Families in Butler County now have the chance to become involved in a global cultural exchange.

Tom Crenshaw of Greenville has been selected to run the local student exchange program for Aspect Foundation, a non-profit organization that sponsors students from nearly 50 countries.

Crenshaw and his family are currently hosting two students from Sweden and Norway in their home through Aspect Foundation.

“We have had an excellent experience with this organization and want to see other families in the area to have the same opportunity. My job will be to help match families and students, and serve as the liaison with local schools and colleges,” Crenshaw said.

Aspect students are aged 15-18, and are chosen based on maturity, grades, and language ability. Host families provide room and board and a loving home environment for the students, Crenshaw said.

“In return, the families and the exchange students get to learn about another culture firsthand, and you make new friends for life. Our two exchange students have gotten very involved in life at Fort Dale, participating in sports, the beauty pageant and in the choral program,” Crenshaw said.

Local teens can also participate by spending a semester or academic year studying abroad in Brazil, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain or Uruguay with Aspect Foundation’s Outbound Program.

For more information about the Aspect Foundation, contact Tom Crenshaw at 334-382-3563, the Aspect Foundation National Office at 1-800-US-YOUTH, or visit www.aspectfoundation.org to view profiles of available students. – Angie Long