Clifton Chestnut, former Portland resident and education reporter at The Oregonian is traveling back to Portland this summer with a group of young Spaniards. The Spanish students will divide their time between homestays and a program of English classes and activities. Mr. Chestnut is seeking families who would be interested in hosting the students for their time in Portland. Mr. Chestnut now lives in Spain and is collaborating with a language company called Grammata Servicios Lingüisticos in Madrid.  

From Mr. Chestnut: “Grammata has been organizing student exchange programs for Spanish youths for more than two decades.  I am looking for up to 20 Portland-area families to host Spanish students, roughly ages 16 to 19, arriving in Portland on Monday, June 30, 2008, and departing from Portland on Tuesday, July 29, 2008.  We are seeking families with teens or young adults still living at home, who could offer room and a majority of meals during the program, plus transportation to a few social gatherings.  The students will be provided Tri-Met passes and will attend English classes in downtown Portland for part of the day.  Our program is offering stipends of approximately $300 to defray some of the costs incurred by the host families.  All of these students speak English, and hope to improve their language skills while experiencing American culture.  Many thanks in advance for your consideration. Un saludo.”  

Any family that is planning to be in the Portland area this summer and is interested in participating may contact Mr. Chestnut via email and include a telephone number where he may contact you (include the best times to phone, Pacific Time). He would like to have families confirmed by May 30 at the absolute latest.  Contact information: Clifton R. Chestnut, Coordinator, Portland English Immersion Program, Grammata Servicios Lingüisticos, Madrid, Spain, email: cliftonchestnut@yahoo.com or Mobile international: 011 34 628 207 908.