Host Guide 2009

INFORMATIONAL GUIDE FOR: LANGUAGE STUDIES INTERNATIONAL HOST FAMILIES 2009

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Table of Contents Phone Numbers/ LSI Staff Foreword History of LSI Student Profile Host Family Program Placement of Students Host Family Placement Confirmation Host Family Standards & Procedures A. Cultural Exchange B. Language C. Accommodation D. Neighborhood/Distance E. Student Bedroom F. Cleaning G. Meals H. Arrival I. Keys J. Safety K. Pets L. Telephone M. Laundry N. Vacation O. Liability House Rules Compensation Changes Extension of Student Stay Evaluations Cultural Awareness Helpful Info. for Int’l Students Suggested Bibliography

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3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 10 10 11 11 12-13 13-14 14-15 15 15 15-16 16 16 17 17-18 18-19 19-20 21 21-22 22-23 24-26 27

Important Phone Numbers LSI Office Phone: LSI Office Fax: EMERGENCY ONLY LSI Emergency: Ambulance, Fire, Police: San Diego Fire Department: San Diego Police Department:

(619) 234-2881 (619) 234-2883 (866) 402-6796 911 (619) 533-4300 (619) 531-2000

Customs General Information Public Transportation:

(619) 557-5360 1-800-COMMUTE or www.sdcommute.com

LSI Office Staff Steven Nicholson, Director/Vice President, US Operations Steven is the managing director of LSI San Diego. He oversees all areas of the San Diego school and all US operations for LSI.

Rachel Ishiguro, Director of Studies Rachel is responsible for the teaching staff and administration of the curriculum and academic program.

Nicole Brokaw, Registrar/Student Services Coordinator Nicole is responsible for all student registration and immigration matters. She also handles the activities program.

Suzette La Salle, Accommodation/Student Services Coordinator Suzette is responsible for administering the home stay program and booking hotel accommodations for incoming students, in addition to other duties pertaining to the care and comfort of our students.

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AN INFORMATIONAL GUIDE FOR LANGUAGE STUDIES INTERNATIONAL HOSTS This informational guide has been written to promote the best possible relationship between LSI, its students and its hosts. It explains the practical aspects of hosting a foreign student in your home as well as the agreement you will enter into with LSI. As a host to an international student, you form an integral part of the Language Studies International program. In our effort to provide the highest quality English language and cultural immersion experience to international students, we see a successful host family program as a crucial element in forming this experience. The happiness and well-being of a student is directly affected by his/her stay in your home. Students choose family accommodations for the benefit of home comforts, a more personal atmosphere, an opportunity to practice speaking English outside of the structured classroom environment, and, generally, to learn more about our way of life in the United States. LSI takes special care in selecting hosts who display the characteristics of warmth, generosity, and openmindedness, all of which will make a foreign student feel welcome in their home. We expect that you will treat students as extended members of your family, making every effort to ensure that the students are both comfortable in your home and included in family life on a regular basis. Following is a brief description of Language Studies International and its host family program, as well as points of policy and other information which you will find helpful in becoming a successful part of our program.

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Language Studies International was founded in 1965 by the current owner, David Immanuel, and has since grown from one small language school in London to nineteen year-around language schools. All LSI schools teach the language spoken in the country where the school is located. LSI currently has four centers in the U.S. with the administrative headquarters located in San Diego and branch schools in Berkeley, Boston, and New York, which were established in 1989, 1979, 1992 and 2000 respectively. These schools offer a full program that includes an intensive English as a Foreign Language course, accommodation in a host family, residential hotel, or college dormitory, and an organized social activities program. LSI strives to provide excellent courses and instruction with a high standard of quality and service that is sensitive to the needs of students from various cultures. LSI offers a wide variety of short and long-term intensive language training programs suited to students from varying backgrounds and interests. The Standard 20 and Intensive 30 courses are group classes in which students can learn English through the communicative method. These courses, offered in six different levels from beginner through advanced, are geared toward the individual wishing to enhance his/her communication skills for purposes such as travel, social interaction, professional and personal development, and the pursuit of higher education. The Intensive 30 course includes additional electives in the afternoon, allowing students to choose among a variety of subjects including TOEFL preparation and Modular Business. LSI also offers twelve-week test preparation courses three times a year for the Cambridge First Certificate Exams and twice a year for the Cambridge Advanced Certificate Exams. For students who would like to improve their English for professional needs or other specific purposes all four centers offer a Plus course, combining the Standard 20 or Intensive 30 program in the morning with either one or two private lessons in the afternoon. In addition, LSI Boston and LSI Berkeley offer the Mini-Group course which offers 40 lessons per week to professionals wishing to focus exclusively on English for business purposes. All four LSI centers provide private or specialized instruction of twenty to sixty lessons per week, tailored to meet the needs of individual students.

