What is "American culture" - need to show it in Boston are to exchange student from Northeast Spain
 

Not American history or even tourist sites - much of that will be covered in the 9-5 sessions, day trips M-F they will be taking thru month of July.

Stated purpose of exchange is so these HS age students can live with American family and experience American culture (not positive that is what students want - having done shorter exchanges in past, they mostly want to shop)

So we have baseball tickets, will play mini-golf - what else would seem like American culture in Boston area? Thanks

Oh, my, that sounds like fun!

Fast food, Revere Beach, Franklin Park Zoo, skateboarding (look up a shop in the phone book and ask them where to go to watch the talent), doing whatever the local kids do on weekends.

Christmas Tree Shop, Jordan's Furniture, and Costco. They won't know enough to ask to go to places like that but they'll love them; you can find all 3 together in Avon.

If your town has a recycling center, go there -- even better if it's the sort of town where everyone takes their own stuff to the dump and there's a "leave something, take something" emporium. Visit a shelter for abandoned pets.

The Boston Hispanic community is of course mostly from Central and South America, but I'd try to look up a few cultural organizations and see what sorts of festivals or events are planned for July. Or just go shopping in the Hispanic part of Jamaica Plain.

If you take them to church, find an Americanized experience -- for instance, if they're Catholic that would be a folk Mass or a Teen Life Mass. Some Protestant churches have much better and more interesting music than others; whatever is suitable.

I think just being yourselves will expose them to the "American culture" they speak of.

I agree with Starrsville. Having been involved with exchange student industry for 11 years, it seems to me that a teenager is a teenager-regardless of nationality. So, I don't think recycling center, Jordan's furniture, Costco. or Christmas Tree shopping is going to be such a big hit. I think Anonymous was going for that only-in-America would you find enormo-selections-galore shopping experience but I think it would be lost on a visiting teenager.

I also disagree with any Hispanic cultural events. Kids from Spain are Spanish and most likely would be offended by the 'lumping' of cultures simply by the commonality of language (especially if the student is Basque).

Ask the student what they would like to do. And keep it simple. Their expectations are pretty much what you'd expect from a teenager. Hanging out, missing friends, listening to music.....

Thanks for responses so far. Since we also have our own HS age daughter, I am sure they will find teenage things to do. My goal may be to drag them both off the computer and away from the malls for at least part of the time.

Take them to Walmart!

Glad you have Red Sox tickets - that will be the best one. Make sure you explain the rules and some of the lingo before you go so they can follow along.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/of...sics/lingo.jsp

As mentioned, a gospel type church service would be an eye opener.

Take them to a bluegrass concert or some other uniquely American type music show.

Treat them to a dinner at a lobster or crab shack.

I thought Anonymous had excellent suggestions! As Gail notes, teenagers love to shop, and Xmas Tree shops are a pretty good example of affordable American "culture." I also think the Jordan's Furniture with all the hullaballoo and huge movie screens is pretty unique. Skateboarding, Revere Beach... sounds like what Gail is looking for to me.

I love the Bluegrass/American music suggestion. Baseball and mini-golf sound perfect, too.

I also don't have any of my own to offer; just wanted to chime in a "second" for those who did.

I think "hanging out" with people "being themselves" might be pretty disappointing to someone who's already been visiting a month from somewhere so far away.

What a fun thread and great opportunity for the hosts!

I actually vetted my response wtih my 19-year-old daughter (while she was getting ready for work) before posting. As was noted above, teens love shopping and those are uniquely American shopping experiences that could all be visited in one afternoon. My daughter took her college roommate to the Christmas Tree Shop over spring break and it was the hit of the week. And who would expect an IMax theater in a furniture store?!

The idea of visiting a Spanish-speaking community was not only to give the kids a language break but to show them what the immigrant experience in the US is all about -- small enterprises, foods and other connections to home, the fundamental American concept that there's opportunity for everyone. All of us have ancestors who went through that experience at one time or another. If you think the Hispanic connection would offend, then take them to Chinatown!

If in Boston, Filene's Basement!!! Also, what about the beaches on the Cape.

