PASCO CO., Fla. — For some students, going back to school can be a little daunting. New surroundings, a new school, but try being in a new country.
That’s exactly what some foreign exchange students go through. As scary as it sounds, there are host families willing to help along the way — but the Pasco County School District is in search of more.
And one family is bringing a whole new meaning to the word ‘host.’ Miqucalena Zullo has been hosting foreign exchange students for the last 10 years.
“It expands, said Zullo. “It started off small and it just keeps expanding.”
For Zullo, the faces on her living room wall are her family. They are the faces of the foreign exchange students she has hosted. The faces change but the joy from hosting a student never goes away.
“Everyone has a place in my heart,” she says. “Everyone.”
This year her student is Cece Pochintesta from Milan, Italy. She is learning English in a trial-by-fire way.
“It’s difficult because sometimes I want to express something, say, or know how to do so,” says Pochintesta. “It’s a little annoying but I will become better, I think—I hope!”
Sometimes the best way to learn a language is speaking it with family over a board game.
“They all come over with the same thing- what they saw on TV,” said Zullo. “So I try to go down a list of what they want to see and what they want to do and make that happen for them. Ideally, they just want that American family, that American experience.”
There are typically 10-15 host families in Pasco County each year, providing that American experience for the student but the school district says they are searching for at least 10 more.
Quality time together is what benefits both student and family.
“Everyone had a personality that, when they came over, they actually enriched us,” says Zullo. “You might think, ‘Oh I’m here, I’ve been doing this. This is how they do it, you’re going to come over here.’ It’s not like that at all. You have to be open, but as far as whatever things they have to teach you.”
And sometimes that starts in the kitchen.
“We are starting to share the culture of food because when I was Italy, I didn’t use to eat fast food or go out,” said Pochintesta.
Cultures coming together to learn something new.
“It brings us together, we talk about things we wouldn’t normally talk about,” Zullo said. “Usually they’re talking about their sports, work or friends. It also keeps us all in one area and the stress is off- we’re only focusing on the food.”
Even as their time abroad winds down, the experiences they shared last a lifetime.
“Nobody leaves-leaves,” says Zullo. “They have all of them in their hearts. They get to talk to their next exchange student about them. Their nexus exchange student leaves, knowing they have 12 sisters with them. I’ve had them in different countries visit each other. It’s a great feeling.”
It brings a different definition to the word ‘family.’
Pasco County is looking for more families to host foreign exchange students. If you or someone you know is interested, you can learn more online right here.