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STUDENT PROFILE Language Studies International students come from all walks of life. Many are recent high school graduates wishing to perfect their English before continuing in their studies. Some of our students are already working and find that they need a better command of English for their particular field of employment. Still others are sent by their companies or are here on a study vacation. From students to business professionals to retired persons, our students range in age from sixteen to seventy-nine, with the average student age being from mid to late twenties. It is very important to remember that no two students are alike. Although the majority of our students are quite mature and very independent, some may be traveling to a foreign country for the first time in their lives and may, therefore, require a little extra care and attention. Whatever the case may be, it is important to remain aware and respectful of your students’ different cultural backgrounds. The most successful hosts in our program invariably take a reasonable, easy-going approach to the many and varied circumstances they encounter.

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PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS Students book courses at LSI through our schools abroad, through "school/travel" agencies, or through direct contact with us. Registration forms are generally received by fax or by email. Once received, we do our best to place students in homestays no later than two weeks before their arrival date. Once you have agreed to be an LSI host and our Student Services Coordinator has visited your home, your name will be placed on our bookings list. Since our business is seasonal with a large summer enrollment, we may not always have a student to place in your home during the winter. With this in mind, we will do our best to place students in your home; however, we cannot guarantee that you will not have some period of vacancy. While Language Studies International does not enter into a formal signed contract with hosts, we do expect that the agreedupon space will be available for use throughout the year, unless special arrangements are made. Once you have accepted a student placement, we will send you a confirmation form (see example below) and a welcome letter to pass on to the student. The confirmation form will include the student's name, age, country of origin, and meal plan, as well as the dates for which you will receive reimbursement. Please be aware that once you have agreed to a placement, we immediately fax a confirmation including your name and address, as well as a host family description, to the student. Students are often anxious about staying with a host family, and it can be very upsetting to change from one family to another before the students even arrive in the United States! If for any reason you become unable to accept this placement, we ask that you call the school immediately. Because it is very difficult to find a replacement family at any time, we can only accept cancellations in the event of an emergency. Placing students is the job of the Student Services Coordinator, Suzette La Salle. On the next page is an example of our host family placement confirmation which you will receive once a student is placed with you. As you will see, it has all of the pertinent information regarding the student(s) placed with you.

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John and Jane Doe 1234 Dream Blvd San Diego, CA 92101

21 May 2009 Dear John and Jane, This will confirm that the following homestay student has been placed with you: Name: Mr. Steven STUDENT Age: 20 Country: Sweden Personal Details: Accommodation Arrival Date Departure Date Homestay-Single, Half-Board 9/5/2009 9/12/2009 Arrival Information Arrival Date Flight Number/Time No Airport Transfer Required 9/5/2009 Details to follow. We have confirmed this arrangement with you with the understanding that you will not be away for any period of time during the student’s stay. If, for any reason, you find you are unable to accept, please contact our office without delay as both the student and the overseas agent must be informed of any changes. Please sign this form and return the BOTTOM PORTION to us upon the student’s arrival. Keep the top portion for your records. Please note: If a student leaves before the above departure date, you will be paid only for the time that the student actually stays in your home. Should the student wish to stay in your home longer, please notify the LSI office immediately so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Also, please pass the following pages on to your student as they contain directions on how to get to the school on their first day. Should you or your student need further information on this, you may consult the official Online Transit Information System at www.sdcommute.com or call 1-800-COMMUTE. Best Regards,

Suzette La Salle Student Services Coordinator

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HOMESTAY CLAIM FORM John and Jane Doe FOR: Mr. Steven Student Accommodation Arrival Date Departure Date ISY Homestay-Single, Half-Board 9/5/2009 9/12/2009 COURSE STARTS: 9/7/2009 This claim is for the period specified above. Please sign this form and return it to us upon the student’s arrival. Note also, that you will be paid only for the time that the student actually stays in your home. Please, notify the LSI office immediately if any changes occur. Signature___________________________________ Date_______________________________

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HOST FAMILY STANDARDS & PROCEDURES From single persons to married couples, large families to retired persons, LSI hosts represent a vast array of backgrounds and lifestyles. Despite these differences, we expect that all of our hosts will share the common bond of an interest in international exchange. In addition, there are certain standards that must be met and procedures which must be agreed upon in each homestay for the host to become a member of the LSI program.

