Welcome to the exciting world of international education!
Many families have experienced the blessings, growth and challenges associated with hosting an international student. You are invited to consider this ministry for your own family.
International students vary in their preferences for a host home, but host families include families with high-school age children, families with younger children, single parents, and “empty nesters.”
Here are some of the many benefits associated with hosting an international student:
- A way to bring the world into your home
- Making a life-long friend
- Supporting your Christian school
- Supporting other parents in raising their child
- Earning extra income
What is expected of Host Families?
Those considering being a host family should determine if they are prepared to take in an additional child for a semester or a full school year and treat that student as their own. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- Picking up your student at the airport
- Showing patience while your student adjusts to life in the US, works on improving his English, strives to succeed in school, and makes plans to attend college in the US
- Making your student feel she is part of your family, including having her join you for family devotions and at church once per week
- Providing healthy meals on a daily basis
- Making available a private (or sometimes semi-private) bedroom and access to a single-sex bathroom
- Providing wireless internet access
- Providing safe transportation to and from school, after school activities, and social eventst
- Setting, communicating, and enforcing family standards
- Taking your student on family outings
- Encouraging, loving, and guiding, bathed in prayer
Other links under the “Resources for Host Families” tab, including the Host Family Manual, provide additional information that will help you evaluate being a host family to an international student.