Did you ever think about hosting an exchange student?

I volunteer for AFS (formerly American Field Service) and live in Brooklyn. If you like the idea of adding a teenager from another country to your family's life for a school year or a semester, I'd be very happy to talk to you about this and answer your questions. I've been with AFS for 28 years and a Brooklyn resident for 29 years. You can send me a private message or check the website http://www.afs.org for information.

we had an AFS student stay with us for a year when i (an only child, otherwise) was 15 or so. i really wanted to do it, and my mother said we could apply if i did all the paperwork.

it was a fantastic experience, and i think my parents enjoyed it, too.

i'd highly recommend hosting.