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How will our family benefit from hosting a Global Insights exchange
student?
What are the requirements for being a host family?
How are host family selected?
What are the steps to becoming a host family?
Can single people host Global Insights students?
Can young children benefit from hosting?
Can we select our own student?
Do students have to have their own room?
We both work and would not have time to entertain a student. Would this
be a problem?
Would we need to plan special trips/activities for our student?
We live in a rural area. Would a student be happy here?
Why should we host through Global Insights?
How will Global Insights prepare us to be a host family?
Will our family be paid for hosting?
What must a host family provide for their student?
Do students have insurance?
What will happen if we have problems with our student?
How will our family benefit from hosting a Global Insights exchange student? | |
There are
many reasons why hosting is a wonderful experience for the entire family. You
will learn about another culture and language - without leaving your home. You
will start a life-long friendship with your new "son" or "daughter," and when
your student returns home, you will have a special friend in another country.
Members of your own family may feel closer to one another through sharing your
daily lives with a Global Insights student. Most of all, you will have a lot of
fun!
|
What are the requirements for being a host family? | |
Host families are as
different and diverse as Americans themselves. They come from all ethnic,
racial, economic, and religious backgrounds. There is no typical host family:
families with teenagers, no children, young children, children who are grown,
single parents and grandparents. They live in large cities, suburban areas, on
farms and ranches, or in small communities. Host families do all have a common
trait, however - the willingness to open their hearts to a student and provide
room, board, love, guidance, and the experience of what everyday life is like in
America. |
How are host families selected? | |
All Global
Insights host families are personally interviewed in their home and screened by
our local Area Representatives according to Global Insights policies and
procedures. We consider a host family's housing conditions and financial ability
to host, but certainly host families are not expected to be "wealthy." Most of
our host families are middle class. We are more concerned that host families
have a willingness to accept the student as a member of their family, and have
the ability to provide a student with a nurturing and loving family environment. |
What are the steps to becoming a host family? | |
Potential
host families must complete an application form which provides a detailed
summary and profile of the family. The local Area Representative will then
schedule an in-home interview with all family members present. Personal
references must be provided from members of the community or school attesting to
their good character and suitability for hosting an exchange student. The local
Area Representative will verify references and the local high school will be
asked to complete a form stating their acceptance of the student for the school
year. |
Can single people host Global Insights students? | |
Single people
are welcome to apply to the Global Insights program as a host family. On
occasion, some students will prefer living with a single person and enjoy the
extra attention afforded them by a single person without the duties and
responsibilities of caring for other family members. Prior permission from the
student's natural parents is required for these types of placements and
applicants must be at least 25 years old and financially capable of providing
room and board for another person. |
Can young children benefit from hosting? | |
Many of the students accepted into the
program indicate an interest in being placed in families with small children. As
long as the student is not asked to share a room with any child under 12 years
of age, these arrangements work well. It’s best, too, when the student has some
privacy and a quiet place to study. Children of all ages will gain a broader
perspective on the world, learning more about geography, communication, and
international cultures. Young children usually love having a big brother or
sister from another country! |
Can we select our own student? | |
With the guidance of the Area Representative, approved families will be allowed to select the student whom they feel best matches their family from the available applications. A number of factors should be considered when selecting a student - similar values, activities and interests (sports, arts, intellectual pursuits, etc.), and religious preferences to name a few. In addition, many host families prefer a certain sex or nationality of the student. Hosting does require a period of adjustment for all family members and for the student in the beginning. Common interests and values make that adjustment easier. As soon as your family completes the screening process and is approved, the local Area Representative will give you access to our password-protected online student database to help you choose your new son or daughter. |
Do students have to have their own room? | |
Program
participants are prepared to share a bedroom with a child of the same sex and at
least 12 years old. The student must, however, have his/her own bed. Students
who share a room with a host-sibling often make the transition from exchange
student to family member more quickly. |
We both work and would not have time to entertain a student. Would this be a problem? | |
The
traditional family with the husband employed and the wife a stay-at-home Mom is
becoming a thing of the past. In most of our two-parent families, both parents
work. Students are not expecting to be "entertained" but to become a part of the
family. By participating in the local high school, students will develop a
circle of friends and should not be dependent on the family for entertainment.
|
Would we need to plain special trips/activities for our student? | |
Of course,
your student would enjoy attending family outings but planning special trips for
the student is not a requirement. Your student should be treated like any other
member of the family and fit into your family's plans and structure. |
We live in a rural area. Would a student be happy here? | |
It is true
that many exchange students come from large metropolitan areas. For most
students, however, living rurally or in a small community is not a problem.
Students soon come to feel comfortable in any setting as long as their host
family is loving and supportive. The majority of exchange students are hosted in
small towns and rural areas throughout the United States. Because of the
closeness of the people in these areas, students can usually make friends more
easily and become a special part of the school and community. |
Why should we host through Global Insights? | |
Global
Insights is a small exchange organization with an emphasis on a "personal touch"
with our students and host families. We are dedicated to "opening the world
through youth exchange" - one student at a time! Our Area Representatives have
years of experience and are available whenever needed to ensure the exchange
experience is successful. |
How will Global Insights prepare us to be a host family? | |
Once you
become an approved host family, you will receive a Host Family Welcome Packet
with valuable information on the hosting experience. The packet will include a
Host Family Handbook, which can be referred to throughout the program. In
addition, you will attend a Host Family Orientation, conducted by your local
Area Representative, prior to your student's arrival. Here you can get answers
to any last-minute questions, meet other host families, and learn how to support
your new family member through the normal adjustments such as culture shock and
speaking a new language. You will also be invited to a second orientation after
your student arrives. Your most important resource, the local Area
Representative, will be available every step of the way to provide support and
advice. |
Will our family be paid for hosting? | |
As a
non-profit organization designated by the United States Department of State,
Global Insights does not provide any direct compensation for hosting. Students
are accepted into homes just as any other family member. In this way, it is
ensured that potential host families are motivated by the cultural benefit of
hosting and not by any monetary gain. Host families may deduct a $50.00 per
month charitable contribution from their itemized tax returns for hosting. |
What must a host family provide for their student? | |
We ask that our host families care for the students as they would their own children. This means that families are expected to provide students with a place to sleep, meals, and a loving supportive home life. Students provide their own spending money for all personal expenses, such as long distance calls, clothing, toiletries, school supplies, etc. |
Do the students have insurance? | |
All students have full
medical and accidental insurance while they are on our program. Host
families are
not responsible for student medical expenses! |
What will happen if we have a problem with our student? | |
Since the
hosting experience involves human beings with different expectations and goals,
it would be unrealistic to expect the experience would be "problem-free." Host
families have the local support of the Global Insights Area Representative. This
individual is prepared to assist in resolving any difficult situation that may
arise. Often, misunderstandings can be worked out through communication with a
neutral third party. In the event of a more severe problem or serious
personality conflict, the Global Insights National Office Staff may become
involved. If a problem is deemed too great to overcome, students may be removed
from a host family and/or returned to their home country. |