A grand exchange

Family hosts students

MOSES LAKE — Norwegian resident Joergen Hansen, 18, said he is struck by American culture, such as the tradition of reciting the flag salute every morning at school.

Hansen said he is also adapting to fast food.

The Moses Lake High School student is staying with a host family in Moses Lake until the end of the school year.

Lee Ethington, Cindy Ethington and their son Harry Ethington are hosting Hansen. He is the sixth student the family hosted over several years.

"I like to get to know the kids from other countries," Lee Ethington said. "Everybody's different, just like each one of our kids in our family is different."

"Meeting new people is always fun for me," said Harry Ethington, 18. "Through this person I've learned a lot about different cultures."

Hansen is learning a lot about America too. He said he learned not to trust students his age because they enjoy gossiping so much. He gets asked strange questions, such as whether Norway has trees.

"They think they still live in these cottages, in small igloos, and they hunt for a living," Hansen said jokingly.

Ninety percent of the time, students simply want to know how to swear in Norwegian.

The strong patriotism is one noticeable trait of American culture, he said. Norwegians only take out their flags once each year. Another difference between cultures is the amount of junk food Americans consume.

"It's always fast food, every day," he said.

Cindy Ethington said getting to know the host students enriches her life. Two of the students the family hosted were from Brazil, and three were from Japan. The first time the family hosted a student was in 1987.

"Beyond getting to know the individual, I felt that I have expanded my knowledge of the world," Cindy Ethington said.

The students have been grateful for their stay, and none have been problematic, she said.

Ethington helps find new host families in the area through the American Scholastic Association International. She estimated at least 50 students are looking for families.

The 26 students she supervises through the program attend both private and public school.

For more information, call Cindy Ethington at 509-764-1922 or 509-760-2914.