Most people have 6-9 months to prepare for a new child to enter the household. Get the bed room ready, make sure everything in the house is ready for the arrival, and even with all those months, it seems like you could use some extra time.
Well, enter Pascal.
In late July, Stephanie and I kicked around the idea of hosting an exchange student. We had a family friend from St. Justin's post about it hosting and we thought we'd fill out the application and see what happened next.
Well, what happened next, happened fast.
We filled out the application around 6:00 pm one night while sitting out in the backyard drinking wine. By 7:00 we were on the phone with the organization, and by the time we woke up the next morning we had a list of 10 students from around the world to choose from.
Steph and I read through all the applications, listened to the small sound clip that they provide, and each chose our top three. It turns out that we both chose two of the same. We then talked, narrowed it down, and chose Pascal, 16, from Germany.
A day later we had an in-home interview with the YFU (YouthForUnderstanding.org) organization, filled out more paperwork, and BAM about 10 days later, after a couple email exchanges Pascal was on his flight from Germany.
And just in time. He arrived just before midnight on the night before school started (no, he didn't have to attend that first day.)
He soon integrated himself into the household, Lukas loves being able to wrestle with him. He's adapted to high school pretty well. He's running for the Santa Clara High School Cross Country Team, and really enjoying that.
Overall it's been a great, great experience.
Everything is new to him, from Flaming Hot Cheetos to tacos. We've tried to do lot of stuff with him, went to the beach, visited San Francisco, he's gotten a taste of what it's like during a softball tournament weekend (long days, hot locations).
Well, enter Pascal.
In late July, Stephanie and I kicked around the idea of hosting an exchange student. We had a family friend from St. Justin's post about it hosting and we thought we'd fill out the application and see what happened next.
Well, what happened next, happened fast.
We filled out the application around 6:00 pm one night while sitting out in the backyard drinking wine. By 7:00 we were on the phone with the organization, and by the time we woke up the next morning we had a list of 10 students from around the world to choose from.
Steph and I read through all the applications, listened to the small sound clip that they provide, and each chose our top three. It turns out that we both chose two of the same. We then talked, narrowed it down, and chose Pascal, 16, from Germany.
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| On the cable car in SF |
And just in time. He arrived just before midnight on the night before school started (no, he didn't have to attend that first day.)
He soon integrated himself into the household, Lukas loves being able to wrestle with him. He's adapted to high school pretty well. He's running for the Santa Clara High School Cross Country Team, and really enjoying that.
Overall it's been a great, great experience.
Everything is new to him, from Flaming Hot Cheetos to tacos. We've tried to do lot of stuff with him, went to the beach, visited San Francisco, he's gotten a taste of what it's like during a softball tournament weekend (long days, hot locations).
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| Pascal is in the middle. |
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