A Lancaster woman and her daughter are hoping to hear from local families interested in hosting French high school students for two weeks.

Susan Costley and Jessica Johnson are coordinators for Echanges Culturels Internationaux, a French non-profit cultural exchange group based in Aix-en-Provence.

The two are urgently looking for 10 families to host students, some of whom arrive Monday. A second group arrives Tuesday.

The host families should be in the Solanco, Penn Manor or Hempfield school districts, or in the vicinity of Lancaster Mennonite School. These are the schools the students will be attending for part of their stay.

Costley said language is not a problem. All of the students, ages 14 to 17, speak English "to varying degrees."

She said the students are covered by medical and liability insurance and have spending money.

When not attending school, ECI has arranged for the students to visit Washington and New York City.

There also will be local excursions, and Costley said anyone not able to be a host, but who still wants to be involved, may volunteer as a driver.

Costley said her life has been enriched by her association with the program and the kids.

"My daughter and I have been working with ECI for 14 years and have seen many wonderful friendships formed," she said.

Created in 1971, ECI has been arranging foreign travel and educational trips for French youths in many countries throughout the world. ECI's primary objective is to place French students in suitable family home environments to promote the study of the host country's language and culture.

Anyone interested in hosting a student may call Costley at 615-5353.

For more information, go to www.ecilancaster.com.

lalexander@lnpnews.com