HOW TO BECOME A HOST FAMILY

APPLY - Your family will be asked to fill out an application, which provides details about your family members, interests, lifestyle, home and family rules. You will be asked for references who can attest to your suitability as a host family. This application becomes a "letter" to your future student, sent to the student you choose with pictures you provide to introduce him or her to your family and your way of life.

INTERVIEW - All family members should be present when the AYA Local Coordinator visits your home. The Local Coordinator must be sure your family understands the responsibilities of hosting, see the room where the student will sleep and study and determine that all family members agree to share the experience. The Local Coordinator must be able to answer a resounding, "Yes!" to "Would I place my own son or daughter with this family?"

CHOOSE - After you have been accepted as a host family, you will be able to choose the student you would like to welcome into your home. Your Local Coordinator will show you profiles of different students (male and female) and help you find one whose interests and background are compatible with your family's.

If your family wants to learn more about our program, call (800) 322-4678 ext. 5164 or e-mail. We will send you information and refer you to the AYA Local Coordinator in your community who can answer your questions and make an appointment to meet with you and your family.

ATTEND ORIENTATION - In the weeks before your student arrives you will be invited to a host family orientation conducted by your Local Coordinator. This will be a chance for you and your family to participate in a workshop dealing with expectations and cross cultural differences.

Sooner than you can imagine, the day will come when your student must pack his or her bags and head for home. Students hold open return tickets and will schedule their return within two weeks after the last day of school and no later than June 30. Saying goodbye is often the hardest part of the hosting experience.

What host families say about the experience | AIFS Foundation | AYA home page