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Cultural Exchange:

We cannot stress enough that the purpose of our homestay program is, first and foremost, to provide an opportunity for cultural exchange. Hosts welcoming international students into their home should not view the program as a simple means of renting a spare room or as a business venture. While LSI does provide reimbursement to you as hosts, this is a gesture necessary in order to thank you for extending yourselves and to lessen the additional costs incurred as a result of having an extra member in your home. All members of the host family should be motivated to treat students in a way that will make their stay in this country a happy experience. Hosts should be concerned about the impression that the United States and its people make on students during their stay here. We expect that you will be both willing and available to help students with any problems or questions that may arise, especially those regarding the student's adjustment to this country and its customs. Always try to put yourself in the same position as the students, and imagine what you would expect and how you would wish to be treated.

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II.

Language:

It is strictly against LSI policy to place two students of the same native language in the same host family. Our students are here to speak English, not their native language! We make a promise to all of our students that they will not be placed in a home with someone else from the same country, so we ask that you please respect this rule. Also, please do not use students to practice your foreign language skills. That is not the purpose of the students’ visit. Hosts should encourage students to speak English as much as possible. When talking to a student, the main thing to remember is to speak slowly and clearly - there is no need to speak loudly! Engage in conversation at meal times, and encourage reading the newspaper for discussion. Also, don't be shy about correcting the students’ English. If executed in a friendly way, you will be doing them a favor that will be appreciated.

III. Accommodation:

Families hosting an international student should have adequate housing so that other family members are not inconvenienced. It is extremely important that all members of the household be willing to participate in the program. A sensitive student will know whether he/she is making the family uncomfortable. Also, families should allow students access to common areas of the house, just as all other members of the family have access.

IV. Neighborhood/ Distance:

All homestays must be accessible to public transportation and must be within reasonable commuting distance to Downtown. Out of consideration for our students, LSI requires that the commute from the homestay to the school be no more than 30 minutes. In addition, all homestays should be located in a safe, secure neighborhood. No student should feel uncomfortable or frightened during his/her stay in San Diego.

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V.

Student Bedroom:

Each student should have a comfortable, private room where he/she can study, read, and find privacy when he/she wishes. No student should ever be asked to share a room, unless it is a special circumstance and is arranged by the school. The student should have a comfortable, normal-sized bed or futon with clean linens provided weekly. A mattress and box springs on the floor or on blocks is not acceptable! It is the host's responsibility to wash students’ sheets and towels once a week and to provide clean linens more frequently, if requested. In addition, the student’s room should have a desk or writing table, as well as ample drawer and closet space for personal belongings. Please be sure that there is adequate lighting over the desk or table for study purposes. An alarm clock, a mirror, and a wastebasket (preferably fireproof) will all be welcome additions. You may want to protect the bedroom walls by hanging a bulletin board for the display of posters, maps, etc. Most importantly, be creative! Students will appreciate your decorating efforts.

VI. Cleaning:

Students are responsible for tidying their personal belongings and making the bed. However, some students may not be accustomed to picking up after themselves, and you may have to remind them that they must now perform such duties on their own. It is the responsibility of the hosts, however, to provide weekly cleaning of the students’ room. This includes vacuuming, dusting, and changing the linens. Hosts should also make sure that the bathroom is kept clean daily. Please remember that it is your obligation to perform these housekeeping tasks; do not request that the student do so. **Keep in mind that a clean home is essential to providing a pleasant environment for your student. For many students, this is just as important as staying with a warm, welcoming family. Regardless of how tidy your student may or may not be, one of the most common complaints and reasons for moving students is that the "house is dirty."

