Route J-1

By Judy DuCharme, J-1 host family from Door County, Wisconsin

Cooking Chinese-style

My house was full of smoke and laughter as six Chinese girls cooked all of their favorite dishes for my husband and I. They barely fit in my little kitchen, but they were having a wonderfully crazy time cooking the foods they missed from home.

Three things amazed me that night: the way the girls prepared the meal, slicing each green bean very carefully into five or six slices; how they set our table, like Thanksgiving but with foods we never imagined; and how they were so appreciative, so happy to cook for us and to be with uWe originally signed up to serve as a host family for two girls through American Connection, a program that helps community members establish friendships with international exchange visitors. However, since these two girls worked with four other girls and didn’t want to leave anyone behind, we ended up hosting them all. We agreed to do this because it was so easy to fall in love with these kids, and the students were so eager to find out more of what life was really like in the United States.

We hiked, shopped, sat outside by a campfire, jet-skied, and celebrated the Chinese New Year together. The girls became family, and they knew that if they had problems, they could call on us to help. Occasionally job issues came up and the students were at a loss as to what to do. We, like parents, helped them work through the situation.

Hiking with two Czech friends

The following year was much the same. Two Chinese girls turned into five. We did similar activities and found the same appreciation and family connection. One girl took pictures of the walls in my kitchen and my closet – the way we decorate fascinated her, and perhaps all of the clutter we have (a bit embarrassing, but amusing to me).

Our third year serving as a host family for J-1 exchange visitors gave us two young women from the Czech Republic. These girls were much more independent, and just as appreciative. They quickly became such good friends and family. The following year the same two returned and we picked up where we left off.

When it came time to leave, I drove them to Chicago to meet up with friends before traveling. It wasn’t because they had no other way to get there – they were very capable – it was because I could hardly bear not seeing them again, and I wanted to be with them and bless them.

I said once that hosting J-1 students is the best activity you don’t have time for. Summer is an extremely busy time in Door County. It is a tourist area and businesses are at peak working hours. It’s the place where families come to visit, so those who live here have many commitments. Residents barely have time to take on people they don’t know. But when they do take a little time, they just fall in love with these kids. The rewards that they receive far outweigh the time they seemingly give up.

Categories: Program Spotlight