InterStudies Host Family Handbook

Transcription

1 InterStudies Host Family Handbook InterStudies Compass House, Vision Park Chivers Way, Histon Cambridge CB24 9AD United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44(0)

2 CONTENTS Introduction 3 InterStudies - who are we? 3 Child Protection 3 Our programme 3 Why host? 4 What should a host family expect? 4 The InterStudies team 5 Support network 5 If your student needs medical attention 5 Payment 5 Before your student arrives 6 Arrival information 7 Programme Rules 7 Visits and travel 8 PROGRAMME POLICIES 8 If your student wishes to work 8 Religion 8 Money 9 Insurance 9 Programme extension 9 THE ARRIVAL DAY 9 Meeting your student at the airport 9 Coming home 9 The following day 10 Going to school 10 Everyday life with your student 10 Household chores 11 POTENTIAL CHALLENGES 11 Homesickness 11 Comparing and sharing 11 Treating your student as a family member 12 Curfews and knowing where your student is 12 Sharing the bathroom 12 Cleanliness 12 Tidying up 12 Dating 12 Language skills 13 Resolving an issue 13 At the end of the stay 13 Contact information 15 2

3 Introduction Thank you for choosing to host with InterStudies. Hosting a cultural exchange student is an enjoyable, educational and sometimes challenging experience. Bringing together different cultures and different ways of life is rewarding and beneficial in many ways. It will no doubt provide both you and your student with many happy memories. We would like to help you enjoy having your exchange student as a member of your family, and we have designed this manual to guide you through what we expect will be an enjoyable hosting experience. InterStudies - who are we? InterStudies is a well established UK based organisation We have a nationwide network of dedicated local area representatives throughout Britain and in Ireland, and a regional and international management team, all of whom are there to help things go smoothly for you. Through our Partner organisations based in many parts of the world we are represented in many parts of the world. Partners are the students own organisations that they come through. At InterStudies we strive to present an unrivalled quality in our work at all levels, and we wish to offer the highest level of service possible. There is no better way to learn a language and culture than LIVING IT and students from all over the world take this opportunity through InterStudies. Child Protection At InterStudies we take our responsibility for our students very seriously and we have therefore implemented a child protection policy setting guidelines which all our staff must follow to ensure that our students are protected from harm Our programme InterStudies work to put together the best programme to give students and their host families. Basically we offer a cultural exchange programme, involving staying with a local host family, attending a local school and being supervised by a local Area Representative. We are continually working to make our programme more efficient and professional. While we will actively seek evaluations, we also welcome you to share any comments or suggestions you have before, during, or after your student's stay. Please feel free to write, or call us at any time. You can also visit us at Partner organisations InterStudies is represented in other countries through own and partner organisations As InterStudies coordinates the recruitment, screening, selection, and preparation of host families, our partner organisations handle the recruitment, screening, selection, and preparation of the students prior to their departures. All participants are screened to determine that they are qualified and that the programme is suitable to their backgrounds, needs and experiences. Students are also interviewed and/or tested to assess that their proficiency in English is sufficient for participation and that they are mature, adaptable and have the necessary academic level. 3

