Host Family Responsibilities: Host families provide a bed, 3 meals a day, and transportation to and from student excursions. Students are to be treated as members of your family and not a guest, so your responsibility as a host is to practice English with your student and integrate them into your daily summer routine. The program provides a weekly field trip for all the students. Host siblings/fam
ilies are welcome to attend these trips as well. Hosting opportunities are open to families of all sizes, & compositions. Host families can live anywhere in the greater Boston area. All families and students come from varying backgrounds. The most important criteria are that the hosts treat the student like a member of their own families, providing them with not just a house but a home. The hosted student will have the opportunity to learn about the American way of life, plus share his or her culture as well. Students may share a bedroom with a sibling of the same gender. Students must have their own bed- this cannot be a pull-out sofa or air mattress. Host families must not smoke inside the home. or live in Public housing. What do we do with our students on the days they are with us? Anything you like! What is your summer schedule usually like? Hanging out at the beach, lake, and camping. Lazy days at home, or sightseeing around New England. Going to the movies. Not every day has to be jam-packed with activities- giving your student conversation- and insight to your traditions- shows them your community. You will find that showing someone new all these things you also view it in a new light! I will send out a list of no-cost- low-cost activities that you can do with your student. What if we work during the time the students are here? Everyone has to work, what we ask is, who will be home? How many hours a week will you be working? Are you taking any vacation time during the summer? This is different for each family. As long as your student is not home alone too often- this is ok. What if we are going on vacation? Is it somewhere you can take your exchange student with you? Many families over the years have taken their students to many places, Camping, Maine, Canada, Washington DC, Hershey Park, Cape Cod, and Disney! In other cases, we have made temporary arrangements for students while their families are away. What is the application process? This is very simple, you will fill out the application online - provide references - and a home visit will be done. We ask for a photo of your family and your home- this will be sent to your student and their natural family! We have a new family orientation in June. What if my student gets sick/hurt? Each student is covered by a health and liability insurance policy. The group leaders are on call 24/7 during the student's stay in case of emergency. Each family is given a release of medical treatment for their student. If there is an emergency- head straight to the ER- call the group leaders ASAP- we will meet you there. If your student is sick and needs to be seen- call the group leaders and we will transport your student for treatment. How do I/we pick a student? Once the application process is complete, you will have access to the student profiles, you can choose a student who is compatible with your family. We have boys and girls with many interests ranging from sports to music and theater, and from varying backgrounds- we will assist you in choosing the student that is the best fit for your family. You will be able to email your student before arrival! Do host families get paid? No, they do not. This is a law put in place by the state department. When a host family is paid for hosting, it attracts host families for the wrong reasons. Can my family host more than one student? No – Having more than one student in the home jeopardizes the purpose of the homestay. Students tend to rely on each other for support and friendship instead of their host family. What is a host family’s financial obligation? Students will have their own spending money for their personal needs, souvenirs. Families are providing meals & housing. What if problems arise? Group leaders are available 24/7 during the students' stay. If you feel that there is a conflict- or issue that needs resolution we are always available. If you are unhappy with your hosting experience your student will be placed with another family. Do the host families pay for the exchange student to attend the field trips? NO-this is covered by the program. Is our family able to go with our students on the field trips? - YES! We encourage it. Will our students speak English? Each student is dedicated to their studies. Through the years they have been studying English is school. This immersion program has them put their skills to use in the real world. Some students will come with full command of English conversational skills. Some students will just be learning how! You will guide them and help them with their second language
