By on November 18th, 2014
Can You Make Extra Income from Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student?
Are you thinking of becoming a host family for extra income? Does the thought of housing a student from a foreign country appeal to you? Do you know what a homestay entails? Read on to find out more information about the process of qualifying as a host family and welcoming a foreign exchange student into your home.
What is a Homestay?
A homestay experience is when a family in another country agrees to house an exchange student, who comes to study and learn about another culture. Homestays can be rewarding and challenging at the same time, so it is very important to understand exactly the type of commitment it requires. When a student visits a host family they are required to provide housing and in same cases food for the time agreed. Our program provides extra income to host families for extending the hospitality and use of their home.
How Homestays Work
As a host family, you should expect to be responsible for providing for an exchange student’s basic needs such as rooming, meals and a private bedroom. Over the time spent together with an exchange student, a host family should help the student become familiar with their new life and provide a relaxed and nurturing environment. Not only are there expectations for the family, but the student is also supposed to abide by certain rules and guidelines while living in the family’s home.
How is a Host Family Paid?
The extra income a host family receives while hosting a foreign exchange student will depend on the type of provisions made by the host program. A student will pay for their own insurance, an all personal items and school costs. You can visit www.ushhost.com to find out more information about how fees and expenses are address when you host a foreign exchange student.
Applying to be a Host Family
Many foreign exchange student organizations have a website available to simplify the application process. Through visiting a website for a particular hosting company, a person can find out basic information and request to receive a packet of information about the organization. The Internet is a great tool for exploring different host family requirements and you can find out about the potential for extra income, housing requirements and any other important information.
How Long Will a Student be Visiting?
A host family will need to be prepared to spend time with a student and to be flexible and understanding. You can expect your exchange student to be a guest for an average period of 4 to 10 weeks, some contracts are longer and others may be shorter. Hosting an exchange student requires commitment.
If hosting a foreign exchange student is something your family is considering, it is a good idea to contact the exchange student organization to help you receive answers to any questions and to allow you to find out any important information.
The Rewards of Hosting an Exchange Student
Aside from the extra income, a family can receive for hosting an exchange student, there are also many other rewards that come from welcoming someone from another country into your home. Many host families enjoy the opportunity to learn about life and cultural differences in another country, while others reap the reward of helping a young person achieve a goal or fulfill a dream. The benefits of hosting an exchange student are immeasurable and many families find it so interesting and enjoyable, they have gone on to do it on a regular basis.