school, and each of them (plus adult escorts) needed to be hosted by local families. Peninger says the interview process is short but necessary and ensures that the local families understand what the program expects of them. Besides basic requirements (like a designated bed for the student), Peninger likes to make sure there are very few surprises. “I tell them to just be yourself. If you don’t go out to dinner every night, don’t take these kids out to dinner every night. The students want to come and experience life the way you experience it,” said Peninger. Besides living as an American for almost two weeks, the French students also made frequent trips to Southern California to visit typical tourist attractions, including a daylong trip to Magic Mountain, where they found the rides “faster” than Disneyland, the only amusement park in Paris. That wasn’t the only difference. “It’s cooler here,” said Mouche, referring to the “hipness” of American families. “The food, the houses, and the people. It’s all cooler.” Mouche was surprised by the Fetters’ high ceilinged house and explained that she lives in a house with three “floors” (then corrected herself to say “stories” after her host family erupted in laughter). The Fetters had formed a special bond with their newest daughter. “To me, it’s been a joy. Liliane has been like having another daughter, and we only have our older son and daughter, so for Courtney, it’s been like having a sister,” said Jill. “We treated her as a daughter. She’s been a total joy, and we will miss her.” “You, too,” answered Mouche quickly and with a warm smile. International relations had never been better.
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