Columbia Falls family enjoys connection to Mexico

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

The Briscoe family here has a very strong connection to Mexico — in a sense they have an adopted family there.

Jason and Bobbie Briscoe along with their three children are hosting Belen Avila, a foreign exchange student from Mexico this year.

But the Briscoes have been spending time with Belen and her family over the years; long before Belen was born or old enough to come live here.

Belen's father was a foreign exchange student in Bobbie's home in Missoula when she was 8 years old. Eventually Bobbie's family would play host to Belen's uncle, aunts and two cousins. A few years ago Belen's sister stayed with Bobbie's mom, who still lives in Missoula.

"We have a 28-year relationship with her family," said Bobbie. "We've spent Christmases together and we've met in Disneyland."

So when Belen wanted to go on exchange, it was pretty obvious which family she was going to stay with. Rather than stay with Bobbie's mom, however, Belen chose Bobbie's family because they have children.

The Briscoe family includes daughters Cassidee and Tori, and son Kyle.

For Bobbie, there really was no other place for Belen to be.

"This has always been the plan. As his (Belen's father's) kids have gotten old enough they would stay with us," said Bobbie. "We've stayed very close."

Belen seems to agree.

"I like being here," Belen said. "I'm just another one of the family."

She said that it has made living away from home easier because she knows the people she is staying with.

"When I left the airport my mother was crying, but I didn't cry I just said 'goodbye,'" recalls Belen. "I miss my family, but I'm not homesick."

Belen says she especially enjoys being with her host sisters and brother. She is the youngest child in her family in Mexico.

"It's really fun to have a little sister," she said.

Next year Belen's cousin will also likely come from Mexico and stay with the Briscoe family.

THE BRISCOE family had hosted two foreign exchange students prior to Belen a few years ago. One from Cancun and one from Germany.

They all seem to agree that it's a worthwhile experience.

"Not all exchanges turn into a 28-year long-time relationship," said Bobbie. "It's wonderful and people should at least try it."

However, Bobbie, said the family still keeps in touch with their past students almost weekly. The students still refer to Jason and Bobbie as mom and dad.

Jason was a bit hesitant the first time they were asked to host a student, but that has since changed.

"If you have kids I would do it. It's nice to have another daughter around," he said of Belen.

The whole family eagerly recalls moments spent with all their foreign exchange students. Taking them camping for the first time and eating hot dogs and s'mores made over the campfire. Or introducing them to snow and cold.

Host families also learn from the foreign exchange student as well.

"I earned extra credit before in school," said Kyle. "I used the language and culture I learned for my social studies class."

Also the students often cook unique foods for the host family and even teach the family how to cook them.

Daughter Cassidee is a junior at Columbia Falls High School and the oldest child in the Briscoe family.

"The first student we had I got close to her," she said. "Because of the age difference she was an older sister to me."

Cassidee has also gotten the chance to visit former students in their home countries as well.

These memories and experiences often last a lifetime.

Bobbie still recalls events that happened while Belen's father stayed with her.

"He would never wake up for school on time," laughed Bobbie. "So one day my mom poured water in his face. Then when she was sleeping he poured water in her face. He was not cleaning his room. So one day he cleaned it then took a Polaroid picture of it and taped it up. He told her 'to just look at the 'hole' in the wall."

HOST FAMILIES can often be hard to find.

"People are sometimes scared about what the exchange is about," said Bobbie. "You don't have to do anything, but be a parent."

Bobbie has taught students how to do laundry or cook. Many students have housekeepers in their home countries.

"I never do chores at home (in Mexico)," said Belen.

But she added that she has enjoyed learning to cook.

In the end it's all worth it for everyone.

"Sometimes you don't want to let them go home," said Bobbie.