International Student Hosting and Guest Guidelines
Hosting International Students International Student Guest Guidelines HOSTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International students are often in need of local George School host families during the long weekend breaks that occur in the fall (Visiting Day Weekend) and winter (Conference Day Weekend) as well as during short breaks, such as Thanksgiving in late November.
Hosting international students can be an enjoyable and educational experience for all involved. We hope that the following questions and answers will be helpful to hosting families who take part in this program. (See also Student Guest Guidelines to get another perspective on this experience.)
1. Will my guest student be compatible with our family? International students and prospective host families should both complete the short information form that is provided by the school to facilitate the most compatible matches. The form will not only provide all parties with information about common interests, but also will contain information about pets, allergies, and any special circumstances.
2. Do I have to have a separate bedroom for the guest student? No, it is fine for same-sex students to room together.
3. Do I have to entertain the guest student or plan special activities? While arranging special activities can be fun for everyone, your family might prefer to use school breaks to relax and get some extra rest. Often guest students feel the same way. After living in a dorm and being kept on a schedule for most of the year, students could find the opportunity to relax in a homey atmosphere a welcome treat.
4. What do I do if my guest student simply wants to stay in his or her room and read? Again, this might be exactly what that student needs to do to unwind. Remember, being far from home and having little privacy can be very stressful. It is best to offer the guest student the opportunity to participate in family activities and then leave the decision up to him or her.
5. Do I have to require a student to study over the break? No. The students are solely responsible for determining whether or not they need to study over the break.
6. What do I do if a guest student becomes ill or needs to go to the hospital? Host parents will be furnished with the name and phone number of the guest student's state-side guardian, should there be a need for hospitalization. In the case of hospitalization, George School should also be notified. However, for less serious illness, it is expected that you will care for the student in the same manner that you would care for your own child.
7. May I split the time I am hosting a student during the break with another host family? As long as George School and all parties are in agreement, it is fine to split the time that you will be hosting a student.
8. Am I expected to bear the cost of any activity to which we take a guest student? You are not expected to pay for the entertainment of any student. However, it is only fair to give the student an idea of how much money he or she will need over the break, especially if it is a somewhat substantial amount. For instance, if you are planning a ski trip, the guest student would certainly have to know that in advance and be made aware of the cost.
9. Is it best to host two students at the same time, or just one? That answer depends on the individual student and the host family. Some young people are able to make themselves at home wherever they might be and don't need the reassurance of having a friend along. Others might feel more comfortable when they are with another student who speaks their native language. However, if your goal is to integrate the guest student into your family and to share customs and language, then perhaps one student is better for you. The George School information form addresses these issues.
10. May I treat my guest student as a member of the family and expect him or her to do the same things I expect of my own children, such as clearing the table or making the bed? We would hope that all guest students would take the initiative to offer to help with everyday tasks such as these; however, if they do not, it is perfectly acceptable to ask them for assistance. The goal of this program is not to create more work for our host families, but to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our international students while they are away from home. In general, nothing makes a person feel more a part of a family than to be able to participate as a family member.
11. Are there any legal issues or obligations when housing a guest student? Your legal responsibilities are no greater than any other time your child might bring a friend home to stay for the night. However, it is expected that all host families will sign a "safe house" pledge which is a promise not to make tobacco, alcohol, or drugs available to any George School student.
12. If I agree to host a student on one occasion, am I obligated to do so again? No, students' visits to host families are arranged for one school break at a time.
13. Will my guest student be able to communicate with me in English if I am not familiar with his or her native language? Foreign-born students have different language abilities. Some students come to George School with a very good command of the English language, while others are still shy about using their English. Every student is, at the very least, fluent enough to make their way about George School on a daily basis. If you are anxious about hosting a student with very limited ability to speak English, it is best to say so on your information form. However, we find that most students and families find a way to communicate. A friendly smile and a caring gesture go a long way in making students feel welcome and relaxed. Also, guest students are encouraged to speak as much English as possible when in a host family home.
14. Is there anything else I should know about hosting a student with limited language ability? Yes, trying to speak in a language other than your native language for extended periods of time can be exhausting, so be patient with your student and don't be offended if he or she does not try to keep up a constant conversation. Also, some students are embarrassed by their limited ability, so letting them see that you are pleased with their efforts is a wonderful way to encourage your student to use this time with you to improve their English.
15. Is it important for me to know anything in particular about my guest student's culture? Of course, it is always nice to understand a bit about a person's background, but it is not necessary. If you would like more information about your student's culture, the international student sponsor will be more than happy to provide that to you.
RETURN TO TOP INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUEST GUIDELINES International students are often in need of local George School host families during the long weekend breaks that occur in the fall (Visiting Day Weekend) and winter (Conference Day Weekend) as well as during short breaks, such as Thanksgiving in late November.
Staying with local host families during those breaks is an enjoyable and educational experience for all involved. We hope that the following questions and answers will be helpful to students who take part in this program. (See also Hosting International Students to get another perspective on this experience.)
1. Will I stay with my U.S. guardian during my short breaks? When guardians are nearby, and willing to host their students during a break, that is fine. However, U.S. guardians are not always within a convenient distance from the school to make staying with them during short breaks possible. It is under these circumstances that we try to arrange a George School host family to house you for the break.
2. Do I get to choose my host family? If you are invited by a friend to stay with a George School family over the break, we certainly would encourage you to do so. However, if you are in need of housing during a break, but have not received an invitation, the George School Deans’ Office and international student sponsor will do their best to match you with a compatible host family. You will be asked to complete an information form which is a tremendous help when pairing up families and students. The more complete and accurate your information is on this form, the better your host family will know you and your needs.
3. What if I am not fluent in English yet? Am I expected to speak English during my entire stay? Your host family will be made aware of you language abilities and will not be expecting perfection. However, we do encourage you to try to speak as much English as possible during your visit. This is a great opportunity to improve your speaking skills and you will probably find that your host family is more than willing to help you.
4. Do I have to participate in everything that my host family does? If your host family has special plans for the break, you will be made aware of them before you accept their invitation. Some families enjoy staying home and resting during the break, while others prefer to go on short trips. You will not be expected to stay with any family whose plans would create a financial hardship for you. However, if you agree to stay with a host family, it is expected that you will integrate yourself into their family life to some extent. It is always expected that your visit should not create additional work for your host family, so please be polite and make your bed, clean up your dishes, and keep your room tidy.
5. May I take a friend along with me on my stay? This would be up to the host family. Some families might prefer two students at a time, while others are comfortable only hosting one student.
6. Will the family I stay with be the family of a student I know from my classes? Not necessarily. It is not always possible to match students with families that have children in the same classes. Since George School is such a small and friendly community, you will at least know your host student from seeing them on campus and saying “hello.”
7. If I am a vegetarian, allergic to cats, or afraid of dogs, will my host family know? Yes, as long as you include these facts on your information sheet. Our staff would never place a student in a home where dietary restrictions could not be honored or in a home where your health or safety would be compromised.
8. What if I don’t get along with my host family? While George School does its best to create compatible matches between students and families, there is a possibility that personalities might clash. Since these stays are of relatively short duration, it is expected that both the host family and student will try to make the best of any situation. Remember, however, that host families volunteer to take in our students, so we know that they will do their best to make you feel at home.
Please remember that the George School staff and the international student sponsor are always happy to answer questions regarding this program! RETURN TO TOP