Becoming a HOST FAMILY (APPLICATION FOR HOST FAMILY)

hosting@interculturalnova.com

Hosting program

When you host a foreign exchange student you and your family will acquire a new insight about different cultures, languages and people. There's something quite rewarding about having friends throughout the world. Plus you'll also get the satisfaction of knowing you have provided a once in a lifetime educational opportunity to a deserving young student.  

To find out how you can apply to host a foreign exchange student, become a foreign exchange student or represent foreign exchange students in your area, please send us an e-mail with the host application and a representative will get in contact with you once the organization  determines if hosting a foreign exchange student is right for you and your family.  

Would these be the answers to why you want to become a host family?

• I enjoy meeting and helping people.

• I could easily welcome guests as friends into my home and life.

• I have a guest room that is private, clean and comfortable.

• All members of my home think this is a good idea.

• I am willing to provide guests with at least breakfast and an evening meal during the week.

• I can provide the guest with a comfortable bed, wardrobe and a study desk or table with a reading light and a chair.

• Guest are welcome to use my washing machine and dryer by themselves. (Alternatively you may like to offer to do their washing).

• I should be home for the guests arrival and departure.

• I will not go on holiday or leave home during the guest's stay. If an emergency causes an unpredicted absence, I will let the guest know as soon as possible.

TIPS FOR HOST FAMILIES

Encourage your homestay Guests to use E-Mail if you have service in your home. This is a good way for them to keep in touch with family and friends back home.  However, If you have a computer with internet service in your home, you may want to consider setting limits on how much they use the computer.

Encourage your Guest to join you at least once a week for some activity. A home cooked dinner and comfortable conversation is always good, or a simple walk around the neighborhood or a shopping day at the local mall.

Make of list of household rules that you would like your homestay Guest to follow. Write them down for the Guest so he or she knows what’s expected.  

Provide a house key for your homestay guest so he or she can let themselves in when you are asleep or not home. If you have an alarm in your home, make sure your guest knows the password or code.

Provide your home Guest with a work telephone or cell number just in case they get lost in the city. This is extremely important when your homestay guest first arrives. The city will be foreign to them and they could get lost easy. Make sure that they should always carry your address and home phone number.

Always keep on hand a contact number of a relative in the Guest’s home country.

Make sure your homestay Guest has adequate medical insurance.  Also, find out if they have any allergies.

Maps of the area: It’s nice to have on hand a general map of the area and local bus routes for your homestay Guest to go exploring.   After they arrive, consider driving them around the area to point out local landmarks in case they get lost. Or if your homestay guest will take public transportation, why not take a ride with them on a local bus? Also, if there are any areas where you feel your Guest should not go, let them know right away.