4 InterStudies' international headquarters office is in regular communication with the partner organisations regarding the progress of each student. All information relevant to a student's exchange is communicated to the partner organisation and they pass on the information to the student's natural family. InterStudies does not contact the natural families directly; communication between the natural parents and the exchange programme is always handled through the partner offices. Natural parents may be in direct contact with host families, but not with our local area representatives. Why host? Families choosing to host exchange students do this for a number of reasons To welcome a different culture into their home To enjoy the company To give their own children an international experience To put a spare room to good use while providing a caring home for a foreign teenager The reasons are many, and a lot of host families make friends for life, not only with their students but sometimes also with the natural parents, travelling to visit other parts of the world when their students have returned. Why not host? Some families see students as a way of making an income. This is in a way fair enough, and we do cover expenses with a monthly contribution. It is, however, very important that the students are regarded and treated as family members and not primarily looked upon as a source of income. Making your student feel welcome is essential. Students will not feel welcome if told that the monthly contribution is insufficient. Therefore please refrain from discussing or mentioning the monthly contribution to your student. What should a host family expect? Great times and challenges! To learn about another culture and language Different cultural values and mannerisms. One specific difference is that many cultures do not use the words 'Please' and 'Thank you' as we do. Do not be offended if your student does not use them, they are not being rude on purpose. You should explain to them how we use them and ask them to use them in the same way. Remember it won't happen overnight! As a host family, you will be challenged and rewarded by working through any problems that may arise during the exchange. Just as in the relationships within your own family, meeting and overcoming these with your student will form a bond that will last a lifetime. Hosting long term students gives you the opportunity to form lasting friendships and enjoy a new member within your family. However, you cannot expect this programme to be without challenges. Your student will be hundreds of miles away from his/her family, friends, culture, and language, and he/she will be staying with your family for quite a while. There will be lots of adjustments for them to make. There is no such thing as a typical host family. Families can be married, single, retired, with children and without children. What all hosts have in common is an eagerness to share their home with someone else. Families provide a caring home and daily meals, welcoming the student as a family member. It is impossible to prepare yourself for everything but reading this manual will familiarise you with the issues most commonly experienced by host families. Furthermore, this manual offers recommendations based on our years of experience of how to best approach and manage these situations. 4

5 The InterStudies team The InterStudies management team are highly qualified and experienced within the world of education and we have selected our staff for their dedication to the work we do as well as personal skills and their belief in our values. In your local area you will meet your local Area Representative, a very important member of the InterStudies team Each InterStudies student and host family is assigned an Area Representative. This is the person who will have the most contact with you and your student. Area Representatives are required to contact the student and host family - either in person or by telephone - at least once a month. They will also be in contact with the school. Area Representatives will submit a Monthly Progress Report directly to InterStudies Head Office. A staff member at Head Office reviews every progress report submitted. This review enables us to monitor each student's adjustment to life in the UK and Ireland, and it helps to alert us to potential problem situations. Your Area Representative is available to support you and your student throughout your student s stay. Support network In addition to the local Area Representatives, InterStudies offers a support network. Our head office staff are ready to assist in the event of an issue that requires extra support or in an emergency situation, where you or your student are unable to reach your local Area Representative. You will find contact information on the last page of this manual. If your student needs medical attention It is important that when your student arrives you take him/her to your local doctors surgery to register. Please ensure your student has their passport/id with them. If your student is ill, you will need to arrange for them to see your doctor. If there is a fee for this please ensure that your student takes necessary funds and their ID with them. Once they have seen the doctor, please ensure that your Area Representative is been informed and is aware of what is wrong with your student, so that this information can be relayed back to our Head Office. While we do not expect you to report minor things, such as a cold or a headache, we do expect you to contact your local Area Representative, if your student is missing more than a day of school due to illness or needs medical attention. In addition to this, please ensure the school has been informed of why your student is absent. In case of a medical emergency If your student is hospitalised for a medical emergency, and you cannot get hold of your Area Representative, then please contact the emergency number so that we can ensure the necessary people are informed. You will find the number on the last page of this manual. Payment The monthly payment you receive in connection with hosting is not meant to be additional income, it is meant as a contribution towards the expense of hosting an exchange student. The following is expected of you: Full board accommodation, including packed lunch if the student does not choose to eat school lunches Providing the student with their own private space with a single bed (not bunks) and sufficient storage space, such as a wardrobe and chest of drawers to store clothing, and a desk or table in a quiet area on which to study. Regarding and treating the student as a member of the family 5

