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Aug 19, 2008 6:35 pm US/Central
Overcrowding Forces Out Foreign Exchange Students
KELLER (CBS 11 News) ―
When 17-year-olds Tim Kowalke and Simon Langer came over from Germany as exchange students, they couldn't have imagined the outpouring of affection for them. They found a home away from Hamburg in Keller.
"As it turns out, he comes into our life and we actually fall in love with him, and we get a second one and it's been far greater than we'd anticipated," said Kevin McCarthy, a host parent for the young men.
"Oh yeah. Texas is a very nice state," said Kowalke. "An awesome state. Unbelievable."
Kowalke and Langer finished summer courses preparing them to enter American schools. Now Langer is off to Ohio for school. The McCarthy's want to keep Kowalke in Keller though. He's like another son to them. There's just one problem.
"So many schools are full, and they just don't have room for all these students," said McCarthy, who has not been able to enroll Kowalke in nearby schools.
Strained Keller schools don't have room for Kowalke and about a half dozen other foreign students. Kowalke's parents in Germany can't afford the seven or eight thousand dollars in tuition for private school.
Kowalke is in limbo and faces losing his newfound family.
"I think it would be the second part of saying goodbye, like saying it to my family in Germany," said Kowalke.
"The lesson I want to give them and what we taught our kids is never to give up and endure whatever obstacles are placed in front of you," said McCarthy. They hope the lesson in perseverance pays off with Kowalke in a Texas classroom.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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