WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — A.S.S.E. brings international students to the United States, and they're looking for more host families in central Georgia.
On Sunday, international students from around the world met up in Warner Robins at Little Sweeties Cakery to share their cultures and encourage others to host students like them.
One of them was 17-year-old Tommaso Molinari from Italy.
He's far from home, but for Molinari, studying in America is something he's always had his eye on.
"My sister already did this experience ten years ago, so for me it was like I want to do it because my sister was super excited about this experience," Molinari said.
And for Molinari, it's indeed been an experience like nothing else.
He and other exchange students from cultures like Brazil, Hong Kong, and Spain shared parts of their culture with a crowd that gathered at Little Sweeties Cakery. They also shared what they liked about the American culture.
"The thing I most enjoy the most is probably like the sports at U.S. school. Because we don't do like after school sports and after school activities. So, for example, I'm doing chess club, and that is amazing for me," Molinari said.
An ambassador for A.S.S.E. also went over what host families can expect who sign up.
She encouraged everyone to consider signing up, whether they're empty nesters or have a big family already.
She said the main three requirements for host families are feeding their students, getting them to school, and giving them a place to sleep.
Andre and Tachunta Thomas decided to become host parents for Molinari after coming back from a trip to Italy recently.
"We got an opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of Italy, and it was absolutely beautiful. We loved everything about it," Tachunta Thomas said.
She said it's been a big blessing learning even more about Italy from a local who's become part of their family.
"It's been a great opportunity for us, and it just sort of reinforces the fact that regardless of where you're from, we have so much more in common than we have different," she said.
International students from all grade levels can stay in the U.S. for an entire school year.
If you're interested in becoming a host family for an international student, you can find more information at this link, and you can visit Little Sweeties Bakery and ask for local ambassador J. White. You can also call Little Sweeties Bakery at (478) 254-0766.