1. What is required of a Host family?
The health and safety of each student is our highest priority and so we ask our host families to abide by our policies outlined in our host parent handbook. Once approved, a host family is required to provide:
- Housing.
- Breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the weekends and holidays.
- A separate bed, which can be in a shared room with one host sibling of similar age and same gender, and a quiet place to study.
- Local transportation (school, grocery store, clothing store etc.)
- Open communication, encouragement, patience and sound Godly advice.
- Treatment as a member of the family, which may include household rules, responsibilities, and privileges.
- You are not required to provide clothing or pay for medical needs.
2. What are the requirements for becoming a host parent?
- Host Application.
- Background check.
- Ministry Safe Training.
- Pastoral/Church reference.
- Family Friend reference.
- Home Visit.
- Host Family Orientation.
- Application and requirements must be completed and signed by all adults living in the home.
- A host parent must also be a church-attending Christian with the ability to love someone as part of their own family.
3. How long does a host student stay?
Most students are attending high school for a full school year, which is 10 months, generally August through May. Some might stay through the first week of June.
4. What about school fees and fines?
The students are responsible for their own school fees and for any fines they may incur. The host parents may need to remind the student to pay each time they receive a statement from the school.
5. What places am I required to take them?
As host parents, you are required to take your student/s to and from school daily. If they are involved in sports or after school activities they will need a ride after practices and games. Please DO NOT put your student in a taxi or Uber for transportation. You are also required to take your student to church, shopping for personal needs, and entertainment.
6. Is there compensation?
The host parents are paid $750.00 monthly per student August through May.
7. Will I have to pay taxes on this income?
We have increased the host monthly stipend to cover these expenses. Your tax advisor might have more information. (We are not tax advisors, please see your tax advisor for more information.)
8. What if I am going out of town?
If your host student does not need to miss school you are allowed to take the student with you. If it is a situation where your student cannot go with you, other host parents can keep your student while you are gone. (A cost may apply to have another host family keep your student.)
9. What about holidays?
Most host students will spend many holidays with you; some will travel during Christmas but the majority do not. This is an excellent time to make them feel part of your family and teach them about American culture and tradition.
10. What if the student gets injured or sick?
Students are required to carry international medical insurance. Generally, the students will pay for the doctor visit with a personal credit card. In case the student cannot pay the initial fee, please contact our offices for help.
11. What about computers?
Most students will bring their own personal computers. If they do it is up the host parent to monitor their usage. We discourage using the computers after bedtime and we strongly encourage the use of computers in common areas such as living room or dining room areas. As host parents, you have the right to ask that the computer be used in common areas and they be left there after at bedtime.
12. What if I have questions about adjusting to my host student? Who do I contact?
You will have access, support, and advice from your housing coordinator who will help pair you with a student and monitor your experience during your student’s stay.