchanges and deepened friendships. For other families, hosting once led to hosting several other different people, resulting in new family memories and global family friendships. Although the kinds of experiences and lasting effects of hosting vary by family, there is no denying that opening home and heart to an international guest is a meaningful way to grow as a family. These families have chosen to take a chance that 10 days or a few weeks will yield long-term emotional dividends that make the inconveniences and uncertainties of hosting a stranger well worth it. So, when you see calls for TVS Host Families, we hope you will jump at the opportunity and sign up! As these testimonies reveal, one simple act of kindness can lead to new adventures and friendships for your children and for the whole family for many years to come. To learn more about TVS Hosting, visit bit.ly/ TVShosting.

FROM STRANGERS TO FAMILY FRIENDS!

2017-PRESENT

Kamryn Dow ’18 participated in the Australia 1:1 Exchange

She hosted a student from Whitsunday Anglican School in April, then lived with her partner’s family in Mackay in July. Kamryn and Emma remain close friends today, and thanks to social media, are in touch almost daily!

2018-PRESENT

Piper Duncan ’20 also participated in the Australia 1:1 Exchange

The following year her partner, Ross, and his family stayed with Piper’s family over the holidays; they remain close family friends today.

Similarly, Piper’s sister, Tatum ’23, hosted Charlotte from Germany in 2019.

In June 2022 Tatum traveled to Trier with Fort Worth Sister Cities and stayed with Charlotte and Jule Marie. In October 2022 Tatum’s family hosted Jule Marie, and friendships continue through social media!

FROM ASSISTANT TEACHERS TO CO-TEACHERS!

2019-PRESENT

Christina and Signe (Danish Assistant Teachers) spent six weeks teaching eighth-grade Humanities with Ed Wood and Ryan Ellis.

In 2020 Christina and Signe helped arrange a professional development for Dr. Wood and Mr. Ellis at their Danish university and nearby schools. In spring 2022 seventh graders completed a Virtual Learning Exchange (VLE) with Christina’s students at the school where she is now a full-time teacher. 2022-2023: TVS fifth-grade English classes are doing several VLEs with Signe’s students at the school where she now teaches full time!

GERMAN VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON CONNECTIONS!

2020-Present

2020-2021: Logan Bettinger ’26 and Ruthie & Mary Blair Mayfield ’25 were Virtual Hosts (during COVID pandemic) for Till and Carin, respectively, German students at a partner school in Trier.In October 2022 Logan hosted Till, and Mary Blair and Ruthie hosted Carin in-person as part of an exchangewith six German students to TVS.

In March 2023, Till and Logan reunited in Trier as Logan participated in a Fort Worth Sister Cities trip to Germany!

2021-2022: Ashlyn Corbin ’23 was a Virtual Host for Luna, a German student.

In June 2022 Ashlyn traveled to Trier with Fort Worth Sister Cities and was hosted by Luna.

In October 2022, Ashlyn’s family hosted Luna: yet another hosting exchange coming full circle!