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VI. Meals:

LSI offers two meal plans with the host families: Bed & Breakfast, which includes breakfast only, and Half Board, which includes breakfast and dinner. It is important to keep in mind that the majority of students request the Half Board meal plan. B&B preferences by the family will be met as student requests call for. It is not necessary to provide Half Board all year long; in fact, you may request to provide both meal plans at differing times throughout the year. In our busy months of July and August it is necessary to offer both meal plans, depending on student requirements. Please advise the Student Services Coordinator of any preferences you have regarding the meal plan, and we will do our best to place students according to these preferences. Whatever plan you choose, please remember that you are responsible for providing the meals seven days a week. LSI understands that it is highly uncommon for most families to sit down together for breakfast each morning. While it is perfectly acceptable to offer a self-serve style of breakfast, please be sure to show students where you will leave the breakfast food (i.e. milk and juice are in the fridge, cereal and bagels are in the pantry, coffee and tea are on the stove, etc.), and emphasize that they are to help themselves. You should ask students what they like to eat and ensure that you are leaving a sufficient amount of food. Also, please keep in mind that the Bed & Breakfast meal plan does not exempt you from spending time with students. Students who have requested the Half Board meal plan will expect to sit down to the same meal as their hosts. The only exception to this may be when the student has dietary restrictions. Students eating dinner with the family may also expect to be served "real food" each evening-- fast food and microwave dinners are not acceptable. If you are concerned about preparing foods your student will enjoy, you may wish to bring the student along when you go to the grocery store. Otherwise, you could invite your student to add any items he/she especially likes to the shopping list. Hosts 12

should ask students to inform them in the event that they will not be home to eat dinner with the family. Unless students tell you otherwise, you are still responsible for providing dinner for them. In this case, the host should leave a plate for the student to reheat once he/she gets home. If you are providing only breakfast, reserve space in the refrigerator for the student to keep sandwiches and other small snack items, and show the student where this space is. Some students are good cooks and enjoy cooking. If you wish to extend kitchen privileges to students regularly or occasionally, as many hosts do, you should work this out on an individual basis. Be flexible! The student you had last month who cooked and made a terrible mess may be replaced by a student who is a gourmet chef! If you find that you have a student who enjoys cooking, you may suggest that he/she prepare a meal from his/her country for which you could purchase the necessary ingredients.

VIII. Arrival:

If your student has requested an airport transfer, the Student Services Coordinator will forward the arrival details of the student to you the week prior to the student’s course start date. Students who have not requested a transfer are asked to contact you directly to inform you of his/her arrival details. If you have not received the information one week prior to the student’s arrival, please contact the Student Services Coordinator, and he/she will attempt to acquire the information through the agent. Normally, students are expected to arrive at their homestay on the Sunday before classes begin and to leave no later than the Sunday after classes end. This is the period of time which you will be paid for unless otherwise indicated on your accommodation notification. Arrivals before Sunday and departures after Sunday will be compensated at the extra night rate. If your student contacts you directly to inform you that he/she will be arriving earlier than planned, please notify the school so that we can invoice the student directly for this amount. The same procedure should be followed if your

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student indicates that he/she will be staying later than his/her original departure date. LSI will then reimburse the host family accordingly for these extra nights. LSI requires that a member of the host family be at home to welcome the student upon arrival. Since we are unable to predict flight delays or last minute changes, we ask that you try to be as flexible as possible and remember that a student's initial arrival can be quite stressful. After a long and tiring journey, a warm welcome from the host family is very reassuring and leaves the students with a positive first impression of the overall program at LSI. If for any reason you are unable to be at home for the student's arrival, please notify the school immediately. While we will do our best to assist you in making alternative arrangements in an emergency, it is ultimately your responsibility as the host family to welcome the student once you have accepted their placement. To prevent such problems please be advised that we have implemented a waiting fee in the event that the host family fails to be at home when a student arrives. Many students book an airport transfer service, which provides transportation from the airport to the students’ homestays. Because the transportation company will charge LSI an additional hourly rate for any time that they are forced to wait for the host family to arrive home, we must insist that the host family reimburse this amount to LSI. For your reference, this waiting fee will be charged at the rate of $37.50 per hour.

IX. Keys:

Students should be given a front door key and the freedom to come and go as they please. If your home has a security alarm system, please make certain students are instructed in its operation. Please make sure to exercise patience when explaining these details. You may want to include these instructions in a written list of house rules to ensure that students understand.

