international Experience (iE), with US Department of State support, is planning to welcome exchange students to the US for the 2020-21 school year. We continue to monitor recommendations from the CDC, WHO and Department of State, and will adjust our program as necessary, always acting with student and host family health in mind. Reaching out for more info or even registering on our website does NOT obligate you to host if your family should reconsider later this summer.
So now that all of my disclaimers are out of the way... let's jump in to what we're looking for!
A volunteer host family fills the place of a parent during a student's exchange year/semester abroad. We're looking for families/adults/empty nesters/single adults/parents with toddlers/parents with teens (there are LOTS of types of families!) who will provide a safe & caring home environment, basic room & board (3 meals/day and a permanent bed - can share a room with a host sibling of the same gender within 3 years of age), and reasonable transportation (to & from team practices, rides to the mall, pick-ups from a friend's house, etc).
We have a vetting process for host families to ensure the safety of all - including an online application (www.ie-usa.org), a criminal background check (for any family member 18+ living at home full time) and in-home interview. We also call references as provided in the application. Students go through a similar vetting process, and also need teacher's recommendations and a English proficiency exam. iE requires a minimum English language score in order to gain admittance into the program.
Students come with a willingness and openness to learn - about a new culture, a new high school, a new family, a new city/state - and also to share about their country and way of life. Host families can gain a relationship that can truly last a lifetime.
We have several Local Coordinators in your area who would love to help you with this experience!
Reach out today for more information or just to have a conversation about what hosting could look like for your family. Call/text Regional Director Judy at 920-241-3878 or email j.hintz@international-experience.net. If hosting isn't right for you but you know someone who would make a PERFECT host family, make a referral on our website and earn $200! https://www.ie-usa.org/make-a-referral/host-family-referral-200/
