‘It’s just really heartbreaking’: PH International’s postponed spring exchange program will see fewer numbers due to U.S. travel ban imposed back in June

BUT WE’RE TOLD NO PERSONAL PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. AN INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM THAT BRINGS KIDS FROM FAR AWAY PLACES TO THE GREEN MOUNTAINS, IS DEALING WITH A MAJOR ROADBLOCK. LAST MONTH…THE U-S IMPOSED SOME TRAVEL BANS. ONE OF THEM…IS KEEPING SOME OF THESE YOUNG STUDENTS FROM MAKING THE TRIP HERE. NBC 5’S JACKSON STOEVER JOINS US LIVE with an update to a story we shared this spring. JACKSON…HOW MANY KIDS IS THIS IMPACTING? BRIAN, LIZ… I’M TOLD AT LEAST A DOZEN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS… WILL NOW BE MISSING OUT ON THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME. VALERIE WOOD-LEWIS IS NO STRANGER TO LIVING EVERY YEAR…SHE AND HER HUSBAND, MICHAEL HOST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM FAR AWAY PLACES. IT’S SOMETHING SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO. P-H INTERNATIONAL IN WAITSFIELD PAIRS ááDOZENS OF STUDENTS UP WITH HOST FAMILIES ACROSS VERMONT… GIVING KIDS LIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES…THE PACIFIC ISLANDS AND MYANMAR…AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE U-S CUSTOMS AT A YOUNG AGE. BUT NOT EVERYONE GETS TO MAKE THE TRIP THIS YEAR. LAST MONTH…THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IMPOSED TRAVEL BANS ON A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. IT MEANS áá12 KIDS WON’T MAKE THE TRIP that THEY’VE BEEN PLANNING AND LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR OVER A YEAR. FOR THOSE STILL ABLE TO TRAVEL TO THE U-S… THEY’LL BE TOURING THE VERMONT STATEHOUSE… VISIT BOSTON… AND EVEN TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE NBC 5 NEWSROOM. BUT ORGANIZERS ARE HOPEFUL THAT THEY’LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS STUCK AT HOME. THEY’RE STILL LOOKING FOR HOST FAMILIES. IF YOU’RE INTERESTED..

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Valerie Wood-Lewis is no stranger to living in a full house. Every year, she and her husband, Michael host international students from far away places. It is something she looks forward to.”We have hosted through many different programs. It’s one of our favorite things to do as a family,” Wood-Lewis said.PH International in Waitsfield pairs dozens of students up with host families across Vermont, giving kids living in the Philippines, the Pacific Islands and Myanmar an opportunity to experience U.S. customs at a young age.”When you have the in-person contact with people from other parts of the world, it really builds trust and peace across the world because we’re really all the same and we need time together to see that,” Wood-Lewis said.But not everyone gets to make the trip this year. Last month, the Trump administration imposed travel bans on a number of countries.”Myanmar is one of the countries that’s restricted in traveling to the U.S.,” said PH International executive director Meg Harris. “There’s really no wiggle room in that.” It means 12 kids will not make the trip that they have been planning and looking forward to for over a year.”Their families’ hopes are pinned on it, it’s really just heartbreaking. I can’t even imagine,” Wood-Lewis said.For those still able to travel to the U.S., they will be touring the Vermont statehouse, visiting Boston and even taking a stroll through the NBC5 newsroom. Organizers are hopeful that they will be able to provide a virtual experience for the students stuck at home.PH International is still looking for host families. If you are interested, head to their website.