Families in the Tamaqua area are needed to host exchange students for the upcoming school year.

Educatius is seeking two or three local families to host a female student and a male student from Vietnam, and a male student from South Korea.

All will attend Marian Catholic High School. Last year, five exchange students lived in Tamaqua through the Educatius program.

Host families will receive a monthly stipend to help cover expenses. Educatius officials said hosting an international student is an experience that fosters lifelong friendships, cultural understanding and a sense of global connection.

“It’s truly the opportunity of a lifetime — for both the students and the families who open their hearts and homes,” Patricia Schmidt, of Educatius, said.

Anyone with a welcoming heart and a spare room can apply, including retirees, empty nesters, single parents and couples with or without children.

Those unable to commit to hosting for a full school year can still help by becoming a welcome host family for a maximum of eight weeks. The arrangement allows the student to begin their program, and it gives Educatius time to find a more permanent host family for the remainder of the year.

For more information or to apply to be a host family, call Schmidt at 857-210-7799 or email her at patricia.schmidt@educatius.org.

Those who would like to be considered for future opportunities are also encouraged to apply.