This child needs you! Can you help?

Admin Join date : 2009-11-26 Age : 49

The USA High School Program is based on the cross-cultural learning experience. Every year students from around the world become “adopted” family members in homes like yours across the United States, while attending a local public high school. You and your student will participate in a unique educational process that happens through sharing daily lives and personal experiences. It is a process that will require your help and guidance, as your student learns to navigate an entirely new cultural setting.

Requirements for hosting a student:

-Share your home and daily life with a student from abroad.
-Plan and prepare for your students arrival.
-Support and counsel your student as you learn about each other.
-Understand and accept the difficulties that your student faces.
-Communicate openly with your student and local coordinator.
-Call your local coordinator if you need help at any time with anything.
-Familiarize yourself with the Host Handbook. (Received upon acceptance.)
-Cooperate with CIEE by adhering to our policies and guidelines.

Cost Incurred during the Program

Your participation in this program provides you an opportunity to open your home and allows an international exchange student to become a member of your family. While it is expected that out of pocket expenses incurred by the host family will be normal and customary costs associated with an additional family member of this age, it is possible that other costs may arise that are not anticipated. There may be situation where the exchange student will assume responsibility for such costs providing you have worked this out directly with the student. You should recognize that at the conclusion of the program there may be unpaid bills (i.e. telephone) for which you may expect payment from the student. It is important to make payment arrangements with the student before they leave. CIEE will not be responsible for collecting this money from the student after their departure from the program. In cases where you would call upon your insurance to provide protection for an unforeseen event, it is expected that these policies would also cover the actions of your exchange student (excluding health insurance for the participant which is included in the program). As a non-profit organization which facilitates exchange programs for thousands of participants each year, CIEE is not in a position to be responsible for any costs incurred by the host family during this program, nor does it accept liability arising from the actions of either the host family or student.

"I really would love to host a child but with money being tight for everyone these days I just can't afford another child. I can hardly afford the child I have now."
-Most common reason people who want to help, don't.

Children can be expensive, there is no doubt about that. Most people are under the impression that hosting a child means they assume all financial responsibility for that child.

Not true!

Host students are required to have access to a range from $150 to $200 per month for their expenses. Your students family is responsible for:

-Clothes
-School supplies
-Health and hygiene products
-School projects, elective materials, club fees, etc. (Such as band instruments, uniforms, field trip costs, etc.)
-Any needs/wants the student has desire of.

What costs would I assume?

Costs that host families would see if their budget:

-Food (Host families are required to provide food as they do their own children and family.
-Adding an extra person will cause an adjustment in:

-Electric, gas, and water utilities. (Most likely your electric and gas bills will not see much of a difference. Adding a teenager to the home does require a water increase as you will have an extra shower and load of laundry.)

***The biggest increase your family will see will be in food.

Admin Join date : 2009-11-26 Age : 49

STUDENT POLICIES

1.Obey the regulations of J-1 E.V.V and the US State Department.

2.Abide by federal, state, and local laws of the United States and host town. Under these laws, consumption of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of 21, and the use or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited. These laws may also include local curfews. Be aware of these laws, and be mindful that they may be different from laws in your home country and that violations may lead to serious punishment.

3.Attend the arrival orientation.

4.Accept placement with a family of any race, creed, or color. Live as a member of your Host Family, respect the rules and customs of your Host Family, and accept the responsibilities given to you.

5.Consider your personal health and safety needs when applying for or accepting a place in the Program. If you suffer from any health or other condition that would create a risk for you while abroad, you should not apply.

6.Read and carefully consider all materials made available that relate to safety, health, legal environmental, political, cultural and religious conditions in your host town. Be aware of local conditions that may present health or safety risks when making daily choices and decisions.

7.Respect the host high school’s guidelines and policies, including those with regard to conduct, delinquency, grade levels, participation in graduation ceremonies, and issuance of a high school diploma.

8.Maintain a C+ average or higher in all courses at the host high school. Courses must include English (other than English as a second language) and an American History course and two other academic courses. Attend school everyday that it is in session and follow school policies with regards to absences.

9.Travel only with adult members of the Host Family, the Local Coordinator, official school, or group organized trips after gaining permission from the national office. Travel with or visits from natural family members are not permitted before January of the ten-month program and not at all during a five-month program. Travel to your home country is not permitted during the program year.

10.Driving or purchasing a motorized vehicle (car, motorcycle, boat, or any other vehicle requiring a driver’s license) is prohibited. Driving is permitted with the instructor of an official driver’s education course and only during class hours. This is solely for the purpose of obtaining a driving license and does not allow the student to drive after a license is obtained.

11.Have access to a minimum of $150 to $200 US dollars per month to cover personal expenses.
- - Do not borrow money from your Host Family.

12.Students who indicate that they do not smoke on their application may not smoke during the program year. Students who indicate that they do smoke must follow any and all guidelines their family and community may have in regards to smoking. In some States, communities and schools, it is against the law for students under a certain age to smoke or possess tobacco or tobacco related items.

13.The program terminates within two weeks after the last day of school, and arrangements must be made to return home within this time.

14.Acknowledge that CIEE reserves the right to dismiss any student who fails to uphold any and all of the above rules. In the event that a student is dismissed from the program, the parent or natural guardians are responsible for all additional expenses incurred above those of the regular program costs. In the case of early dismissal, program fees will not be reimbursed.

15.Acknowledge that CIEE is not acting in the capacity of in loco parentis with respect to you, and that your natural parents still retain all of their rights and obligations and are expected to maintain regular and frequent (once or twice per month) contact with you telephonically, electronically or in person (if possible, after five months of your program start date).

**CIEE Handbook contains detailed responsibilities of your host student.

Admin Join date : 2009-11-26 Age : 49

What happens once I decide to host a student?

1) The Application:

-Basic Information: Names, birthdates and basic info for each person in your family, as well as contact and employment info.
-Your Family: Events, hobbies and leisure activities that your family takes part in.

- Your Town: Anything interesting or special about your town or city that stands out? What kind of neighborhood do you live in? What school will your student attend?

-Photo Album: Here you get to post photos of your family and home for your student.

-Your Home: This part gives your student-to-be a glimpse into the home they will be living in, as well as the bedroom they will occupy during their stay.

-Documents: Read, check and sign saying you understand. (Longer version of the previous posts.)

-Background checks: Anyone in the home over the age of 18 is required to submit to a background check. You simply state your info here and CIEE will handle the rest. (CIEE pays for these background checks.)

2.)Home Visit:
-The Local Coordinator (LC) will schedule a time to come and view your home. They are required to see the overall home with the most emphasis being on where the student will sleep, study and bathe each day.

(Families must provide a bed for the student as well as a quiet place to study.)
**Shared rooms are fine as long as there are individual, or bunk beds. Same sex only may share rooms, and be within 4 years of age of one another.

That's all there is to it!

Once your application is complete your LC will begin emailing you lists with boys and girls who need homes. Don't worry if you find that you are not interested in anyone on the list. New lists come in several times daily. Be sure to choose someone you feel good about taking, and make sure that your family and the student you choose have things in common.

You will not want a vegetarian if your family is predominantly meat eaters, or someone who hates being outside if your family are avid campers and hikers. Be sure to have some common ground with one another.

You are not only making a difference in the life of a child when you host a student. You are allowing them to make a difference in yours as well!!

Reply or email any questions, comments, or concerns you may have.