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X. Safety:

Be sure to explain any special safety rules to students, especially if you have small children. It is automatic for a parent to keep pills, cleaning fluids, and breakables out of the reach of small children and to keep upstairs windows closed. However, students who are not parents or are not used to being around small children may need a reminder. A bolt, a lock, or a hookand-eye catch high on the door of the bedroom used for students will alleviate worry over young explorers. Please also give a detailed explanation of the use of any electrical equipment, room heaters, water heaters, etc. Fire precautions and action to take in the event of a fire should also be discussed.

XI. Pets:

If you have pets, please be aware that many people are allergic to some animals, and others simply do not like or are afraid of certain animals. Unless a student permits it, please do not allow pets in his/her room.

XII. Telephone:

All students should have access to a telephone. It is the responsibility of each host family to establish a policy regarding the use of their telephone for long distance calls. Although some families allow students to reimburse them for long distance calls, LSI strongly recommends that you advise students to purchase a phone card for making such calls. Phone cards can be purchased at many convenience stores in and around San Diego. The use of a phone card is so convenient, because it quickly eliminates any problems or confusion regarding the phone bill, and it incurs no cost to the telephone account being used. Although it is quite infrequent, there have been instances in the past when students have left their homestay neglecting to provide sufficient reimbursement for their telephone bill. While we will do our best to help you contact a student in his/her home country, please be advised that LSI is not liable for any loss or damage incurred as a result of a student’s stay in your home and is therefore not responsible for these costs. 15

XIII. Laundry:

It is the responsibility of the hosts to provide and regularly launder students’ towels and sheets. Clean linens should be provided on a weekly basis or more frequently, if requested. Students are responsible for any personal items of clothing. If you have a washer and dryer, you may find it convenient to offer to wash students’ clothing with your own. If you would rather have students operate your laundry facilities on their own, please make sure to give them careful instructions beforehand. If you do not have access to a washer and dryer, please advise students who stay with you where to find the nearest laundromat. It would also be very helpful to accompany students, at least for the first load of laundry. Students will appreciate the use of an iron and ironing board at convenient times as well.

XIV. Vacations:

If you plan to leave on vacation, please notify LSI so that we will not place a student in your home during your absence. Our students arrive expecting a "host" so you must be in the home. Trips of a few days duration are often acceptable when you are hosting a long-term student, so long as this is agreeable with both LSI and the student. In this case, it is your responsibility to arrange for someone to fulfill your board obligations (i.e., breakfast or half board). Please discuss such plans with the school administration as far in advance as possible. However, you should never plan a trip for the first week of a student’s stay and should always consult the school before planning a trip during a student’s stay. Also, you should advise the school immediately if you must leave because of an emergency.

XV. Liability: Please note that LSI is not liable for any loss or damage as a result of the student’s stay in your home.

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HOUSE RULES, ETC. It is advisable to sit down with students within the first few days of arrival to discuss any important household rules. At this time, be sure to give a clear explanation of any safety rules, and explain how the family prefers to handle the use of the telephone and laundry facilities. Many hosts find it helpful to write a welcome letter in order to ensure that the students understand such important rules. Other issues to be considered and discussed with students include entertaining guests, use of the television, and smoking.

I.

Guests:

One aim of the program at LSI is for students to meet and communicate with as many people as possible. Therefore, students will most likely want to bring occasional guests home. It is certainly reasonable to allow students to entertain friends at suitable hours. Please let students who stay with you know if you would like to be asked each time; some hosts do not expect to be consulted after the first occasion. The question of whether or not a student should entertain members of the opposite sex in his/her room is up to the individual host family, but you may find that you can reach a good compromise by allowing some privacy in a sitting room when possible. Make it clear that you expect quiet after 11:00 pm (or after the family has gone to bed). It may be wise to specify that no overnight guests will be allowed except by special arrangement through the school, in which case an additional fee will be involved. You may find it easier to tell students that they must check with the school before making any change in arrangements. II.

Television:

Most students will enjoy watching television--it provides entertainment and helps improve English painlessly. If you have only one student, you may choose to let the student watch as he/she wishes. However, with more than one student it may be better to make a specific arrangement for viewing times. While some hosts provide television sets in the students’ room, you may find that there is more opportunity for social interaction when the TV is in a common area. 17

III.

Smoking:

Although it is not so common in the United States, smoking is still quite popular among the majority of students visiting from abroad. Please make it clear to students whether smoking will be permitted inside the house. While some hosts designate a certain area of the house or ask students to smoke by an open window, others simply ask students to smoke outside. If you prefer not to host students who smoke, please inform the school. Although we do not always receive this information in advance, we will do our best to accommodate you.