6 Picking up the student from nearest major airport upon arrival and taking them for the departure Accompanying the student to school on the student s first day Informing your local InterStudies representative in case of problems or student misbehaving Passing on any information received from school on student progress/behaviour to local your InterStudies representative Following InterStudies guidelines and familiarising yourselves with the rules laid out for the students In addition to this, you may not host students from another organisation while hosting for InterStudies, in the event of other foreign students being hosted in your home your InterStudies student will be removed. Payment is made on a monthly basis, at the end of the month, and you will find the rates in the host family application you have signed when applying to host for InterStudies. In the event of a student leaving early then the payment will be broken down on a weekly basis. Phone The use of your phone and the cost is between your and the student. Please ensure that there is no money owing when the student leaves. Internet - Please be aware that there is to be no extra charge to the student for use of the internet. Key Please provide your student with a key to the front door Please contact your local Area Representative or the InterStudies Financial Manager in the event of questions regarding payment issues. You will find the contact information on the last page of this manual. We expect you to refrain from discussing or mentioning the subject of payment to your student. Before your student arrives Before your student arrives, it is important to establish a relationship between the student and your family. This will help make your initial meeting more comfortable, as everyone will feel that they already know something about one another. Additionally, it demonstrates your family's commitment and will help your student feel like a true family member much more quickly. Shortly after InterStudies has confirmed the placement of a student with your family, please contact your student and introduce yourself either by or phone. They will no doubt have questions. Here are some typical examples: Your family structure (i.e., number of children, their ages, etc.) Your family's interests, hobbies, and activities Relatives you regularly visit Your pets (i.e., what kind, how many, whether they live inside or out, etc.) The bedroom your student will sleep in (Will they be sharing?) What kind of food you typically eat Your community (i.e., rural, urban, or suburban; distance from town; population, etc.) Traditions or weekly observances your family has (i.e., attending religious services, holidays, etc.) The school (size, distance from home, sports and activities available, transportation the student will use to get to get to school, etc.) In the event of your student not being placed at the school closest to your home, there will be a reason for this Trips you are planning so that the student can budget for the extra expenses 6

7 Please make sure that you are familiar with your student s profile, and please ensure that all family members are aware that your student may call. Gather local information together such as: A map of your town/ city with the locations of your home and school clearly marked. Information, including timetables, about any public transportation available (e.g. buses, trains, trams etc.). Pictures and information on nearby points of interest or places you intend to show the student. Please go through this manual together as a family Discuss how you intend to make your student feel welcome and part of the family. Talk about how you will deal with different situations. It will be useful if all members of the family (who are old enough!) read this manual and talk about it. Remember this manual is designed to guide you. Arrival information The student or partner organisation will arrange the travel. InterStudies are notified of the itinerary once travel schedules have been confirmed. InterStudies will inform your Area Representative who in turn informs you. You are expected to meet your student at the airport. Programme Rules Please make sure you understand the programme rules your student has to follow. Breaking the rules may result in them being dismissed from the programme and being sent home. Some of the main programme rules for students are listed below. These rules are clearly explained to students, both in their Student Handbook and at their Orientation Meeting. Students are not allowed to use, sell or purchase illegal substances (drugs) and any association with drugs will result in dismissal from the programme. Students cannot drive a car or other motorised vehicle while participating in the programme. Students are not allowed to drink alcohol. The only exception from this is if their host family offers them a drink, e.g. a beer or glass of wine with a meal. Students cannot leave the local area without permission from their area representative. Please see the next section on travel rules for more detail about this. Students cannot take any time off school without permission from us and such permission will only be granted in case of very special circumstances. It is important that the students understand the consequences if they do break the rules. If unacceptable behaviour is reported the student will either be placed on probation (which is a written warning, explaining what they have done wrong, and what they need to do to correct their behaviour) or dismissed from the programme. Being expelled from school will result in dismissal from the programme. 7

