Wenona/Toluca Rotary Clubs: have an exchange student from Taiwan. He is a 16 year old boy named Justin Chen; We are looking for several families to host him for about 3 to 4 months.
A host family is a vital part of the cultural exchange, immersing the student in a variety of activities while in the host country. The host family plays a large role in offering the student a view of another country and gains the opportunity to learn about a new culture from a young leader. The following information will help prepare host families willing to explore the challenge of welcoming a student into their home for a meaningful exchange.
Hosting is a tremendous experience in which you can share in a young person\'s hopes and dreams and develop a life long connection with a student and family from another country. It can be challenging to help a young person transition to a new culture and ease into the surroundings but the rewards are immeasurable.
Host families in the Youth Exchange program come in all shapes and sizes. They can be Rotarians or non-Rotarians, and may include young children, older children, no children at all or single parent family ..
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
•Participate in training and orientation sessions offered by the club or district.
•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, 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.
•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.
If you are interested in being a host family contact: Matt Weber 309-238-8686,weber_1989@hotmail.com or Joe Miller 309-432-2100 immanuel.bethany.pastor@gmail.com or Roger Gabrielse 815-343-8100, rgabrielse@mchsi.com