A Buda-based art foundation is teaming with an international exchange study program to bring two students to Hays High School for the 2014–15 school year. But first the students need to find homes. Kay Bailey, director of Chrysalis Art Foundation, a Buda-based nonprofit focused on fostering art and art education in Central Texas, said her organization has teamed up with International Experience to bring two budding artists to Hays High School. Alexandra, a 15-year-old from Germany, and Mert, a 16-year-old from Germany, are two students looking for host families in the Kyle or Buda area. Both students speak English. "To learn a different culture, that's what these kids are so interested in," Bailey said. "They want to learn about the United States and Texas. It'll be an amazing experience for everyone involved." Bailey said both of the students are interested in the art programs at Hays High School. If they are able to find host families, the students, who are currently in their home countries, will help Bailey put on the Buda Fine Art Express, an art event hosted by Chrysalis at City Park in Buda on Oct. 18–19. Laura Higgs, director of International Experience's outbound program, said the organization is hoping to place the students at Hays High School because a German exchange student named Philip spoke highly of his experience studying at the school last year. Higgs is hoping host families can be lined up for the students by Aug. 1. "It's important to know there is not just one correct host family," Higgs said. "We've had single moms host. We've had retirees host. We've had many different styles of families. It doesn't have to be a married couple with two children." Higgs said she spent a few years studying abroad while in high school and college, and the experience made her more independent, she said. "I eventually found out that anything that was put in front of me as an obstacle, I could get over, because for a whole year I was without the normal support you usually have to get you through those situations," Higgs said. Higgs said host families are mostly responsible for providing exchange students with a stable environment. Issues beyond that—including finances, setting up cell phones and debit cards—are handled by the student or International Experience. "Families are not expected to be tour guides," Higgs said. "It's a long exchange. They're going to have the whole year to see Austin, San Antonio. They'll get there." Higgs said families interested in hosting Alexandra or Mert can fill out an application through the International Experience website.