Rotary Youth Exchange Host Families Needed
At our last meeting we saw the presentation by our returning youth exchange students. It was an enriching experience for the girls and their host families. Both Kellie Murray and Brenna Day were great ambassadors and truly helped bring our world closer.
We learned of the need for host families for our current exchange student Arthur Hsieh fro Taiwan. He is set for the first few months of his stay with Tom and Kristin Lee, who are non-Rotarians and are hosting their 4th Rotary Youth Exchange student. However, we have yet to locate two other families for this delightful young man who attends East High School.
What is expected of a host family?
Hosting a student can be an extremely rewarding experience for everyone in the family, yet it is a role that requires a lot of responsibility. Host families are to meet the following expectations:
Before the student arrives
• Meet at your home with a Youth Exchange committee member to learn more about the program and get questions answered
• Establish communication with the student.
• Understand the program rules that the student must follow.
• Know how to contact key Rotarians involved in Youth Exchange and community services in case of an emergency.
During the exchange
• Provide a safe and welcoming environment for trust and friendship to develop between the student and your family.
• Support and make the student feel like a part of the family (not a guest), with the same privileges and obligations.
• Gently encourage the student to learn and adopt most of the ways of your household.
• Provide room and board for the student. All students must have their own bed. If the student must share a room, it should be with a child of the same gender and similar age.
• Provide a place in the home where the student may study in private.
• Recognize the student’s birthday and other special occasions.
• Ensure the student knows how to contact family members, friends, and other support networks.
• In case of an emergency, know how to access and use the student’s travel insurance policy.
• Voice any concerns and questions regarding the student to the Rotarian host counselor, including serious homesickness, difficulty adapting to family life or school, or illness.
• Maintain close contact with the host club, and address problems and concerns quickly.
Requirements of the host family
• Exercise supervisory and parental responsibility to ensure the student’s well being.
• Encourage involvement in community life by introducing the student to neighbors, friends, and local groups.
• Teach the student about the local culture, and learn about the student’s culture.
• Advise the student about matters related to school, family, community functions, and friendship.
How long will the student be living with my family?
Most long-term exchange students live with two or three host families during their exchange. This means the student may live with you for anywhere between three and six months.
In Summary
The Rotary Youth Exchange program is has been a vital part of our club for 49 years! In order to keep this program thriving it is imperative that we have more volunteers from our club (or referrals from you) to serve as host families. Too often the same families step up time and time again. Though, they are wonderful and generous, the load must be shared. If you are interested in becoming a host family please contact Anne Miller at 630-1158 or kyliescoob@aol.com. Thank you for your consideration!!
Download the website sponsorship guide