links for children. Do a search under Embassy of
(insert country name).
2. The CIA World Factbook and the US Department
of State’s Background Notes both provide
detailed demographic and political information.
3. Library of Congress Country Studies examine
how cultural factors shape political, economic
and social institutions in a number of countries.
Though the information is not updated annually,
the discussion of cultural factors is still
relevant.
••Meet resource people in the community. The
community college Campus Coordinator may be able
to help families locate some resource people in the
community who are willing to discuss their experiences
as exchange participants. Such individuals may include
current international exchange students, former
American exchange students, and current or former
host families.
••Read a book on American culture. The family should
become aware of who they are. As a product of their
own culture, it is helpful to learn about what makes
Americans different from other people. Some values
that make Americans different that we often take
for granted are: punctuality, hard work, success,
achievement, competition, material goods, openness,
honesty, frankness, volunteer spirit, helping others,
fast-pace of life, and informality. The student, on the
other hand, \