You will have an opportunity to visit two states: Kansas and Missouri because Kansas City’s metropolitan area spans across 40 miles, two states and has a population of over 1.2 million residents.  It is the largest city in Kansas and second largest city in Missouri.  Kansas City has superb art and music institutions/organizations as well as major league teams (the Chiefs and Royals).  The city has many higher institutions of learning including excellent medical and technical schools.  Kansas City is also the birthplace of many Jazz artists and we definitely will include Jazz on your schedule.  We are close to the Kansas State capital, Topeka and the University of Kansas, home of the Jayhawkers.

We have lots of activities planned including visiting the Plaza (one of the first outdoor shopping districts in the country built in the 1920s). The Plaza is decorated with over 80,000 lights at Christmas. We will also visit museums of art, history, sports and even a tour of the Harley Davidson plant where they assemble the famous motorcycles. We will visit a TV station and watch an evening news broadcast from behind the camera. We have an outing planned to learn how our legal system works, visit with a judge and watch a trial.  You will have opportunities to see how the community works to help those less fortunate.. Students each year enjoy just “hanging out” together in our homes listening to music, playing cards and learning about each others countries.

Village Presbyterian Church and several other churches in the metropolitan area have joined together to welcome you in their homes and to share the joy of Christmas with their families. The students each year make Christmas so special and there are memories (many recorded in pictures) that will forever be treasured. Each year we find it difficult to say good-bye to the students and we have kept in touch with many of them.

Your evenings will include time with your family, as well as dinners out including a pizza party and Kansas City’s most famous cuisine, barbecue. A favorite is International Night at which you are invited to prepare your favorite dish from your country to share with all of the host families. Please bring your favorite recipes, pictures and even attire from your home country to share.

While you are visiting Kansas City the host families and churches will provide your transportation, meals and entrance fees for group excursions.  You may want to have some spending money for shopping.

The weather will range from cool to cold. (the wake up temperature can range from 10 to 30 degrees)  with a high of 30 to 50 degrees during the day.  Ice, snow is also a possibility so warm socks and boots or heavy shoes are recommended.

Our closest airport is Kansas City International and we will provide transportation to and from.

We hope you will come and enjoy our hospitality and fellowship.   We look forward to meeting you, introducing you to our city, but most of all getting to know you and sharing the holidays with you.

 

Program Size	15  students
Program Type	Home Stay
Accommodations	Singles- male and female
Dress	warm
Suggested cash for optional personal expenses	Spending money for souvenirs
Program Dates	December 17, 2007 to January 2, 2008
Airport	MCI Kansas City International
Train Depot
Bus Depot
Driving Directions	On request
Weather Forecast	Cool to cold – 10-50 degrees
Local Attractions	Plaza Lights, Jazz Museum, Nelson Art Gallery, Harley Davidson Motorcycle Plant tour, Liberty Memorial, KMBC-TV news broadcast tour, Jackson County Courthouse trial and legal system, Steamboat Arabia, Miniature Museum and many others.