Welcoming Your Student

1. Welcoming Your Student ¡Hola Bonjour Guten Tag Nei Ho Dzien' dobry An-nyong Ha-se-yo

2. Prior to Your Student’s Arrival • As arrival day approaches, family excitement is high, but try to keep expectations simple. • Your student is as excited as you are, and looks forward to becoming a real member of yourfamily. • As with any new relationships, things take time. Your patience, flexibility and honestcommunication will pave the way for a successful friendship and hosting experience.

3. Prior to Your Student’s Arrival • It’s a good idea to learn something about the culture and geography of your student’s home country. • Click here for a link to our Culture Notes feature to start learning about your student’s culture and customs.

4. Make Your Student Feel Welcome • Whether your student’s bedroom is private or shared, create a warm, welcoming space. Here are a few ideas: • Put a welcome banner across the bedroom door • Place a welcome basket containing such items as air mail stationary, an index card with your family names, home address and phone number, snack treats, a fun regional souvenir, and perhaps, a small replica of the student’s national flag. • Encourage your student to display family photos and favorite posters that feel like home. • Make sure you have hangers ready for clothing and ample storage space for other personal items.

5. The Early Days • The early days may be exhilarating and challenging for your student. Be patient as your student adapts to the change in time zone, weather, food, etc. • Language issues, fatigue and shyness are common, even for a normally outgoing teenager. You may need to speak slower until your student grows accustomed to listening and responding in English.

6. The Early Days • Having dinner together regularly, especially at the beginning of their stay will help them to feel comfortable communicating. Many families ban the use of phones at the dinner table too. • This time together allows you to discuss things like schedules, preferences, or family matters your student should know. • We recommend suggesting to your students they limit time spent skyping with family. This tends to slow the settling in process.

7. Household Operations • Be available to help your student settle into your household by giving him/her a complete home tour. Show your student how to operate simple appliances, give instructions for using the telephone, explain proper showering and hygiene procedures, and discuss family housekeeping guidelines. • Ex: If the student is responsible for his or her own laundry, provide explicit instruction on how to sort clothes, dispense detergent, operate machinery and dry various fabrics. Written guidelines posted near the washing machine will help to avoid mistakes and enable your student to navigate independently. • Check in frequently to see how they are adjusting.

8. Foods & Appetite • Your student’s appetite may be curbed until he or she grows accustomed to new food choices. • Though your own children are used to helping themselves, your student may need assistance in selecting and even preparing simple snacks. • Invite your student to accompany you to the grocery store to help select familiar, enjoyable foods. This can be a fun, cultural adventure for a newcomer.

9. Budget & Money Matters • Initiate a discussion regarding your student’s monthly budget and method for receiving funds from home. • Review the value of U.S. currency in comparison to currency from their home country. • Help your student in determining initial school and personal expenses. • Do NOT add your student to your cell phone plan. • Do NOT open a joint bank account with your student.

10. Community Resources • Introducing your student to important places and resources in your community will encourage them to be independent. • Offer help in securing school bus passes, public bus schedules and bicycles with helmets. • Map simple routes to the closest mall, library, drug store and bank/ATM. Unity One, a credit union, is located the same building as SPP. USBank in the skyway is another option for int’l students. • Provide your student with a house key, bike lock and important local phone numbers.

11. Household Chores • Your student expects to be treated as a member of the family, not as a guest. • Early in your student’s stay, you will want to outline household rules, including curfews. • When you assign your student a regular chore, thoroughly explain the process and the timeframe in which you expect this chore to be completed.

12. Remember to spend time just getting to know one another! As you develop a genuine appreciation for one another’s ideas, values and traditions, the bonds of friendship will deepen and a true exchange will unfold.

13. Next Module: Travel Tips & Information • This completes the ‘Welcoming Your Student’ module. • The next module will cover travel tips and information.