Anonymous wrote:

Also, how about kayaking on the Potomac?

Yeah, no. Don't place other peoples children in such danger. How would you feel if you sent your child abroad and someone took them out to paddle in a swirling, swamp vortex in 100 degree weather? Countless experienced boaters drown without a trace in that river--stay out it if you don't know what you're doing.

This is really random, but if you have a dog and your student seems to like animals, you might consider visiting a dog park. We have a dog and often go to the dog parks, and we invited one of the students we hosted to come along. She got such a kick out of it, and I'm sure she told her friends and family how silly it was.


I think this would only amuse someone from a developing country--I think they would be amused or maybe disgusted to see the extent to which we hysterically pamper our pet animals here.

Anonymous wrote:definitely baseball game and segway tour

excellent suggestions

Just a heads up--Bowlmor in Bethesda is ridik expensive! Bowling shoe rental, lane rental and food for a family of 5 was over $200 with 3 teens for us. I felt so ripped off when the bill came.

Anonymous wrote:how about the Air and Space Museum and Udvar Hazy? http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/

The American History, Spy, and Newseum Museums would also good.

Also, the Capitol, Washington Monument, Tysons' Corner Shopping mall...?

so, so boring

Anonymous wrote:Field trip to a real Walmarts is mandatory. You can combine that with the shopping previous PP mentioned.

Personally, I have never been to one (live in DC) but it carries huge mystique for all the Europeans I know (who are shocked I've never been to one).

Also, how about kayaking on the Potomac?

DC has 2 or 3 Walmarts...that wouldn't be an excuse for not going.

Field trip to a real Walmarts is mandatory. You can combine that with the shopping previous PP mentioned.

Personally, I have never been to one (live in DC) but it carries huge mystique for all the Europeans I know (who are shocked I've never been to one).

Also, how about kayaking on the Potomac?

definitely baseball game and segway tour

ITA with 22:19 (and with an earlier PP who recommended finding out where the program takes the kids so you don't duplicate -- we've avoided obvious tourist stuff the first weekend for that reason and focussed more on going native. Often the students don't really know their itineraries until the first full weekday).

The first exchange we did we asked the open-ended "what would you like to do while you're here" question and the answer was "attend an NBA play-off game!" Closest one was over 1,000 miles away at that point and tickets, if they could be obtained would have been frightfully expensive. Moral of the story is "here" may mean "in the U.S." and your visitor may have no idea of distance/cost/feasibility. After that experience, we've started with a list and asked about which things on it sounded most fun/interesting.

Anonymous wrote:I would simply ask them what they wanted to do. I'm sure they have a list of must dos.

It's a good idea to ask, but I disagree that you can count on getting this info from the student, especially right away. Depending on the culture the student comes from, it might be very rude to "tell" a host family where you take you. If the student were staying for a long time, then it might be reasonable to expect him or her to ask to see certain things after you all get more comfortable with each other, but in my experience hosting students for shorter terms, it can be awkward at first, and the students usually don't want to see overly demanding. They're also jet-lagged and overwhelmed!

I would certainly ask but would also have a list of suggestions. You'll be able to get a good sense of what the kid seems really interested in vs. what he or she is just going along with. Then again, sometimes it's hard for a kid to know what might be really awesome, and they might end up loving something they never would have asked to do.

This is really random, but if you have a dog and your student seems to like animals, you might consider visiting a dog park. We have a dog and often go to the dog parks, and we invited one of the students we hosted to come along. She got such a kick out of it, and I'm sure she told her friends and family how silly it was.

I would simply ask them what they wanted to do. I'm sure they have a list of must dos.

OP here. OMG -- I'm so happy I asked you guys. What great ideas! I would never have thought of most of these things. So excited to do a bunch of things we don't usually do (and maybe get a babysitter for a few of them so we can do them sans preschoolers). Thank you!

We just are finishing up hosting an exchange student. She really wanted to learn English well so spent a lot of time with me and my tween kids. She LOVED laser tag. Tubing was a hit. Shopping -- she could have been happy doing that every day Movies. Smithsonian.

If you are looking for a quick trip-- GREAT WOLF LODGE (or any similar water park)-- great for kids of all ages.

Op don't be too surprised if this exchange student views time w/you and your family as an obligation with a preference for "not". 50/50 chance of this. Agreed, they may more than enough plans of their own.

First find out from the sponsor group what activities are already planned. Some of these programs keep them quite busy. Once they arrive you may find they have friends doing the same exchange nearby and have already made lots of plans. Just sayin ~