Home Away From Home
If you were to ask Debbi and Barry McReynolds about their kids, they will happily tell you about all 26 of them scattered across the globe. Since 2011, the couple have welcomed foreign exchange students in their home every single year. With biological kids moved out and in their early 30s, they have missed the energy that teenagers bring to their home. Now, the McReynolds’ host Nacho and Aiden, their latest guests from Spain and Germany. The students are a little over halfway into their 10 month stay in the United States, set to return to their families shortly after the academic year ends.
Debbi works as an Academic Coordinator for Cultural Homestay International. She places foreign exchange students in Russellville, Ky. and the greater Logan County area. Barry is a math teacher at Logan County High School where Nacho and Aiden go to school.
Debbi works as an Academic Coordinator for Cultural Homestay International. She places foreign exchange students in Russellville, Ky. and the greater Logan County area. Barry is a math teacher at Logan County High School where Nacho and Aiden go to school.
The McReynolds’ little home in Russellville, Ky. has been the home for 26 exchange students since 2011. A wall in the entryway is dedicated to souvenirs their kids bring them from their home countries.
The McReynolds’ dinner table belonged to Debbi’s grandmother who passed in 2003. The table hosted dinner for every exchange student that has come through the doors. “No matter where you come from, we all have dinner at a table every night,” Debbi said.
The McReynolds settle down for a dinner of Chinese hot pot after a long week. Since hosting exchange students, Debbi and Barry have made an effort to try cuisines from different countries their kids come from. This is Aiden and Nacho's first time trying hot pot.
Nacho, Aiden, and Barry attend the boys’ first college basketball game in Diddle Arena. While in the U.S., the boys do as many “American” activities as they can. “I don’t really understand the rules, but I like it,” Aiden said.
