BY BETTY ADAMS

Staff Writer

Hosting teens and a teacher from other countries has given Don and Donna McLeod and their sons new perspectives, new friends and new dishes to add to the dinner menu.

This year, Masami Taguchi, of Osaka, Japan, is living with them in their Manchester home.

The McLeods are making arrangements to visit the student they hosted last school year -- Margherita Scazza, of Milan, Italy -- and her family next November.

"We basically love the cultural exchange," Don McLeod said. "The mixing of cultures has been really nice."

All the McLeods' hosting has been through AFS Intercultural Programs. The group is seeking host families for the upcoming school year. AFS, which stands for American Field Service, is an international, voluntary, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that conducts cultural exchange programs, according to its Web site.

The district coordinators, Larry and Stephanie Ralph, have found homes for five students and are seeking seven more.

Larry Ralph said families are asked to provide bed and board for students who will attend the local high school. Students bring their own spending money.

Ralph said half the host families have students around the same age as the exchange student. Other host families are grandparents, childless families, single parents; some live in rural areas and others in towns.

The foreign students participate in graduation ceremonies at the high school.

"I find a lot of people get nervous about the cost," Don McLeod said. "The cost is somewhat minimal. They only real cost is feeding them, because they really are supposed to take care of their own clothing. To add one mouth to the dinner table, quite honestly, is easy. Masami eats a lot less than we do, and other cultures are more thrifty. They don't want to waste anything or throw anything away."

McLeod also picked up some foreign language skills. "I know a little Chinese, a little Italian and a little Japanese," he said.

He also said his sons, Ryan, a junior at Maranacook Community High School; and Stephen, a second-year student at the University of Southern Maine, enjoying being "host brothers."

The McLeods won't be hosting next year. Instead, they will work as liaisons between students and host families.

McLeod said his parents hosted seven students from other countries while he was growing up.

Larry Ralph said 11 AFS students are staying in central Maine this year: two from Japan; two from Thailand; and one each from Germany, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Colombia, Italy and India.

For questions or more information about hosting, call Larry or Stephanie Ralph at 626-0779; or contact them via e-mail at lar ryr.afs@gmail.com.

"We like to have arrangements made as soon as possible," Ralph said. "It's nice to start the relationship as soon as possible."

The Ralphs have been district representatives for 22 years. Stephanie Ralph serves as area chairman.

AFS exchanges more than 11,000 students each year among participating countries, according to its Web site.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com