Lancaster County

                                                Christmas International House 

                                                            A Holiday of Friendship with International Students

   

Program Dates:

 

Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Monday, January 2, 2012 

 

Program limited to females only 

 

 

Celebrate your holiday with Lancaster County CIH.  We are located in southeastern Pennsylvania, an area that is well known for its Amish community and scenic countryside.

 

You will stay in the home of a host family and you will participate in all of their activities and traditions as they celebrate the holidays.  You may be able to help bake cookies or decorate the family Christmas tree, or enjoy quiet conversation with your host family.

 

In addition to time with your host family, several group activities are planned to help you get acquainted with our corner of the world.  One of these activities is an incredible opportunity to learn first-hand about the Amish community by having lunch with an Amish family, visiting a one-room schoolhouse and by taking a horse and buggy ride. 

 

Our program hosts a small number of guests and we cannot guarantee an international mix.  However, if you want some quiet time away from the stress of college life, if you want to really get to know an American family and have some fun in the process, you will enjoy your time with the members and friends of St. John Center Lutheran Church.  We are eager to share our cold winter weather and our warm hospitality.
 

Contacting the

Lancaster County CIH Coordinator

 

My  name is Deb Lorah and I coordinate the Lancaster County CIH program.  Feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have - about host families, activities, travel, etc. - either before you apply to our program or after you have been accepted.

 

The best way to contact me is by e-mail at lccih@sjclutheran.org.

 

However, you may call my home telephone at 717-445-7089.  The best time to reach me is after 7:00 in the evening.  Leave a message if I do not answer and I will call you back.  Be sure to tell me when it is a good time to call you.

 

Program Details


The information below should answer most of the common questions about our program.  We've provided lots of links, including the links to the left, which will give you more information.

 

 

Traveling to Lancaster County

Please make your travel plans as soon as possible;  the holidays are a very busy time for the travel industry and, typically, prices will become more expensive as fewer tickets are available. 

 

Click here for more information on traveling by bus, train, or plane!

 

Please contact the coordinator if you have questions about making travel plans. 

Activities

 

We strive to have a good blend of group activities and time to be with your host family and time to relax. Click here for a listing of planned activities.

 

Weather

The weather in Lancaster County can vary greatly in December.  It is always best to plan on temperatures at or below the freezing point.  Usually it is too early in the winter season to have snow, but we always hope for a "white Christmas."


You will want to be prepared with a winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves or mittens.


Click here for the current 10-day weather forecast.

 

 

Finances

Your host family will provide your housing and your meals.  In most cases, they will also pay for any family outing in which you might participate.  Our CIH program will pay for most group activities.

 

However, there are certain items that you will be asked to personally pay for.  These include:

 

 

Banks will not cash personal checks. 

 

However, most banks will accept debit cards at their automatic teller machines if you need cash.  In addition, VISA and MasterCard are widely accepted for purchases and meals.

 

What to bring

  • Jeans and other casual clothes are appropriate for all of our activities

  • Winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves/mittens

  • Boots, if you have them

  • Student ID with photograh

  • Camera!!

  • Recipe for favorite food for International Night

  • Any traditional clothing to wear for International Night

  • Thank You gift for your host family (can be something that represents your country or your college)


 

Visits to New York City, Washington DC or other nearby Cities

Our program does include a trip to Philadelphia, but not to the Big Apple or our nation's capitol.

 

If you want to visit another city while you are in the mid-Atlantic region, you are asked to do so either BEFORE or AFTER your stay here in Lancaster County.  For insurance purposes, you are welcomed to participate in any activity planned by your host family or by Lancaster County CIH.  However, you may be asked to leave our program, at your expense, if you plan personal visits to other cities DURING the dates of our program.