One of the components of our athletic and activities program that makes it exciting is that students may have the opportunity to travel. Many of our trips for SAISA and ASIAC sports as well as some of the arts and activities programs is that the students stay in someone's home instead of a hotel. The immediate benefit to families is that this keeps costs down making travel much more affordable. The flip side of that is that we also have to do a fair bit of hosting when others travel to Chennai.
While it is easy to see the financial benefit of a free place to stay, there are big benefits even to those that are providing hosting. One is that you and your children have a connection to another team or group. I have a son that has made friends from many of the schools we compete with. By the end of a long and intense weekend they are exchanging social media connections and asking about any events they may have in common the next year. Plus, as a parent, going to a performance or a game will have even more significance when you can cheer for the accomplishments of even more students, even if they are on the opposing team. Admittedly, some interactions are awkward. There was a lot of nervous energy in my car one morning when headed to the school just before my son and the students we hosted played a soccer game against each other. It was the healthy kind of tension though -- a moment that my son will probably feel in the future when there is awkward tension. It was a moment I know helped him develop character. He had to share his breakfast, car ride and family's attention with someone about to be the enemy on the field. But he was graceful about it.
Some drawbacks that some might feel prevent them from hosting is limited space in your home or apartment, transportation difficulties, not having adequate beds, or being uncomfortable with feeding visiting students, and possibly language, religious or other differences. We get it. So we're interested in figuring out how we can eliminate as many of these obstacles or concerns. If you're hesitant to host, ask parents that have hosted or a student that has been hosted about their experience. I can almost guarantee that they will have positive memories and be willing to share suggestions.
While it is easy to see the financial benefit of a free place to stay, there are big benefits even to those that are providing hosting. One is that you and your children have a connection to another team or group. I have a son that has made friends from many of the schools we compete with. By the end of a long and intense weekend they are exchanging social media connections and asking about any events they may have in common the next year. Plus, as a parent, going to a performance or a game will have even more significance when you can cheer for the accomplishments of even more students, even if they are on the opposing team. Admittedly, some interactions are awkward. There was a lot of nervous energy in my car one morning when headed to the school just before my son and the students we hosted played a soccer game against each other. It was the healthy kind of tension though -- a moment that my son will probably feel in the future when there is awkward tension. It was a moment I know helped him develop character. He had to share his breakfast, car ride and family's attention with someone about to be the enemy on the field. But he was graceful about it.
Some drawbacks that some might feel prevent them from hosting is limited space in your home or apartment, transportation difficulties, not having adequate beds, or being uncomfortable with feeding visiting students, and possibly language, religious or other differences. We get it. So we're interested in figuring out how we can eliminate as many of these obstacles or concerns. If you're hesitant to host, ask parents that have hosted or a student that has been hosted about their experience. I can almost guarantee that they will have positive memories and be willing to share suggestions.