8 Visits and travel You might feel our travel rules are a bit harsh, but we have learnt through experience that if student s family or friends visit it can cause homesickness and badly disrupt the student s chance of completing the programme. Same goes for students returning home during the programme. For these reasons the following rules apply to visits and trips home: Visits from friends and family from home are generally not allowed during the student s stay. Exceptions are occasionally made to this towards the end of the student s stay, however the students parents must ask InterStudies head office before arranging to visit. Family and friends can pick up the student at the end of the programme, in which case the student must remove all their belongings for the host family s home at the end of the programme. Trips home are only approved under exceptional circumstances. Travel in connection with medical or educational requirements may be allowed if deemed necessary. Permission must be obtained from InterStudies in advance and time off school will not normally be permitted. Christmas, birthdays, weddings, family reunions are not considered good reasons to return home. Students are allowed to travel freely within the local area (i.e. the town in which you live) though they should of course make you aware of where they are, and when they will be home If students wish to go on a day trip outside the local area (e.g. to another city), then they must inform their area rep Travel outside the local area which involves staying overnight will only be permitted if it is part of an organised trip e.g. an InterStudies excursion, or a trip organised by their school or a local youth group. Students must apply for permission for such trips, they should ask their local area rep for further information Overnight stay within the local area, such as a sleepover at a friend s house, is permissible at your discretion. If you give your student permission to stay with a friend then you must make sure that you know the family they will be staying with, just as you would for your own son or daughter Any travel undertaken without the permission of the head office, or not fulfilling these conditions, will most likely result in the student been dismissed from the programme, and sent home. PROGRAMME POLICIES If your student wishes to work If your student wishes to obtain a part time job, this is allowed as long as it does not affect their school work, providing your student is from a country within the EU. However, since employment would only be possible in a legal part-time position, the student will require a National Insurance number. This is a long and complicated process. We recommend that students visit local charity shops or volunteering organisations to see if they can help out. Volunteering is a good way of making more friends and an excellent addition to their C.V. Religion As we all know the topic of religion can be sensitive and sometimes controversial. Naturally you might have different views and the student may not wish to follow your religious practices and activities. We ask that you respect their beliefs and religious preferences. These differences, when discussed in a positive manner, can contribute significantly to the exchange experience. You will see their religion listed on their profile. 8

9 Money Students are advised to have a monthly budget to cover expenses outside the host family home. Your student may want to open a bank account in the UK please assist in them with this Your student should be the only person with access to the account. It may be the first account they have had please advise them. Do not lend your student money. InterStudies cannot be held responsible for any loans left unpaid. Money for personal expenses, medical bills and other extras come from their natural family. If your student needs additional funds they should contact their natural parents and they can transfer the money into their account. NEVER borrow money from your student. Borrowing and lending can lead to serious arguments and can permanently damage the student/host family relationship. Your student is advised to never leave cash in their bedroom. Insurance We ask our students to take out their own insurance to cover liability while they are here. It is, of course, acceptable to ask the student to pay for a breakage if they were the cause of it, but please note that InterStudies cannot undertake to recover money to cover damages, and InterStudies cannot accept responsibility for breakages or damage. We therefore suggest that you to check that you are covered by insurance should there be an accidental damage caused by the student. Programme extension Should your student wish to extend their stay, please ensure this is arranged with Head Office. No extra payment will be made to you for hosting unless previously agreed in writing, prior to the extension. THE ARRIVAL DAY Meeting your student at the airport You will have been informed of the flight details by your Area Representative and will have communicated with your student and his/her family with regards to meeting the student. It is very important that a member of your family will be waiting for the student when he/she steps off the plane First impressions student arrives in unknown airport in foreign country and sees a big sign with their name on it being held up by someone with a big grin on their face followed by a welcoming hug. That is what they need! Coming home The student should call their natural parents to let them know that they are safe. Be prepared for this call to be emotional and be there after the call has ended. Show your student their bedroom, bathroom and where the basic things are. A full explanation of how things work can wait until the following day unless your toilet needs a double flush or your shower is temperamental Remember the student will be tired and maybe hungry after travelling A nice meal will go a long way to making them feel better. 9

10 The following day Show the student the rest of the house Explain how the shower works, which tap is hot and which is cold. How appliances in the kitchen work. How to lock the front door at night. Never assume that the student will know and remember that they might be to embarrassed to ask. A little extra time spent orientating your student now will prevent embarrassing misunderstandings in the future. Show your student around your local area to familiarise him/her with their surroundings. Becoming comfortable in their new neighbourhood is something that will happen gradually. Encourage your student to ask questions. Introduce him/her to your neighbours and other members of your community and show him/her where the nearest bus stop is. Introduce the student to your basic house rules and curfews Exchange contact details with your student, and ensure that they have your full address and contact details and that you have your student s mobile phone number You may need to assist your student in obtaining a local SIM and possibly unlocking their phone or purchasing a new one Going to school Help your student get to school on their first day, making sure your student knows how to get to and from school Many schools will expect you take your student and leave them with the contact person at the school. If going by public transport or school bus, please help the student obtain a bus pass. Your student will attend school on the same basis as local students this means that they must meet the requirements of the school that they attend. This includes completing homework and attending all classes. Only genuine illness is accepted as a reason for not attending classes. Should your student repeatedly fail to attend or be late, we expect you to inform your local Area Representative Everyday life with your student Do not treat your student as a guest. This is a common mistake they are a family member. Treat your student as you treat your own children Be precise about what happens if rules are broken Ensure that the same consequences will happen to your own children as to your exchange student Include your student in family routines to make him/her feel more accepted as a family member. PLEASE and THANK YOU remember that in some countries these words are not recognised in the same way as here. The student is not being rude if they do not say them explain the way we use them and it is rude not use them a cultural difference help them to get used to saying them, this will avoid many difficulties at school and with friends. They might not get into the habit straight away be patient! 10

