Pictured is Belmont’s Becky Delacher with Rockford-area exchange students.
Rebecca (Becky) Delacher of Belmont was chosen as recipient of the national Area Representative of the Year Award by International Student Exchange (ISE) at a conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ISE is a respected and established nonprofit organization that places hundreds of foreign students in American high schools each year.
“Becky is just so dedicated, so passionate about her job,” said Mary Miller, ISE’s regional manager. “I’ve been with this company since 1992 and only once or twice has a Michigan representative been chosen for this honor.”
Becky is a regional advisor and area representative for ISE and has been involved with student exchange for 10 years while placing at Rockford High School as well as other schools in the metropolitan area. In selecting the recipient of this award, ISE looks for a representative who has excelled in supporting the exchange students, the schools they attend, and the host families.
“For the area representative, the exchange experience is much more than just finding a host family for the student,” said Miller. “Becky is dedicated to making sure that everyone involved in the student’s placement has a rewarding and memorable experience.”
Over the past years, Becky has placed more than 150 students from many countries around the world with families in the greater Grand Rapids area. “It is a real honor that not just the schools and students she works with know how deserving she is, but also the New York office recognizes the quality of work she does,” added Miller.
ISE sponsors a cultural exchange based program, during which hundreds of foreign students are introduced to America every year. Host families open their homes to foreign students, sharing traditions, learning new customs, and introducing the student to our community and country. The students become part of the family, and usually keep in touch after they return home. Most families find that hosting is a wonderful experience.
Those interested in information about hosting a foreign exchange student should contact Miller at (800) 378-9395 in Grand Rapids.
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