We've got all our students assigned, and have our hosts- now we just wait, with great anticipation, meeting our new international friends.

We've got 4 students from China, 3 from Japan, and 3 from South Korea. Some are a little nervous about their English skills (which I assure them will be better than our Chinese, Japanese and/or Korean skills.:) Some are nervous about having pets in the house, as that is not something they do in their cultures. Some plan on going to graduate school in the US, some are here for just a few months. Our students range from 19-32 yr old- a bit of a wide range, but we've had wider.:)

It is clear from the bios that our students have sent that they love their hometowns and are very proud of their home countries. At least 2 have said theirs is the prettiest part of their country- yet they live in different areas in the same country.:)

We've got a full two weeks for them- 2 overnights- one in San Antonio and one at our lakehouse, following a tamalada. We want to expose them to as much of Texas as we can-both the myths and the truths. From the Alamo to the Bob Bullock History of Texas Museum, to the State Capitol and LBJ's home- they'll get a wide range in terms of history (myths and truths)- it is up to us to open our homes and hearts to them to build our bridges of peace and friendship.

Today at the meeting of the Austin table of the Pan American Round Table, I led the "Collect"- part of it says this: "Teach us that through knowledge we gain understanding, and that understanding leads to friendship, and through friendship comes peace." Although this is from a group that fosters relations with Latin America, it also describes our CIH program perfectly.