11 Household chores Your student is not a guest and will expect to participate in household chores like any other member of the family. Doing chores e.g. together in the kitchen may also be a way to get to know each other. Discuss distribution of household chores. Share it out equally between your student and family members. Make a list of each family member's responsibilities. Include notes on when and how often chores should be done. Place the list in obvious place where it can be seen. Let your student cook a family meal introducing you to a traditional dish from their home country Please remember that your student may not have had experience in helping out at home before. It may be necessary for you to explain how to perform certain tasks. Your student should be quite willing to help, but if unsure of what you want them to do or how to do it, a misunderstanding may occur. Be sure to clearly explain what you expect, and if necessary demonstrate the tasks the first time or two for them. POTENTIAL CHALLENGES Homesickness Most students will experience homesickness at some point during their exchanges. This is normal. Encourage your student to become involved in activities with your family and their school. This will help your student to be more active and take his/her mind off home and family and help with making friends. Contact with home. It is important to dissuade your student from contacting the natural family and friends by phone, or Skype too often, for the same reasons as the travel guidelines. Help your student limit the contact with home to once a week, if necessary limit the internet access Remember more often than not if they are sad it is not a reflection of your family and home, just homesickness. Help your student by providing a warm and supportive environment. Comparing and sharing Students will often compare the way of life over here to their home, the same as we do when on holiday. Remember that if your student says something which you may take as criticism it is more than likely meant purely as noticing a difference in our way of life to theirs. If the comments upset you let your student know how it makes you feel when they critically compare the UK with their home country. Once your student becomes more conscious of his/her behaviour and sensitive to your feelings, he/she will learn to express him/her self in less judgmental terms. Because each student comes from a different background, it is possible that your student may not be accustomed to sharing certain things. It may be a difficult transition for an only child to suddenly share a room, have to share the bathroom, household items, and even your attention, with a new "brother' or "sister". Being aware of this can help you identify and address conflicts before they become serious problems. 11

12 Treating your student as a family member Treat the student as you would your own children. As mentioned previously, this involves assigning your exchange student his share of the household chores, and making them abide by the same rules as do/would apply to your other children. Do not make an exception of your student. As a parent, you must be careful not to fall into the habit of making exceptions for your student if neglecting chores or breaking the rules. To do so will put a strain on the relationships between your student and other members of your family. By expecting your student to follow the family rules and share equally in the home maintenance, you are communicating to your student that they are an important part of your family. Curfews and knowing where your student is You may find that your student was allowed greater freedom by their natural parents than you feel comfortable permitting while they are living with you. This is not unusual. In many cultures, children are accorded a high degree of responsibility, and as a byproduct, more freedom, than their UK peers. Do not let this fact make you feel pressured to alter your rules. As host parents, you are entrusted with the responsibility of looking after this student as you would your own children. Be clear with your student from the beginning about your expectations concerning curfews and how leisure time is spent. By communicating these restrictions to your student, you are confirming to then that you believe they are responsible enough to follow your rules. Let your student know what time you expect them in on school nights and at weekends. Let your student know that you would like them to call if going to be late, and let them know if there are any places or areas that are off-limits. Sharing the bathroom In many households mornings can be a hectic and rushed time of the day. If necessary set a specific time for your student to use the bathroom at a busy time. Set a time limit. Please also explain to them the condition you expect them to leave the bathroom in when they are finished! Cleanliness Tidying up Your student may not be accustomed to wearing fresh clothes each day, but please feel free to explain to your student that they should not wear clothes repeatedly without washing them. Your student may be embarrassed to include his/her clothes with the family wash. Ask if he/she would prefer to do their own, and if this is the case show him/her how to use the machine and also teach about separating coloured and white clothing. If your student has a problem with cleanliness please talk to them and explain in a kind sensitive manner. Discuss when explaining household rules. Be clear as to what you expect. Use specific examples: Clothes thrown on the floor are to be picked up and put away. Dishes to be cleared, washed and put away. The more precise and clear you are the fewer complications will arise. Dating It is fairly safe to assume that the issue of dating will arise at some point during your student's exchange. You should handle this matter with your student in the same way you would handle it with your own children. Whatever policies you have for your own children regarding dating should apply to your exchange student as well. 12

