Host Families Resources
This is an exciting opportunity: hosting a foreign student gives one an opportunity to have a glimpse into a different culture, to exchange information, and to make new friends. Most often, families with children will offer to host a student; however, from my own experience, even if you are a couple without children you'll have a wonderful time!
The guidelines for becoming a host family are mostly common sense - take care of the child as you would your own; include him or her in your daily life activities; create a sense of family; ensure his or her safety. Because of the core volunteer ethos of this program, the host family is expected to provide for meals and for the child's own bedroom (or, if not possible, for a room to be shared with a same gender child).
Some means for communication with the child's family should be encouraged, for example via email or phone calls. EERC may in some cases reimburse families for the child's phone calls, not to exceed $10/week. Upon arrival, children should be told the house rules and reminded as necessary. Children are not allowed to participate in extreme sports, driving, alcohol consumption, smoking or any other situations that put their health or safety at risk. Travel outside Massachusetts is not typically encouraged, but this is decided on a case by case basis. The guest child should not be entrusted with the responsibility of caring for younger children. Although we prefer to keep children with the same host family for the entire period, in cases of emergency, EERC will try to find alternative placements. Hosting a child is considered a volunteer activity. No payment is provided, although a limited tax deduction may be possible per IRS regulations.
About the children:
The children are ages 12-15, English speaking, in excellent academic standing and from economically disadvantaged Romanian families. The program purchases medical insurance for the time they are in the United States. They typically arrive at the end of June few days before their camp starts, and leave 4-5 weeks later depending when their camp program ends. The children are expected to attend the camp program while it is in session, unless there is an illness situations or other valid exception. Each summer there is an EERC Host Family Liaison that is the point person for any issues that arise. The Host Family Liaison may also arrange special group educational activities on some weekends, but normally the host family is expected to incorporate the child into its usual weekend activities. Camp attendance is required by the U.S. Government for the student's visa to remain valid.
How to become a host family:
Each family has to fill out an application. The host family needs at least one reference (community, work or friends). An EERC representative will visit the home and meet with all family members. EERC does its best to match children and host families, but sometimes logistical imperatives (proximity to camp, adults' commuting schedules) take precedence in the matching process.
Altogether this is a wonderful opportunity for both the child and the host family to understand another culture!
Dana Floru, former host
