Family continues tradition of hosting foreign exchange students

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – A Decatur County family is continuing their long tradition of welcoming foreign exchange students into their home. 

Teresa and Tom Metz have been a host family since 2008 and have welcomed students into their home from more than 15 countries. 

They got involved after Teresa overcame cancer and traveled to Europe for the first time. 

“It was shocking to be in a different country and at that point I realized I didn’t want my kids to grow up closeminded,” Teresa says. 

The family began hosting students while their kids were still in school and have kept the tradition going. 

“Our children have since married with multiple exchange student students coming back for each wedding,” Teresa said. 

18-year-old Leonie Clemente, from Italy, has been living with them this year and attends North Decatur. 

Clemente said she wanted to be Indiana and her love for cooking and basketball made her a perfect fit for the Metz family. 

“I have really enjoyed it here and am also glad to be at North Decatur. With it being a small school it’s been easy to make friends, especially with me playing volleyball and basketball,” Clemente said. 

The Metz family says exchange students help them as well as others gain a better understanding of the world beyond Decatur County. 

“There are students at North Decatur who may never leave the United States. I want to give those kids the opportunity to expand their horizons and be subjected to others who aren’t from here,” she said. 

They are hoping more local families consider being a host to foreign exchange students. 

Teresa now serves as a regional director for EF Exchange Year, which is an organization that connects American families to international students. 

She has helped oversee the placement of more than 1,000 foreign exchange students in the area. 

“Hosting an exchange student isn't about having a perfect house, a perfect schedule, or a perfect family. It's about opening your door and making room for something extraordinary. And trust me — as someone who has hosted — it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do,” she said. 

Leonie is also encouraging her peers in other countries to consider Southeast Indiana for a one-year placement. 

“You have to be open-minded, especially Europeans because we think American high school is like what we see in the movies, but that is not the case,” she said. 

She will return to Italy later this month and plans to attend college and pursue a degree in an international-related field. 

Over the years, the Metz family has hosted students from Spain, Germany, France, Japan, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Poland, Mexico and The Netherlands.