There will be an orientation before the students arrive. At that time the host family will learn more details about the itinerary and the activities planned. We’ll provide a list of all participating families in your area so that you can work out carpooling as necessary. We’ll also provide information on the students’ customs and culture.

The family should write a welcoming letter upon receipt of the student application and mail it as soon as possible. (No letters should be sent directly to China.) If you are hosting a Chinese student, please omit your return address and give the letter to your Recruiter for mailing to China. For security reasons, it has been requested that the Chinese students do not have the address and phone number of their host family before they arrive.

The family should attend the host family orientation in order to learn about specifics of the program. Post on your calendar, too!

The family will provide an extra bed and a study space for their student guest, and will provide up to three meals per day, including a sack lunch on most days.

The family should familiarize the student with its rules – when dinner is served, what the rules for “helping oneself” are, how laundry is handled. Often a tour of the home when the student first arrives can be most helpful. The student should also learn the names of family members and other visitors.

The student should be treated like a family member. Although it would not be fair to use the student as a baby-sitter, the student can pitch in the same way an American daughter or son might.

The family will transport the student to and from the academic center, or work out carpooling.

Family members can be helpful to the student’s progress by showing interest in English conversation and any required studies.

Someone should be at home during the afternoons when the student returns from the organized program, or the family should make alternate arrangements so the student will not be alone.

No attempt should ever be made to change your student’s religious beliefs. However, it is perfectly okay to give your student an opportunity to find out about your religion as part of their cultural exposure.

Guns are not a part of most other cultures. Families who have guns should not display them to the students and should keep them securely locked away at all times.

The family should accept these guidelines and the authority of the group coordinator (GC) as a representative of NISE. If problems arise which the GC cannot resolve, please contact the NISE office at (503) 222-9803 or toll free (877) 222-9803 for assistance.