Host Families - Guide for Host Families

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Acting as host parents and family for an overseas student can be a tremendously rewarding experience for you and your family. You play a very important role in assisting with the success of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. The most important requirement when hosting a student is that you establish good communication and understanding.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOST PARENTS

As host parents for a student you have important obligations. To treat the student as one of your family, care for their wellbeing and to offer guidance when it is needed. To provide room and board for the student and include them in all of the family activities. To supervise and monitor the school and leisure activities of the student so as to try to ensure that any problems are recognized, minimized, and/or solved. To explain to the student what is required of them while hosted in your home. The student should conform to your supervision. It is desirable the student has a room of their own, or alternatively, shares with someone of the same sex. If you are a host family without a Rotary member you will need to maintain good communication with the Hosting Rotary Club. This is best done through the Club Counselor. If you have any persisting problems with, or questions about, the student or the hosting then you should first approach the Club Counselor.

COUNSELOR

The Host Rotary Club should have appointed a Counselor to act as a Guardian to the student for their year in the USA. The student is expected to go to the Counselor for guidance on any problems that arise which cannot be resolved within the Host Family. The Counselor is also available to help you, the Host Family, with any problems that you encounter in hosting the student. Do not hesitate to consult with the Student's Counselor if problems of any kind arise. As soon as the club has appointed the Counselor and the host families have been organized the Counselor should then have arranged a get-together of the host families. At the same meeting the ground rules for the coming exchange should have been discussed so that all the host families and the Counselor treats the student the same. If you do not know who is Counselor ask the Club President.

THE STUDENT AS PART OF THE FAMILY

You and your family should NOT treat the student as a Special or Honored Guest. Rather they should truly be treated as ONE OF THE FAMILY. You should include the Student in family plans whenever possible and the student should take part in doing the family chores. Decide what the student is to call you, e.g. Mom & Dad or Mr. & Mrs., the student should have a list of questions that should be discussed at the beginning of their stay.

HOUSEHOLD CHORES

The student should make their own bed and keep their room tidy. It is important that they are allowed to assist with the normal household chores.

HOMESICKNESS

Every student experiences some degree of homesickness. If the student spends a lot of time alone this could be a danger signal that all is not well. It is natural that the student will spend some time alone in their room. At times this allows them to cope with homesickness and to write their diary, reports and letters or to just relax. Being involved in the community and school helps to stop homesickness. Encourage the student to be involved.

PRIVACY

The student is entitled to have some privacy.

DISCIPLINE

Be understanding and flexible with the student. The student is expected to adapt to your supervision and discipline. If there is any sign of reluctance or unwillingness to do so you should bring this to the attention of the Counselor.

TELEPHONE CALLS

As soon as the student moves in with you ensure that they are told the rules about use of the telephone, and payment for calls.

RELIGION

While students are expected to be flexible, if the student does not wish to attend church/synagogue with you they should not be forced to do so. If they wish to follow their own religion you should make every effort to assist them.

CHANGE OF HOST FAMILIES

The Counselor should keep you advised about the hosting arrangements and ensure that you know in advance when each change of home is to take place. It is a help if the current host family meets with the next family to discuss the student's habits, likes, dislikes or anything else that may help the exchange.

FINANCES

The Host Rotary Club provides the Student with a monthly allowance, The student will have some funds of their own. The student will also have an emergency fund. You are not required to provide the student with spending money or to finance clothing, travel or any other expenses. As you are treating the student as part of your family there will probably be times when you pay for the student.

MONEY PROBLEMS

You may need to advise and help the student with their budget. They may need advice on the purchasing of clothes and other general requirements. You should discourage the student from borrowing money or purchasing on your accounts.

SCHOOLING

A requirement of the program is that the student must attend school on a regular basis. The Counselor should arrange for the school uniform and any other requisites that may be needed. You are required to supervise the day to day attendance of the student and to encourage them to participate in all school activities both academic and extra curricular. You should always provide the student with a note for the principal or teacher to excuse them if they need to miss school for any reason. It is very important that the school is kept fully informed regarding the student's activities.

TRAVEL

You are not under any obligation to take the student on vacation or trips but if you are able to do so then both the student and you will gain something from it. If you are unable to take the student away during the school vacations the Counselor should be advised so that there may be the opportunity for other arrangements to be made. The members of the Rotary Club are encouraged to invite the student along whenever they are planning a weekend away or any other short trip to places or events that may be of interest to the student. These arrangements or invitations should be made by discussing them first with you, and then the Counselor. In the Exchange Guidelines given to the student, there are the requirements that need to be followed for travel. They are as follows: The student must have obtained the written approval of their parent(s) or guardian(s) AND the verbal approval of the Chairman of District Youth Exchange Committee for any overseas travel during their exchange year prior to the journey being undertaken. The Host Parent(s) must approve all other travel. Overnight or extended travel will also require the approval of the Host Club. The school should be advised if the student is to be absent.

DRIVING

You must ensure that the student does not drive any motorized vehicle, whether the vehicle is registered or not and on private land or not.

ALCOHOL

The student should not drink alcoholic beverages in a public place or on licensed premises. If a problem arises or is suspected you should speak to the student and advise the Counselor. If the student is used to drinking alcohol and you wish to allow them to partake in your home then this is permissible but it must be in moderation and under your supervision.

DRUGS

The student must not possess, use, cultivate or manufacture any illegal drugs or prohibited or restricted substances. If you suspect any breach of these terms you should immediately report this to the Counselor.

PROMISCUITY

If you suspect that the student is promiscuous you should discuss the matter with the student. If the behavior persists you should bring the matter to the attention of the Counselor.

ROMANCE

Students should avoid serious romantic attachments. If you consider that a relationship is developing you should discuss the matter with the student and advise the Counselor so that other action may be taken.

CONCLUSION

All of the above requirements, rules and guidelines are given to the student in writing and are discussed with the student a number of times. Host families always also have the support and assistance of the District Youth Exchange Committee.