Hosting
Hosting FAQs
Q. What if the host child works?A. Most American teenagers work and may not be home all the time. With prior planning, your child may be able to take some time off. Otherwise you can make arrangements for someone else to be around: another sibling, a friend, an adult. While host families are not expected to entertain the student daily, their companionship is essential to the success of the experience.Q. Are there group activities?A. It is usually better to have none in order to encourage students to concentrate on adapting to their host family and making American friends. For 2-week spring programs while school is in session, a couple of activities are organized to take the students out of the classroom.Q. What does hosting cost?A. Hosting costs only room and board. The student is treated as a member of the family, participating in the responsibilities as well as the fun of family life. Each student comes with personal spending money to cover normal teenage activities: movies, soda pop, gifts, phone calls, ice cream shops...Q. What about medical insurance?A. All students are covered by insurance. If a medical problem arises, the expenses will be covered.Q. May we take our student out of town?A. Yes, certainly. L&F simply requests knowing where to contact you in case of emergency.Q. What if a problem arises?A. Based on past experience, L&F is pleased to note that problems are rare. However, should one develop, the host family should contact the local coordinator or L&F to discuss the situation which may simply be a cultural difference. If necessary, the student will be moved.Q. Is a separate bedroom required?A. No. A bedroom may be shared with the host brother or sister. It is necessary, however, for the student to have a separate bedroom, in a non-common area (i.e. living room, open basement, etc.). A separate bedroom would only be necessary if the host family's children are very young.Q. Must the host family speak a language other than English?A. Not at all. Because the students are here to improve their English through total immersion, English is the primary language to be used. All students have had some English study.Q. What information will be provided?A. Once you have been accepted as a host family, and we have matched you with a student, you will receive the student's application, picture, and letter. You will be asked to write a letter of introduction in English to the student. You will also receive a host family guidebook with helpful information and ideas.Q. Who supervises the program?A. Group leaders, experienced L&F staff, and local coordinators will be in contact with you to provide support as needed. Our goal is a meaningful and rewarding experience for each host and student.