Becoming a  HOST FAMILY

  • Who is eligible to host
  • What is being a host family about
  • What is required of the host family
  • How do we get matched with a student
  • What kind of support do we as a host family receive
  • How do we apply
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    WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO HOST


    Probably YOU!  There is no specific "type" of host family. Host families come in all sizes, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic levels, and from very diverse locations like small towns, rural farms, big cities.  F.I.T. considers two-parent families, single parent families, retired couples, childless couples and even single adults (under certain circumstances) eligible to host one or more of our students.  You read correctly, or more.  That's because some of our families, especially those without children of their own, may be eligible to host 2 students.  This way the 2 students have each other as company.  The bottom line as far as who is eligible to host is.... anyone willing to open their heart and home is already half way there.

     
     

    WHAT IS HOSTING ABOUT

    In a nutshell, hosting is inviting a foreign teen between the ages of 15 and 18 to become a part of your family for either an academic year or a single semester.  Our student, your new family member IS NOT A GUEST.  They become an intricate part of your family and your day to day lives.  If you have children of your own, your student should be treated just as you treat your own son or daughter. They expect to be given chores such as taking out the garbage, helping to clean up the kitchen after a meal, washing the car, etc.  No different than your own children's chores.  Our students all speak English.  They bring their own speanding money for things like eating out, going to the movies, going bowling, buying clothes, shopping at the mall, etc.  All our students carry full medical insurance.  Lastly, but most importantly, all our students are on program because they want to experience life with an American host family and attend an American high school.  Each student is carefully screened to assure that he or she is prepared to become an exchange student.  Your student will attend your local high school.  Although host families are not paid to host, families may be eligible for a $50.00 per month tax deduction.  Speak with your tax advisor for more information about this, or read what the IRS says about this under "Expenses Paid for Student Living With You" located on page 4..

     
     

    WHAT IS REQUIRED OF A HOST FAMILY

    Host families are required to provide room and board.  That's three meals a day (other than if the student chooses to purchase lunch at school), his or her own bed, and a private place where they can study.  Our students may share a room with a sibling of around the same age and of the same gender.  The single most important requirement of any host family is their willingness to accept their student as a bonifide member of their family, providing him or her with the love and support every child deserves.

     
     

    HOW DO WE GET MATCHED WITH A STUDENT

    Once you and your family decides that hosting is right for you, F.I.T. will first assign you a Local Area Representative who will set up a time that's convenient to both to conduct an informal in-home interview.  This is a very important step because we hold the responsibility of these students and need to see for ourselves where they will reside and with whom.  It is at this interview when your representative will present several students for your family to consider.  When selecting which students to show you from our group of available students, our representative takes into consideration things like your family's hobbies and interests and matches them to our student's hobbies and interests.  Another factor he/she may look at is your family's make-up, ie; no siblings, rural setting, dietary restrictions to see if we have a specific student who will do better than another in your family. As we get new applicants all the time, even if you can't decide on one of the students your representative has shown you, we will gladly review the incoming applicants as we receive them to see which one best matches with your family.  Selecting a student is a collaborative effort between you and your representative.  This proccess is usually a very exciting one because the student agreed upon may very well become a member of your family, not just for the duration of the exchange, but long after he or she returns to their native country!

     
     

    WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DO WE RECEIVE

    We at F.I.T. take great pride in the level of support we provide to you and to the students.  Every host family / student match share a common Local Area Representative (the person who conducted the interview - see the above paragraph).  This person will stay with you and your student throughout the exchange.  Our representatives are well trained and have behind them the support of each member of our staff.  Our senior staff boasts over 20 years in the exchange student industry.  Each match is important to us and careful time and consideration is given to each particpant in these cultural exchanges.  Our family's and our stduent's primary contact will always be their local representatives, but there is always someone at headquarters available should you need or want to speak with someone else!  Our Local Area Representatives are not employees of F.I.T., but rather volunteers who receive a fee to reimburse them for expenses incurred in facilitating the exchange.  To learn more about becoming a volunteer for F.I.T., click on the "Becoming A Volunteer" button at the bottom of this page.

     
     

    HOW DO WE APPLY

    Applying is easy.  Just complete the preliminary application form below and then click the "SEND THIS INFORMATION" button.  If we feel that F.I.T. is right for you, we will get in touch with you and send you our complete application packet.

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    Which best describes your family?

    Are you?MaleFemale
    Age:  Birthdate (mm/dd/yy): 

    What is your full name?: 
    Street Address: 
    City:  State:  Zip Code: 
    Country: 
    Phone # w/Area Code:  Email Address: 

    If married, what is your spouse's name?:  Age:  Birthdate (mm/dd/yy): 

    In the box below, please tell us the names, ages and gender of each of your children (IE; Matthew - 8 years old - Male) using a separate line for each child. Also, please note if any of the children listed here do not live with you:

    In the box below, please tell us a bit about your family lifestyle, ie: Your religious beliefs and how often your family attends religious services, your childrearing beliefs and the method of discipline you use on your own children, languages spoken in the home, Your views on smoking and drinking, etc (all information will be kept confidential):

    Use the box below for any additional comment or questions:

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    By the way, if you have your own Website, what's your URL? 


    Please CLICK ONLY ONE TIME to send your inquiry!

    Please understand that we receive many requests and it may take some time for us to respond to your inquiry. Your request is very important to us and so we will expedite proccessing it. Your patience is greatly appreciated!


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    In your Email, please provide ALL of the following information, otherwise, we will not be able to assist you. Thank you!

    1) What best describes your family; two-parent, single parent, couple without children, single without children, other
    2) Your Name
    3) Your Age
    4) Your Date Of Birth
    5) Whether you are Male or Female
    6) Your Street Address
    7) Your City
    8) Your State AND zip code
    9) Your Country
    10) Your Phone # with Area Code
    11) Your children's name, ages and gender
    12) Your spouse's name, age and birthdate
    13) Tell us your views on; religion, smoking and drinking, discipline and what methods you employ with your own children, etc
    14) Your Email Address

    Click here to Email your inquiry to fitamerica@gmail.com