ERDT Share is an organization that helps foreign exchange students from across the world find homes in the United States.
Tracy Barney is the local Share’s coordinator who can place students in homes within 120 miles of where she lives, as long as the local high schools have room for the extra students.
Barney said she is going into her 22nd year of housing foreign exchange students. For her, it all began in 2003 when someone reached out to her looking for last-minute placements.
“We decided that we would take this young man from Taiwan,” Barney said. “School had already started; he was 15 when he arrived here. That was the beginning of our experience, and I decided that I wanted to be part of helping these kids come over here. Our family has hosted over 33 of our own and we’ve kept in touch with a lot of them and it is just a great experience.”
Jennifer Barzee, a Madison School District teacher, who has also hosted students, said she has seen positive shifts in her classrooms when exchange students join them.
“In the schools, I see that it changes the feeling in a classroom and helps other local students to just, open their eyes and hearts to the rest of the world,” Barzee “And that student brings in all different kinds of perspectives, it’s just very enriching.”
Theresa and Dan Willis have been hosting students as well. Theresa was an exchange student herself and wants to give other students the same opportunity and in a positive environment. She said the memories and experiences they all share make them feel like real family members.
“I think it’s really rewarding,” Theresa Willis said. “It’s the best kind of sad to be because you know they have to go back, they know they have to go back. And you just go through this whole year together and you’ve just created so many memories.”
Barney is currently looking to place students if interested you can learn more about ERDT Share by visiting their site here or by emailing Barney directly at TracyBarney69@gmail.com.
To hear more stories and input, listen to the full interview with Tracy Barney and her friends, go to BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.