How about a picnic and swimming at some place like Walden Pond? Of course the 4th of July in Boston would be an experience - even better might be a small town parade and festivities, maybe with a bluegrass band, popcorn ,fireworks,etc.

In addition to a baseball game, are there any college football games you could take the student to? Baseball is a fairly international game, but college football with the marching band, cheerleaders and tailgating is pretty uniquely American.

My thought would be to go to a country fair that has a pie-eating contest. I googled to find one in Boston, but the only one that came up is in New Hampshire - it has a tractor pull contest too - sounds like a lot of fun!

http://www.balloonfestival.org/pieandwings.html

Good luck and have a great time! :)

Yankee Homecoming Days are in Newburyport during the time your guests will be here. Big parade, free outdoor concerts every night, goofy events like the Smelliest Sneaker and pie eating contests, firemen's muster, fireworks. check out yankeehomecoming.com

I agree with the idea of showing the immigrant experience to the visitors. It is a huge part of Boston - the Europeans in the past and the Central/South Americans now. There is a festival in Lowell that encourages all ethnic groups to participate - I believe it is the Heritage Festival but not sure on the official name.

What is a Christmas Tree Shop? And why is it open in July?

Make sure some of the shopping is in a mall, for true commercial-American culture.

What are you doing on the 4th? You can do the big-deal fireworks on the Charles, but it seems to me the back-yard barbecue is also pretty solidly American. Make sure you do that, if possible.

But don't by pass non-commercial American culture. Any chance to visit some farms outside of Boston? Like Bennie and Zootsi's ideas best.

LOL, the Christmas Tree Shops started out as a seasonal decorations store and now are a huge chain of large stores that sell everything from seasonal stuff (currently garden tools, teak furniture, Fourth of July party stuff and decorations, etc.) to packaged food, gift wrap, and lamps. A little bit of everything, all of it extremely well-priced. A fun store to go exploring in and especially to buy bargain souvenirs (I'd take the visitors there on July 5).

Just what I was thinking Cassandra, a good old fashioned backyard barbeque, 4th of July would be perfect...

How about Hampton Beach, teens love it. Maybe find a drive-in movie theater, there's one in Mendon, and one in Wellfleet, or the one at Weirs Beach in NH.

Are there any high school or college events happening that you could send them to? So he or she could get exposure to a group event of teens of similar ages? Go to Harvard, Boston U., or Boston College to walk around and get a glimpse of college life, although it's summertiime and would be quieter there might still be students and events going on.

A 4th of July backyard bbq. My family had family friends visit here from Germany and one of their favorite things to do was barbequeing in the backyard. Watermellon was a big hit. They also loved Coronas w/ lime squeezed in them and margaritas. When they were back home they sent us a picture of the red Webber they ordered!

Harvard Square has always been a big favorite w/out of town guests. My late father--who you would not have expected to necessarily "get" it--*loved* the place!!

I agree w/those who have said that just living w/your family is the biggest part of it. I don't know if you are up to it, but it is possible to take a day trip to Martha's Vineyard. We have done it when my niece was here--a long day, but not undoable, depending on where you are starting out...Teens often love the Vineyard.

I don't know if their organized activities will take them to the North End, but I think strolling those streets and telling your guest a little about the history of immigrants in this country is culturally significant. Plus, the North End is entertaining in its own right and does not feel like "homework".

I will add more if more occurs to me...

A drive-in theater would be a great new "American culture" experience even for Americans! Great idea!!!

Skateboarding & "hanging" with other kids.

Skateboard parks are a big plus, but what a lot of kids like is just skateboarding around local areas. I'm not condoning some of their (unintentional) destructive behavior - just pointing out a big part of our youth culture.

The Cape, Newport, beach, beach and more beach.

I knew when I returned home from work there would be a lot of good suggestions - thanks. Baseball tickets are actually to Lowell Spinners - Red Sox are virtually sold out. Will definitely go to Christmas Tree shop on Route 1 in Saugus - and just driving on Route 1 in that area will be an experience.

Anon - as far as Spanish-speaking activities, we live close to Lawrence, MA which has several summer Hispanic festivals - although my own daughter who is studying Spanish is quick to tell me there are differences between Spain Spanish and Caribbean Spanish languages.

