Make A
Difference….Share your home with a Foreign Exchange Student
My name is Amy Larison. I am a local
coordinator with ETC in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
I am reaching out to you to see if
you would be interested in hosting a foreign exchange student or know someone
who would be interested. Economically speaking, times are tough and finding
families has been difficult this year. I am hoping you may be interested or
know of a nice family who would make a great host. We accept all kinds of
families; kids, no kids, empty nesters, single parents, and so on. The main
requirement is kindness and willingness to learn about a foreign culture.
ETC,
Education, Travel and Culture, International
High School students stay with their host families while attending the local
high school. The students speak English and come with medical insurance and
spending money. The cultural exchange between your family and the student will
help you both to gain a deeper understanding of human values that unite all
nations across the world. By having these students live with American
families, we break down the barriers that divide people, not only across
international borders, but also within our own community. We are seeking homes
for these students coming to your neighborhood in August.
There are two types of
volunteer host families:
Welcome family- This starts just before school year and can last about 6-8 weeks. This allows student to enroll in school and become involved in the community where the student and the local coordinator work to find a permanent family. Welcome families CAN become permanent host families.
Permanent Host Family- This starts just before the school year and will be the duration of the school year.
What we require
of a host family is:
Provide a bed (can
share room with a host sibling if same gender and within 4 years of age apart.)
3 meals a day (if
student buys lunch at school it is their financial responsibility)
Transportation to/from
school activities (school bus, walking, rides with neighbors/friends ok with
your permission)
Place to study (such as
a desk or table)
**All host families
will receive a deductible tax credit of $50 a month for each month hosting
since they are a volunteer.**
All students come with
own spending money (all things out of pocket are responsibility of
student, such as meals out, entertainment, clothes, etc even with the host
family)
All students have own
medical insurance ( they pay own bills, copays, prescriptions and anything not
covered by insurance such as school physicals and immunizations.)
All students
are required to provide their grades to me each month. (I will
be speaking to host family and student each month to ensure all is going
well. As well as I am required to see students and host families
regularly.)
The student would be
enrolled at your local high school and will attend for the duration of the
year.
ETC Local Coordinators across
the United States believe that international exchange is a life changing
experience for young people and their community, and a wonderful way to bring
people from different countries together.
ETC Local Coordinators work
with four diverse communities-host families, exchange students, their local
community, and host schools. For ETC, Local Coordinators are one of our most
important tools, as they are at the center of the exchange process-giving the
experience personal and local support that is invaluable for all parties
involved.
ETC is a non-profit,
non-governmental organization dedicated to quality exchange and global learning
opportunities. ETC is designated by the U.S. Department of State to
sponsor our students on a J-1 visa to attend high school in America. We are also
approved by the Council on Standards for International Education Travel
(CSIET).
We have a great group of kids
assigned to Texas for the upcoming school year. Many of these kids are
talented and would love to join clubs in their American High School. These kids
are excited about the opportunity to live in our great state! They ask some
cute questions: "Are there horses in Texas?" "Do you have a nice
family for me?" "Are schools like in the movies?” “Does everyone wear
boots and a cowboy hat?” The kids are nervous but excited at the same
time. ETC is trying to best accommodate these students, so perhaps you can
help us. Hosting an exchange student proves to be a great promoter of diversity
and diplomacy for the local communities, which is one of our first and foremost
goals.
We still have students hoping to
come to Texas who do not have a host family lined up for them as of yet. Profiles
can be sent upon request.
Would you be willing to pay this forward? For every email address and Facebook or other social post, you make to forward this, you will be entered into a monthly Drawing of Appreciation. This drawing may include a gift certificate or other item given to those who have made efforts on behalf of ETC here in the DFW and surrounding areas to further or word at the need to find quality host families. The drawing will go until August 1, 2014 at midnight CST. To qualify, you must tag me, cc me or send me a link to your post. IF your posting results in an approved host family, you will receive a Thank you gift from me directly. Now is the time! WE are in a time crunch for approvals, every little bit helps!
**Contact me if you would like to be part of the monthly
newsletter for ETC .**
Amy Larison
Local Coordinator
Dallas/ Fort Worth Area
214.458.1928 cell
214.458.1928 cell
Education, Travel And Culture-ETC is a non-profit company.
Consider hosting an exchange student! Our alumni change the world!
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