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Legions
of "alumni" Host Families agree that hosting a foreign exchange
student enriched their perception of the world, and of their place in it. They’ve grown to appreciate
both the similarities and the differences between the peoples of the
world. The host family provides the foreign exchange student with a second family in another part of the
world. The
experience of hosting an international student brings many
moments of happiness to each member of your family. But most importantly,
you have the unique opportunity to grow as human beings by sharing
your lives with someone from another culture.
Host Family Responsibilities
- The Host Family are goodwill ambassadors who understand and support the philosophy of the
ECI program and
provide a safe residence for the exchange Student during the school year.
- The Host Family must be located where the Student has no problem of
transportation.
- The Host family provides room and board for the
Student and treats the Student as a member of the family, not a
guest.
Money
Matters
It
is extremely important that you establish a protocol for
dealing with expenditures as soon as possible.
Exchange Students have their own money for personal expenses such as school
lunches, uniforms, movies, toiletries, and discretionary spending.
Students might also contribute to the grocery bill if they have
special dietary preferences not normally on your shopping
list. If you find yourself
“treating” because the student has insufficient funds, contact your
Coordinator. You should not
be subsidizing your student.
Making
the Grade
While
most host parents feel compelled to monitor the study habits of foreign
exchange students, they are not responsible for their academic progress. If you've provided a quiet study area, then you've fulfilled
your obligation. Concerns about academic problems should be addressed to your
Coordinator. If the situation
is serious, it may be necessary to invoke Academic Probation. The student will be given a written warning that continued
participation in the program depends upon significant improvement.
The Coordinator will determine the
duration of probation after consultation with the central office.
Communication
The more you communicate, the sooner your Student will feel like a member of
the family. Clear up little problems before they turn into big ones. It is easier to explain procedures to your Student before you have to
correct something he or she does. In general, Americans find it difficult
to tell someone that they are doing something wrong. Sometimes we quietly endure
rather than say anything. Your Student needs to be told if he or she
does something wrong. They cannot read your mind and may misunderstand
some instructions. So please, communicate often!
A
Special Resource
Most
issues that surface between host families and their students are easily
resolved with early, expert intervention. Don’t allow problems to escalate, and if you have concerns don’t wait for a
check-in call. Your
Coordinator is only a phone call away.
Honest, open communication is the key to helping your Student fit in
quickly and builds a successful
relationship with your family.
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