Chinese exchange students successfully arrive in Santa Maria

In a flurry of nerves and excitement, 30 Chinese students set foot in Santa Maria on Friday with the program Cultural Homestay International. Awaiting them – their new host families. “We’ve been hosting since 1987 and at this point I have lost count of how many students we’ve actually had – it’s well over 30,” says host Sheila Bowler. But not everyone is as experienced as Bowler. “My daughter sent me a link to the website today on KCOY and I didn’t think it was gonna happen.. I just thought well if they still need help I would be happy to help and she got right back to me and boom – a couple hours later here I am.. So I’m very excited,” says new host Christy Decker. Now Decker will be hosting four girls from China but she says she’s used to having a house full of girls. “Both my daughters and two granddaughters live with me so it’ll be a house full of females so I’m looking forward to that.. I like to hear them giggling,” she says. Some of these students almost had to stay in hotels but luckily numerous families volunteered just hours earlier. “Thank you just isn’t enough – they are awesome – and they literally saved the day like mighty mouse,” says Academic Program Administrator Dorothy Whitefield. Now these students will be able to experience life in the U.S. for the first time. “I want to be like one of the members in their family and to live with them, to have a good time in these four days,” says Chinese exchange student, Mike. “I’m really hoping to just learn about their culture get to know em,” Decker says. The students and families will be having a welcome party Saturday to celebrate the start of the exchange program. They say they’ll give us an update on all of their new adventures when the program ends in two weeks