Advertisement The former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate student from Hong Kong embraced her host father so tightly during her first visit back to the States that their connection was evident.
Ivy and her husband, Sam, and their two children, 11-year-old Le-An and 13-year-old Jin-An, returned late last month to visit their former host family, Nancy and David Goode.
Ivy and Sam were in the United States from 1993-97, enough time for Ivy to earn a master’s degree in public health and Sam to earn an master’s degree in business administration at UW-L. During their time here, Le-An and Jin-An were born.
David and Nancy, who are involved in a volunteer organization called La Crosse Friends of International Students, helped the Ho family with daily life. They recall holding the newborns in the hospital and later baby-sitting them. The girls grew up calling Nancy and David “grandma” and “grandpa.”
They helped the family to understand American life and culture, Sam said.
“It is not just about studies, but about people,” said Ivy.
When Ivy and Sam went back to Hong Kong, they kept in touch with the Goodes through phone calls and letters.
Long-term bonds like these are not at all unusual among host families and students, said Richard Smith, president of La Crosse Friends of International Students.
The organization pairs college students from other nations with host families; however, students do not live with host families. The goal is to simply form friendships with each other by getting together, Smith said.
“We want students to see what life is like here, and we want to learn about their countries,” Smith said.
The organization currently has about 180 host families, but not all are active, Smith said. They will be especially in need of host families this coming academic year, with a total of 420 international students expected at the city’s three colleges, Smith said.
Ivy and Sam and the girls have enjoyed seeing La Crosse again. Le-An and Jin-An were so young they have no real memories of the place where they were born, Sam said.
“We brought them here to ... make it become a reality,” said Sam.
And, of course, to see grandma and grandpa, whom they’ve missed very much, said Ivy.
David was glad they came.
“We get more out of it than we give,” he said.
To learn more about the program or to sign up as a host family, call UW-L’s International Student Office at (608) 785-8016.
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
