North Carolina Programs

Asheville is an attractive small city of 70,000 located in the Blue Ridge mountains about 200 miles NE of Atlanta, GA and 125 miles NW of Charlotte, NC. Asheville has attracted a wide variety of people - many retirees, New Age young people, and many who have lived here for generations. There are a number of talented folks making and selling arts and crafts, as well as others creating many kinds of music, theatre and dance. It has an excellent small liberal arts university, UNC-Asheville, and is a major medical center for all of Western North Carolina.

Asheville is also know for its 'Art Deco' architecture, the beautiful Biltmore House and Estate and handsome Grove Park Inn. Weather permitting, we drive the Blue Ridge Parkway that goes through Asheville and, an hour's drive away, there is the Cherokee Indian reservation. People like to live here and it is a popular tourist destination.

You can find more about Asheville at www.asheville.com on the Internet. You will be the guest of members of three sponsoring Presbyterian churches, spending your first week through Christmas with one family, and your second week until your departure with another.

The planned program will include activities when the students will be together to explore Asheville, take hikes, or visit interesting communities of the surrounding mountain area. There will be an International Dinner when students prepare a food from their own culture to be shared with all the host families. (Please bring simple instructions and, if possible, any special ingredients not likely to be found here.) You may join others in a community-wide, alcohol-free First Night celebration in Asheville on New Year's Eve. At other times, you will be with your hosts to enjoy home life and to experience how Christmas is celebrated.

The weather may range from 30's to 50's degrees F. (-1.1 to 10.0 degrees C.) and there may be rain or a little snow. Bring a winter coat, comfortable clothes and walking shoes for outdoor activities, as well as something a little dressier in case you go to church with your hosts.

Program Size	12 Students
Program Type	Homes
Accommodations	Males and females
Dress	Very warm clothes, winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves
Suggested cash for optional personal expenses	At least $125-$150 for extra meals, entrance to Biltmore House and personal expenses
Program Dates	December 18, 2004 to January 2, 2005
Airport	Asheville Airport
Train Depot
Bus Depot	Asheville (Trailways)
Driving Directions	On request
Weather	30-50 F may have snow
Local Attractions	Biltmore House, Grove Park Inn, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee Indian Reservation