What it`s all About

Submitted by Rebecca Bourke on 31 July 2010 - 2:23pm

Okay, no matter how I phrase this it`s going to sound disgustingly corney and sentimental, so please forgive me;

On the way to the supermarket today I had a really great conversation with my host mother, and I really want to share what she said  here as I think it really sums up what intercultural exchange is all about, and why it`s so worth while to get involved in any form of cross-cultural activities.

We were just chatting about the usual things, how school was going, the (hot, hot, HOT weather), etc., and we somehow ended up talking about why she and her family had decided to welcome complete stranger into their for a month. About a year ago my host-brother did a 12 month home-stay in America. Not only did he practically perfect his English, he also had a great time and made lots of friends. My host mother said that there was no possible way for her to thank the family that he stayed with enough, so the next best thing she could think to do was try to give someone else an experience as wonderful as her son`s was.

What more can I say? To me, that represents everything EIL is about. Getting out in the world, meeting people, connecting, sharing. Cultural exchange is a ball that just keeps rolling (CLICHE!), the benefits don`t begin and end with the person who travels.

... on a side-note, I just got back from the most FANTASTIC dinner of my life! My host-sister and I went out to an `Alice in Wonderland` themed restaurant, and boy do the Japanese know how to do things properly. I`m talkin` walls covered with blown-up pages from the book, waitresses dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter, Chesire Cat shaped Pies, caterpillar cakes, and playing-card place-mats. Pictures to follow!

Hosting

Submitted by Gen on 3 August 2010 - 8:04am.

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for sharing that story and it does sum up a lot of people's feelings about cultural exchange, the different reason's why people host, etc. Her "pay it forward" attitude may catch on and we hope it does as sometimes it isn't easy to find host families in different countries.

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies of all times and I like the new one too. I would have loved to seen pics from that restaurant! Sounds really cool! Both you and Arann should read "Through the Looking Glass" too if ye are fans of the films.

Thanks for the blogs too, they are great to read to keep up with everyone as we sit in Cork at our computers every day!

Genevieve

=D

Submitted by Árann McMahon on 31 July 2010 - 2:38pm.

I LIKE, I LIKE, I LIKE! I just saw the new Alice film on the flight over, as it happens. I'm really sorry, but...

 

 

... I haven't seen the first one yet! =S

But I ALSO like what your host mother said. They seem like a really nice family. I mean that HONESTLY! So please tell her for me. =)