13 Language skills Even though students expecting to study here are required to demonstrate a proficiency in the English language prior to their acceptance, most students will still have some difficulty communicating in and understanding English. Be patient during conversations in the first few weeks and try to avoid slang this may cause confusion. Please make an effort to pronounce words clearly and slowly at the beginning. Please allow for misunderstandings, having the patience to make sure your message has been understood Your student s language skills will improve quickly. Resolving an issue TALK proper communication resolves most problems Make sure that you have conversations face to face with your student if there is a problem and as soon as possible. Delaying can make a small issue grow out of proportion Remember to talk in a non-threatening manner, so the response will be in the same manner. Work towards finding a mutually agreeable resolution to the problem. In addition to communicating your feelings to your student, be sure to give your student an opportunity to honestly express his feelings during this process. If you do not feel comfortable talking with your student about a particular issue, please contact your Area Representative for assistance. At times, certain issues arise between the student and their host family that cannot be resolved. As this can create a difficult situation, it sometimes becomes necessary to move a student to a new family. This is a very serious step to take and changes will not take place until all avenues of resolution have been explored and no other options exist. At the end of the stay Before your student is due to return home, you will be contacted by your Area Representative with their return flight details. Please ensure you are available to take your student back to the airport and help them check in with their bags. Good-byes are never easy. Everyone reacts to separation in a different way. You may become emotional, while your student may respond by becoming quiet and withdrawn. Do not interpret these behaviours as negative reflections on the hosting experience. It is important to remember all the enjoyable times you spent with your student. It is helpful to begin preparing yourself ahead of time for your student's departure. Several weeks prior, decide who will go to the airport and who will say good-bye at your home. Make plans to keep in touch with your student and possibly even visit one another sometime in the future. Remember the relationship you have built with your student and what you have learned through your hosting experience. Realise all the valuable insights you have gained through interactions with your student. Look back on your hosting experience and consider what a unique opportunity it has been to see another culture from another perspective. Take pride in the generosity you have shown your student, which made it possible for him/her to experience UK culture and your family's distinctive way of life. Instead of viewing your student's departure in negative terms, try to think of it as simply the closure of one chapter in your life, which will be followed by many more chapters full of new possibilities. Rather than saying "Good-bye" to each other, you can simply say, See you later! 13

14 The benefits and achievements When it is time to say goodbye, you and your student will have been through many things together. You will hopefully have gained an insight into a different culture, perhaps formed a friendship for life and added an international touch to your life. You will have helped your student experiencing a different way of life, and their parents will be grateful to you for offering their child a caring home. Your student will have learn a lot and may be a different and much more mature person than the frightened teenager you originally welcomed into your home. We hope that you and your students will have a very enjoyable experience together, and once again we would like to tae this opportunity to thank you for opening your home to an InterStudies student. 14

15 Contact information Please write down the contact information for your local InterStudies Area Representative here: Area Representative, name:.. Address:. Telephone:. Mobile: InterStudies Head Office contact information Compass House, Vision Park, Chivers Way, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9AD, United Kingdom Website: Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Tel Ireland: +353 (0) The office phones are normally answered between 9 am and 4 pm (until 2 pm on Fridays). In case of an emergency situation outside office or support hours please call the following number (please note that only genuine emergencies, such as a student being in acute danger or a life or death situation warrants an emergency call): Emergency number: +44 (0) For other contact details please see our host family website at: You can login with the user name: hostfamily And using the password hfisxuk 15