It's October and my students have gone to wrestle crocodiles in Australia for a month. But that's not why I'm worried. Until now, they've wrestled with the English language so much, they should be in good shape to take on any croc. I've warned them about other dangers of Australia, such as kangaroos with boxing gloves and Vegemite. What I'm worried about is their home stays.

Sometimes the girls can't make the cultural leap necessary to enjoy the host family experience. I remember once when my family hosted an Iranian high school student for a year. His name was Ardeshir but we called him "Ardie." On the first day, my mother told him: "Ardie, this is the kitchen. And here is the refrigerator. Just eat whenever you want." And we wondered why he was so skinny after coming to our house.

Shortly after, we received a note from his uncle. "Iranians are too polite to just go to the host family's refrigerator and take food. Please offer him food." Oh, of course.