FAQ - Host Families

Below are questions asked me by potential host families over and over again.  I figured I would have them all in one place as a reference.  So here they are!



Where can I get more information about your organization? You can find all the information you need on our website you can also find us on Facebook. There you will be able to see comments from students, host families, coordinators and updates from the organization.

What is a coordinator? A coordinator is an employee of CETUSA who oversees the placement and stay of the student(s). Coordinators with CETUSA are certified by the State Department of Regulations. 

How many students come to the USA and where do they come from? We place over 1000 students every year from over 30 countries.

How old are the students that come in your program?  15-18 yrs old. Sophomore - Senior in high school.

How long are the students here? The student stays for a 10 month period/school year (mid Aug - mid June) or some districts will allow 5 month/semester (mid Aug - mid Jan  or  mid Jan - mid June)

How are the students chosen to come? Students submit an application and are screened before entering the program.

What are the benefits to becoming  a host family? You have an unique opportunity to bring another culture into your home. It helps teach global awareness and cultural diversity tolerance to the student and your children. You'll get to try new foods, new traditions and learn a little of a new language. But the best part is you have a new friend/family member for life. When they return home your family will now extend across the globe. Plus you will have a free place to stay in what ever country they came from!
 
Are you sure MY family can host? Any family regardless of age or size can host as long as all members over the age of 18 clear a background check and no other members of the family living in the home have been charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation. Single parents w/o children are required to fill out additional paperwork proving they have a good support system.

What are the application requirements to host? Host families are required to submit to a back ground check for anyone over the age of 18 living in the home, a home inspection and a family interview before placement. Another inspection will be done after the student arrives.

How do we know what student we will get? You as a family get to choose your student by gender, age, country, interests, kind of family they come from, other languages spoken or religion ect...

What are the host families financial obligations? Host family is asked to provide 3 meals a day and a bed. (student can opt to pay for school lunch with their own money) 

Does the host family need to travel with the student? Absolutely not. You can choose to but it is in no way required.  Our students come here to go to school so they can get into better Universities and eventually get better jobs. I tell my students upfront that their host family is NOT a travel agency.

Does the student need their own room? No. It is nice but not needed. Students may share a room with a host sibling of the same gender with in 3 years of their ages.

How will the family function with a new person? A host family is asked to treat the student as a member of the family and not a guest. This means family responsibilities given to the student, love and support for them in school and extra curricular activities as time allows.

What about entertainment and shopping ect.? Student will receive a min of $250 every month for personal spending from natural parents

What are the students responsibilities? Student will attend high school and will be required to maintain adequate attendance and a C grade average. They sign a contract of behavior when entering the program. Host family will receive a copy of that contract.

What are the coordinators responsibilities? Coordinators(me) find good, loving families(you) to host. I will be there to help the host family, student and school at all times.  I meet with the host family and student in person every month and any other time I am needed. I meet with the school in person before the student arrives, after the student has enrolled in school, at the semester and when school is almost done. All other months I will call and check the website to see grades and attendance.

I am a very involved coordinator. I love my job and I love the kids that come to our program.

If you have additional questons that are not listed above please post them to the comments below. I will add them and the answer to the page.