She will miss July 4th, as they arrive on the 5th - but some of the same ideas will work.

Thanks again.

Definitely have a bbq, even though they won't be here the 4th. If you like "talkie" movies, rent Barcelona, about Americans living there. The observations about hamburgers are interesting and you will want to make sure your student gets to taste a real one.

I alwalys like to take visitors to Castle Island in South Boston. Bring rollor blades, have pinic and get an ice cream cone at the resturant. Another place that is fun to go is Creasent Ridge in Sharon, MA. Great ice cream and they make it right on the property watch the cows roam the feilds as you enjoy. Have you ever been to Seekonk, Ma to watch car races and demolition derby or great people watching. have fun

Hmm. Having spent time in both NE Spain and the States, I would say that the students will have enough of a culture shock when they encounter service staff who enjoy serving, doors being held open for them, restaurants and bars which expect, nay, enjoy, accommodating the customers' needs, "please" and "thankyou" as day to day phrases, etc etc. (suffice to say, I'm holidaying again in the States, but will be giving Spain a wide berth in future)

it will be hard to represent "American Culture" in Boston, but you are in a prime place to represent New England Culture, or at least the Summer time version of it.

I would do the following:

lobster roll/fried clams at a seaside town

outdoor concerts at a local park

backyard BBQ with lots of friends

swim in the ocean

I know my thoughts are in the minority here, but I just keep thinking about the Europe boards and reading that folks want to rent a villa or self-catering apartment so they can experience a life more like the locals. Those that express those sentiments describe slowing down to fall into the rhythms of the local town.

Have you ever visited a friend hoping to spend time with the friend and they are rushing you around trying to "entertain" you?

While I'm all for taking the exchange students to see some sights, my experience with exchange programs led me to believe they want the students to live with an American family so they can experience everyday American life.

Family members who have been exchange students in Ireland and the French countryside enjoyed so many experiences - but the best were with the family as a temporary family member.

I'm not saying "Don't take them to see some sights". But, as libuse mentioned, what is going to make the biggest impression on them are the small differences that WE may not even be aware of as we go through our life on a daily basis.

Having said all that, I love ediegirl's suggestions.

Villas and self-catering apartments certainly do give more of an experience than staying in a hotel would, but for a real cross-cultural experience, try a home exchange. We exchanged 3 weeks in a home in London, listening to other people's CDs and car radio buttons, using exotic appliances, shopping in the local markets and meeting the neighbors. My son slept in a room festooned with shirts from various soccer teams.

And yet somehow in all this cross-cultural immersion we actually went to museums, shopping, etc. The folks on the Europe board who talk about slowing down into the local rhythms are vacationing adults who are taking a break from work, not high-energy teens. A barbecue and a baseball game are wonderful, but if gail's student is here for a month, just hanging out is going to get boring. I don't think anyone is suggesting that every minute should be scheduled; gail was just asking for suggestions, and as she acknowledged kids love to shop.

Yes, there are "differences between Spain Spanish and Caribbean Spanish." There are also differences between the Spanish spoken in various parts of the Caribbean and South America -- they've been speaking it for a very long time and it has evolved many local variations. But the reason that they are speaking it is because they were Spanish colonies, it's not some random coincidence. This is a relevant part of the visitor's own history.

gail, we'll be looking for an update after your guest leaves!

Gail....Jordans has the Imax and probably the new Batman....whale watch and from what I've learned SHOPPING..American brands of dungarees, etc. are very desirable and have snob appeal in Europe..of course they might like the Duck Tour (book ahead, they reallybusy). The Museum of Science if they are interested.A lobster dinner by the ocean..
Whether going to Kittery or Wrentham the exchange rate with the Euro vs. the $$ gives them for now great buying power.

We've only hosted one foreign student and shopping was his #1 desire. Apparently he had a shopping list of things his friends back home wanted. The program provided plenty of excursions. We live in a rural area and he was surprised that our river was clean enough for swimming (he was from a suburb of Paris). We involved him in family projects so he also learned how to hold a hammer properly. He enjoyed playing with puppies (his family didn't allow pets). He also liked hiking. Don't forget, our everyday life may be quite different than what your student is used to at home.