South Elgin Family Hosts Vietnamese Student

For over a year, Diana and Guillermo Felfe, of South Elgin, Ill., have been hosting international student Oanh Nguyen through Elgin Community College’s (ECC) International Student Homestay Program.

After Diana spoke with her brother, who had previously hosted international high school students, the Felfes felt compelled to host an international college student. 

“We like to host,” Diana said. “We have a big house, so we said, why not? It was going to help us as well. We're retired, and we like interacting with young people.” 

While host families can commit for more, the minimum commitment is one semester. 

ECC student Nguyen, from Vietnam, recently started her second year in ECC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program, and plans to study business at ECC in the spring of 2027. Before ECC, Nguyen studied in Toledo, Ohio, but after research, decided  Elgin would be a better fit. Nguyen will graduate from the ESL program in December 2026. 

When she arrived, she was still developing her English skills and adjusting to a new community. The Felfes found small ways to help her feel at home. Diana put a framed poster of Vietnam in Nguyen’s room, and the family watched television together in English to help her become more comfortable with the language. Now they can have full conversations together.

After living with the Felfes for a few months, Diana and Nguyen found themselves cooking a lot. Food became one way they connected. Diana said she loves preparing dishes from different cultures, like Asian, Peruvian, and Lebanese. She also enjoys learning new recipes from Nguyen. 

The Felfes have also brought Nguyen around their extended family many times for events. Diana observed that Nguyen had never hugged her friends when she first came to live with them, but has since warmed up to them. She now hugs Diana’s family members when they greet one another.

As her 21st birthday approaches, the Felfes plan to take her to a local Vietnamese restaurant because they love to see her enjoy her culture. 

“I highly recommend it because it's really fulfilling for us in many ways,” Diana said. “We're learning from her, and she learns from us. It's just amazing, and I highly recommend it. If you have a home and you have enough room to do it.”

ECC’s International Student Homestay Program connects international students with local families interested in sharing their home, lifestyle, and culture, while learning about another culture themselves.

Families interested in becoming hosts can learn more at elgin.edu/homestay.