Ep 235 Celiac Students and International Exchange

September 7, 2022 /

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

During my recent conversation with Ellen Bayens of theceliacscene.com, she introduced me to Karen Joseph who works for ASSE, an international student exchange program based in the US.  One of Karen’s responsibilities is to find host families for incoming students who require a special diet for health needs.  Karen is uniquely qualified for this task as she is the mother of a now adult son with Type I Diabetes and Celiac Disease.  She understands the gluten free diet and spoke to me of the importance of finding host families who are prepared to support a student with celiac disease.  Karen has lots of stories of the students she has placed and how they made the gluten free diet work for them in a new country, hosted by a new family. 

If you are interested in hosting a student from abroad, or have a student at home who may be interested in studying abroad, you can find out more information at –

ASSE International Student Exchange

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

As I mentioned during the podcast, I’ve met with lots of parents of celiac children.  It goes without saying that we all want the best for our kids.  “The Best” takes as many different forms as there are families.  Increasingly, families are trying to give their kids a view of the world that’s bigger than their own neighbourhood, or city, or even country.

I was fortunate to have travelled with my family as a child and young adult.  I still vividly remember things I saw on trips when I was quite young.  The urge to travel, to see new things and experience new cultures was something I have always enjoyed.  After my husband I were married, he took a job in Bermuda.  We were both so excited for everything we’d learn and experience.  Both of our daughters were born in Bermuda and have fond memories of living there. 

Living in a different place and immersing yourself in a new to you culture is something that takes time and acceptance.  You must be prepared to accept the culture and traditions of a new place, and the people from your host country should be accepting of you and willing to share their country and themselves with you.  Our growing family spent fifteen years in Bermuda.  Looking back, I can see that it took us years to truly fall in love with Bermuda, its residents and its way of life.

What I can see from the student exchange programs I’ve done research on through my podcasting is that all the time and effort it took us to become familiar with a new culture is part of the formula built into exchange programs.  We learned a great deal from our Bermudian friends, just as a student will learn from a host family.  We made an effort, to see and experience the sites and history of our new Island, just as a student will, while accompanying their host family on short trips during the school year.  We fell in love with the Island and its people.  Just as I’m sure exchange students whether coming to your country or travelling abroad with develop affection for their host country which will last for the rest of their lives.  My family and I are richer and more well-rounded because of the time we spent in Bermuda, just as international exchange students will be from their experiences.