Getting to Know the Cummins

Name of Family: Ben and Laura Cummins

City, State: Baltimore, MD

Hosting Length: 3 Years

How has hosting a student changed your life?

Hosting an international student has given us a new perspective on family life and culture in another country and how much that can differ from the way we live in America. It has given our family an opportunity to understand the family values of another culture while strengthening our own.

Funniest Host Parent Moment?

One of our host students had just moved in and came up to us and asked if we could get “snakes”. Freaked out by snakes, we said no. He said he was hungry and we all realized he meant “snacks”. Still a memory we joke about today!

Best advice for other host parents?

Don’t expect your student to behave and interact with your family in the same way as American children. Be open to the experience and do not have expectations of what your student should be like or how they should act. Their way of life and culture in their home country is so different than ours in America; so embrace your student, leave your expectations at the door, and enjoy the hosting experience!

A big thank you goes out to our
2016-2017 host families!

Every month Twinn Palms will feature a host family discussing aspects of their personal hosting experience. Would you or a host family you know like to be featured? Featured families will get their story featured in our newsletter and shared on the public Twinn Palms blog.

To nominate yourself or another family, please send a Host family nomination email to: info@twinnpalms.com

Be sure to include the last name of the family, city of the host family residence, and why this family is an outstanding Twinn Palms host family.

‍