GULF SHORES, Ala. — Everyone knows the Gulf Coast is a great place to vacation. It is the heartbeat of Alabama tourism, and not a bad place to live.

One of the positive aspects of life along the coast is the educational opportunity that is available. Now, thanks to an effort by Pacific Intercultural Exchange, those living in south Baldwin County can offer a high school student from another country a chance to experience life and learning here in paradise.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange is looking for caring families to host high school students from various countries for the 2009-10 academic school year. There are few opportunities in this world where an individual can take an active hand in making the world a better place, but this is such an opportunity.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange is asking local families to consider showing one of these foreign teens what American generosity is all about. Students from many countries have been staying with families all over the Unites States since August of last year, and now a new group of international neighbors would like to add a little more to the community and leave with American passion, pride and sense of values.

“These students are ages 15 to 18. They come to learn about our culture and to work on their English,” explained Elvia Meza, director of operations for Pacific Intercultural Exchange. “We are looking for families that will bring these students in and treat them just like any other family member.”

Meza says there is no such thing as a typical host family. Whether you are a single parent, retired, have small children, teens, or no children at all, anyone can have a great experience hosting an exchange student.

All students are pres-creened and can speak English, have medical insurance and bring with them their own spending money for incidental costs. 

Host families are pre-screened, and can select their student based on gender, nationality and interest.

“If a family likes hunting and fishing, we try to match them up with a student with the same interest,” Meza said.

After completing an interview and going through a criminal background check, the families and students are connected and allowed to contact each other even before the student arrives.

“What we ask is that the host families provide the student a room, a bed, food, and a loving family to share their experience within out beautiful country. We want to help them learn the meaning of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The organization has two different programs, both funded by the U.S. State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs.

The Future Leaders Exchange includes students from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Usbekistan, Krygyzstan and Moldova.

This program was created in 1992 out of former Sen. Bill Bradley’s conviction that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and understanding between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union is to enable young people to learn about democracy firsthand through experiencing it.

While in the United States, these students will do community service projects and will learn about democracy and freedom.

The other program, Youth Exchange and Study, began after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. These students come from Arab nations and are working to learn peace and understanding between Arab countries and America. Since 2003, more than 2,000 young people from countries such as Ghana, Turkey, Egypt and Indonesia have come to the U.S. to learn about American society and values while helping to educate others about the customs and culture of their homelands.

Meza said that those interested are urged to contact Pacific Intercultural Exchange with any questions or concerns they might have. Experience is not necessary, as an orientation and support will be provided.

Interested families may contact Pacific Intercultural Exchange at 877-534-3144.