They may be from all across the globe, but their wish is the same: To help make the world a better place.

Nineteen foreign exchange students are under the guidance of Carla Holt, an area representative of the Center for Cultural Interchange. Although most are living in Kentucky, four of their number have taken up temporary residence in Lawrence County.

Holt feels that an integral part of their American experience is being active in community service.

“They are young ambassadors,” Holt said. “They are here to learn about the U.S. and its way of life. Part of that is to volunteer.”

As of now, all of the group’s service work has taken place in Kentucky. Students have worked as volunteers at the Kentucky Highlands Museum, helped fill up and distribute food baskets and worked as guides for the Paramount Arts Center’s Festival of Trees, for which they also decorated a tree.

The group is also scheduled to serve food at the Community Kitchen at Calvary Episcopal Church on Dec. 22, the day of their Christmas luncheon.

Although they’ll continue to work in the Bluegrass state, Holt said that she’s also looking for opportunities across the river.

“Since I have four students in Lawrence County, we’d really like to make our presence known,” Holt said. “We’d like to find someone who is open to having these students work.”

She’s not too picky about what the students do, although she said that she’d like to be involved with a nursing home in some capacity. Perhaps the most valuable service they can provide, Holt said, is in helping to share their culture.

“The students are very open, and they’re willing to speak at elementary schools to talk about their native countries,” Holt said. “Clubs or organizations would also be a wonderful opportunity for them to share their culture.”

Most of Holt’s students, she said, are more than happy to spend their limited time in the states volunteering.

“They really enjoy giving back to the communities that have welcomed them and see what being an American is all about,” Holt said.

Those interested in having the exchange students work for them can reach Holt at (606) 836-1265 or at pecarla@webtv.net. Holt requests that emails contain “Exchange Students” in the subject line.