| Student Guidelines |
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>> Download Student Homestay Guidelines in PDF.
Congratulations on having made the decision to study in the US. Choosing to live with a host family can be one of the most important decisions you make, affecting your development for years to come. You will be dealing with different cultural values, language barriers, and social issues. Some adjustments need to be made by you as well as by your host family. What we hope is to make this a valuable experience for you, both in terms of education and personal satisfaction. In order to assure that you have a safe, rewarding and educational experience, our organization has established the following guidelines. It is essential that you read and understand them.
- Housing application fee:
College Students - A non-refundable application fee is due with your application. Airport Pick Up is not included.
High School Students - A non-refundable application fee is due with your application. Airport Pick Up is not included. High School service fee is for one school year (regardless of your move in). ). If student decides to stay for a second year a new service fee will be charged.
Housing Damage Deposit - This is due with your application. Your deposit is refundable with no damage to host family properties, two week written move out notice given to your host family. We will refund after you move out. Please note that deposit must be requested within six months of move out.
Airport Pick Up Service-Airport pick up must be arranged with USAI. USAI provides this service at an additional charge to the student. A USAI staff or host family will pick you up. Please apply at least two weeks prior to arrival.
- Insurance: All students are required to have proof of medical insurance at all times. It is also recommended that students purchase accident and property insurance. Host family insurance does not cover students. If you decide to drive, you must have automobile insurance. Automobile insurance is required by law.
- Host Family: Please remember that each host family is different. Student understands that families are diverse with different cultural backgrounds. Some families are families with or without children, single parents, single adults, and retired people. Host may host more than one International student. They are very excited to host International students. As it is very difficult finding host families, please be thankful to them for sharing their home with you.
- House Rules: Please follow the rules of your host family. Each family will have their own rules and lifestyle. Many families will have the rules written for you. Your host family has kindly allowed you to become a part of their family, for which they deserve your appreciation and respect. What your host family requires of you may be different from what your friends' host families require of them.
- Household Duties: Living with a host family means that you are a part of the family. It is your responsibility to share household chores with your family. Please remember to clean up after yourself (washing dishes, turning off electrical appliances) You must keep your room and shared bathroom clean and organized at all times, which includes making your own bed and washing your own clothes.
- Meals: Your family will provide you with three meals each day. Most families have working parents who leave for work early. As a result, students are expected to make their own for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is generally only cereal, toast and some juice or tea/coffee. You may prepare lunch to bring to school. Generally dinner is a sit-down meal with the family. If you will not join the family for dinner please let you family know ahead of time. Non essential groceries (eg. Snacks, soda) are not included.
- Energy Conservation: Most families are very conservative and care about the environment. Please be conservative by turning off lights when you leave a room, taking short showers or baths, if you are cold please wear extra sweaters and ask your family for extra blankets. In the US the washing machine and dryer is very big and therefore families usually do laundry once a week.
- Relatives/Guests: Please do not have relatives or guest stay at your host family's house during your first three months. After three months, you must obtain permission from your host family and USA International prior to inviting anyone to stay at your host family's home. If your guest stays more than two nights there may be an additional charge paid to host family.
- Personal Belongings: Students are responsible for their own personal belongings whether at home or at school. USA INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for your personal belongings. Remember not to carry a lot of cash with you, and always keep your valuable belongings secure and locked. Students are encouraged to have property insurance. Host Family insurance does not cover student's property in case of loss or damage.
- Communication: It is important to communicate with your host family. If you do not understand your host family, it is nice to tell them that you do not understand. Please communicate in writing if something is important. If you will be late coming home, please remember to let your host family know ahead of time or please call them so that they do not worry.
- Money: You should not lend money to or borrow money from you host family or anyone else. If you need money, contact USA International so we may be able to contact your family and/or agency.
- Telephone: Ask your host family about telephone rules since each family has different rules. Please do not make long distance phone calls from your host family's phone. Instead, we advise you to use a calling card, purchase a cellular phone or make collect calls only. Please do not make or have people call you late at night.
- Internet Connection: Internet connection is not guaranteed. Some families may charge an extra fee.
- Damages: Students are responsible for any damage to their host families' house that they cause. Please ask your host family about changing anything in your room (moving furniture, placing things on the wall and so on.)
- Transportation: Please do not ask your host family to drive you around too often. Students must be able to take the public bus to school and other places. Please do not ask your host family to be taxi drivers for you.
- Monthly Stipend (subject to change):
College Students - You are responsible to pay your host family a monthly stipend of $600/$625 per month for year 2010.
High School Students - The Homestay monthly stipend is $650-$900 per month for year 2010 depending on high school. Monthly stipend is payable in advance to USA International.
Homestay stipend is for room and board only. Other expenses such as bus fare, transportation, movie and personal items are to be paid by you. The stipend is due upon your move-in date and every month thereafter and should be paid directly to your host family. If students move out earlier, we will not guarantee or be responsible for a refund. Please pay using a personal check or money order. In the event that you pay with cash, be sure to get a written receipt from your host family. - Stipend Refunds: If the student and/or host family have a disagreement and student decides to or is asked to move out suddenly, USA INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for any refund. Please be aware some families do not refund unused stipend.
- Housing Commitment:
College Students - Students are expected to stay with their host family for a minimum of one quarter.
High School Students - Students are expected to stay with their host family for one school year (Sept-June).
Students must understand that homestay is not temporary housing while looking for other accommodations such as apartments. Host families look forward in hosting and getting ready to host you. You must give your host family a two week (14days) written notice prior to moving out. If you do not give notice, you will be required to pay the full one-month homestay fee. The move out form is available on our website. For notices less than 14 days, you will be required to pay for one-month homestay fee. Please call USA INTERNATIONAL immediately when you decide to move out. - Trial Period: The first month is a trial period. Both Student and Host Family will make a good faith effort to make the host arrangement work. However, if the student or host family feels that it is not a good match the student or the host family will give the other a two week written notice to move out and the stipend will be pro-rated and refunded. USA INTERNATIONAL does not guarantee that the host family will give any refund. It may be necessary for the student to stay with the family for the first 30 days before a new accommodation can be arranged. If you want to change your host family after the trial period there will be a service charge.
- Problems: If you have a problem with your host family, please call USA INTERNATIONAL immediately. USA INTERNATIONAL is here to help you.
- Removal from Host Family: The host family and USAI reserves the right to remove a student at any time for violating house rules, student engaging in any illegal activity, rude and impolite behavior and language. Student will not receive any refund for any fees paid. If the student and/or host family have a disagreement and the student decides to or is asked to move out suddenly there is no guarantee of any refund.
- Avoid Illegal Activities: You are required to follow local, state and federal laws while living in the United States. You may lose your student visa status (F-1, J-1) depending on the degree of your illegal activities. Be cautious about drinking alcohol or driving without a driver's license/auto insurance. Please note it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to smoke or use tobacco, and people under the age of 21 cannot drink alcohol.
- Warranties: I warrant that all the information provided is true and correct, I am not a sex offender, and I have not been convicted of any crime.
- Hold Harmless and Indemnification: USAI will be held harmless from and against all claims, damages, actions, liability, and expense concerning loss of life, or personal property arising from a student participating in our housing programs. I understand that the hosts are not employees or agents and that USAI has no control of host's behavior. I assume all the risks associated with injury or loss arising from my host families' behavior. I release USAI of any liability and claims against my host families' behavior.