Agency looking to place more foreign exchange students around Si - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Being a foreign exchange student can mean a world of exciting opportunities, a chance to see new countries and learn new cultures.

One large group of students has packed their bags and is ready to come to America, but there may be a shortage of families for them to stay with.

The Education First Foundation of Siouxland has taken on 500 extra students for the fall semester, because another agency was shut down by the U.S. State Department. They're hoping that they can get as many students placed as possible before the school year gets ramped up.

"It's a time crunch to get them in, and then a numbers situation because all of these students are now on us to get placed," said John Frazier of the Education First Foundation.

Frazier says students have been waiting a long time to get the chance to study in America.

He says if they can't get the host families, those trips might be put on hold, or canceled.

A few of the students shared why so many of their peers want to come to the United States.

"I really want to travel to different states in America," said Stephanie Gann of Bunbury, Australia. "And meeting new people and just really growing as a person."

"To live in America because, you know, to live the dream and I'm just really excited to be here," said Deborah Fluhmann of Bern, Switzerland.

The Education First Foundation has placed more than 3,000 students in the past year. You can learn more about becoming a host family by clicking here.