Be a Host Family
How are the host families selected? All FLAG host families are personally interviewed and screened by our Field Representatives according to FLAG's preestablished criteria. Of course, we must consider the family's housing conditions and financial ability to host an exchange student. We are not, however, necessarily looking for "wealthy" host families. We are far more concerned with your family's willingness to accept the student into your home as a real family member; your ability to provide him/her with a nurturing and loving family environment. All potential host families are personally visited/interviewed at their homes by a FLAG representative. Host family application and interview forms are also filled out and references are checked as part of the host family recruitment process.
Do we have to have teenagers in the home? No. Families with young children are also welcome. It can be a rewarding experience for small children to have a big brother or sister. It may also be a good opportunity for the host family to become acquainted with the school system at the high school level. As a matter of fact, people from all adult age groups can be successful host parents as long as there is a family unit . We have single parents as well as young or older parents with no kids who were well qualified, and who enjoy wonderful experiences with their students.
Do we have to be rich? Not at all - middle class families are our biggest group. FLAG families represent many socio-economic levels who have the means to expand "one more".
Do the students have to have their own bedroom? The students may share a bedroom with a sibling of the same sex and appropriate age; however, they must have their own bed.
What about the student's personal expenses such as phone calls and medical bills? All students bring their own funds for their personal expenses. Financially speaking, the host families only have to provide the students with room and board. The students are responsible for all of their personal expenses such as long distance calls, clothing, postage, etc. As for medical expenses, all students are fully insured through a specialized health insurance policy.
Do we need to plan special trips/activities for our student? Of course your student would enjoy going on trips with your family and get to know more of the U.S., but you don't have to plan anything special for him/her unless you want to. Your student should be treated just like any other member of your family, and fit into your family's plans and structure; no more no less.
Can we select our own student? Definitely; you will be able to select the student who you feel best matches your family from the applications we have available. Obviously, the earlier you apply to become a host family, the greater a variety you will find as far as age, gender, home countries, personality traits, hobbies, etc
How do we volunteer / apply to become a FLAG host family? Call us
at 1-800-942-3524 ,or e-mail us with any questions that you may have.
Assistance
What if we need help? That's a very good question; we are dealing with human beings in this experience (more importantly, we are dealing with teenagers), and it would be unrealistic for us to promise you that you will never run into snags here or there. We can, however, promise you that we will be right there for you should you need our help; that's what we are here for! That's our personal commitment to you. This is another important reason why FLAG's number of Academic Year/Semester students are strictly controlled: so that we are able to ensure a hands-on approach in supporting students and host families. Your experience will be monitored by FLAG through monthly contacts established by your local coordinator with you and your student. In addition to that, you can call your local field rep or FLAG's toll free number at anytime you feel like you need help.