KELSO — International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), in cooperation with South County high schools, is looking for families to host boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 from a variety of countries.

These include Norway, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Japan, to name a few.

According to ASSE, these students are enthusiastic and excited to experience American culture while they practice their English. They also love to share their own culture and language with their host families.

Selected host families welcome these students into their family, not as a guest, but as a family member, giving everyone involved a rich cultural experience, an ASSE spokeswoman said..

The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. They are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

To become an ASSE host family or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your community, please call the ASSE Western Regional Office in Kelso at 1-800-733-2773 or go to www.host.asse.com to begin your host family application.