Carrie Adams is sophomore at THS, who once was an only child. Now, although not actually related, she has three other “siblings” in her home: Adams’ family hosts three foreign exchange students.

Currently, Adams has three students living with her named Jimmy Zhang, Annie Zheng, and Vicki Chen. All three of the exchange students are from Shanghai, China. Zhang and Zheng are 16-years-old and they are sophomores at Westover Christian Academy. Chen is 32-years-old and is a senior at Danville Community College (DCC). She is studying art and will soon graduate with her associate’s degree; however, she is not a US citizen, so she still lives with the Adams for support.

“I can’t imagine my life without them, they’re like my family,” said Adams.

Zhang and Zheng have been living with the Adams for two years and Chen has been with them for five years.

The Adams previously hosted a former Westover exchange student, Charlotte Wu, who stayed with the family for six months until she graduated from high school. She is now attending college in Pennsylvania.

“When they first stayed with us, it was noticeable that they were getting homesick, but after time spent together, they’re becoming part of the family,” said Adams.

As one can imagine, Adams’ life changed drastically when her family began hosting exchange students.

“It’s interesting to see the cultural diversity between us, although, I’m used to being an only child so the attention from my parents changed once we started having a house full of people.”

Her family also tries to make the exchange students feel at home while living in a foreign country.

“My mom makes Chinese food every night for dinner and rarely do we have American food,” said Adams.

Zheng and Zhang are both in the Westover marching band and take music classes. Additionally, Zheng is on the basketball team and Chen is in the art club.

“When the exchange students came to America, they adapted and made friends quickly. They speak English well and so their peers accepted them like any other students.”

Not only do the exchange students benefit from living with Adams, but she benefits from having them at home.

“We help each other with our school work. They’ll help me with math and I’ll help with English. They help around the house with chores and feeding the animals, and Vicki even picks me up from school,” said Adams.

Since hosting Zhang, Zheng, and Chen, the Adams family has taken many trips to China.  Carrie’s mother is originally from China and they visit her family as well as the students’ families. During the summer, the three students go back home to be with their families and then the families will come visit and stay with the Adams family during spring break.

The program the students are with require the host family to provide clothes and three meals a day. They are also responsible for paying for any extracurricular activities, school fees, and lunch money. For housing, students must have their own bedrooms.

The program allows a family to host up to five students at a time. Adams’ family hopes to receive another foreign exchange student soon. Her parents would like to host another male student to even out the numbers between girls and boys.

The Adams family has been very welcoming and supportive of these students, and now they’re like family. It may have taken a while to get the hang of things, but the family loves the students as their own and wouldn’t want it any other way.

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