COMPENSATION LSI compensates hosts at a weekly rate with payments processed on the Tuesday of the second week of a student’s stay. Payments are made for a period of two weeks (or less) and cover one week that has passed and one week in advance. The weekly rate covers the period from the Sunday of arrival to the Sunday of departure (or the Saturday of arrival to the Saturday of departure); early arrivals and late departures are compensated at the extra night rate. If a student moves for any reason during the normal Sunday to Sunday (or Saturday to Saturday) period, payments will be prorated for the actual number of nights that the student stayed in the home. Checks will be mailed from San Diego and will normally arrive by the second Saturday of a student’s stay. If for any reason you do not receive your check by the third Monday of a student’s stay, please contact the school immediately. Any and all payments should be handled through the school. Under no circumstances whatsoever should the family make private financial arrangements with a student. This is strictly against LSI policy for a number of reasons. First of all, many students book courses through agents with whom we have commission arrangements and contract relationships; we must uphold these contracts. More importantly, LSI feels very strongly that money should be kept out of the host family and student 18

relationship. This relationship should be one of cultural exchange. When a host family begins making financial arrangements with students, the nature of the relationship automatically changes to one of business. Forming such an accord with students is completely against the mission of LSI’s homestay program and is not acceptable under any circumstances. In the event that a student arrives early, changes his/her meal plan, or decides to extend his/her stay, please notify the school immediately. LSI will invoice the student directly for this amount and reimburse the host accordingly. ***Money received for host accommodation is considered taxable income. All host families must fill out a W-9 form in order to receive payment. In January you will receive a 1099 form from our Accounting Department to file with your tax returns.

CHANGES LSI views the host family program, first and foremost, as an opportunity for cultural exchange. It would be contrary to the mission of our homestay program to force the relationship between student and host family. We try to maintain an open and fair policy in the event that a student or a host family is unhappy. The Student Services Coordinator is here to offer guidance and assistance, as well as to help solve problems and answer any questions that may arise. However, there may inevitably be occasions in which the best solution may be for the student to relocate to a new host family. Although this is a rare occurrence, we ask that host families to try to remain as understanding as possible and, more importantly, not to take such changes personally. A student may request to change his/her host family for any number of reasons. Very often these reasons are quite clear and easily explained, such as allergies to house pets, an untidy home, or distance between the host family and the school. Other times, however, a student may have difficulty expressing in words his/her reasons for wanting to change to a new host 19

family. Keep in mind that it is highly unlikely that every student placement will be a perfect match. Whatever the case, LSI holds very strongly to the belief that it is simply not right for a student to stay in a home where he/she is uncomfortable for any reason. We expect that our hosts will share this philosophy. A caring and understanding host family will not want an unhappy guest to stay in their home. Also, please remember that we view the hosting experience as an exchange program for both the student and the family, and we, therefore, extend this same right to our host families. In the event that a student is moved from your home, we will do our best to find another student to fill that place as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee an immediate replacement. Should there be any serious concerns raised by a student, the Student Services Coordinator will consult with the student’s host family and, if necessary, schedule an appointment to meet with the family before placing another student in the home. LSI reserves the right to terminate the relationship with a host family at any time.

RECUPERATION OF OVERPAYMENT TO HOST FAMILIES In order to avoid any problems with overpayment to the host families, LSI does not issue reimbursement until the second week of a student's stay in your home. Normally, if a student is not satisfied with his/her accommodation, he/she will request a change during the first week of stay. This system usually allows LSI to make the necessary adjustments before payment is issued to the host family. If a student moves after payment has been made to the family, and the family receives another student within 45 days, the amount overpaid will simply be deducted from the family’s next check. On the other hand, if the family does not receive another student placement within 45 days or if the Student Services Coordinator indicates that the family will no longer be working with LSI, the Accounting Department will send a notice requesting repayment of this extra money. Please be advised that repayment will be due within ten days of receipt of this notice.

EXTENSION OF STUDENT'S STAY Please keep in mind that the English program at LSI functions on a year round basis, and, therefore, we are constantly in need of host families for our students. We reserve our host families solely for students who are actively studying in our program. A student may extend his/her stay in a 20

host family placement only when he/she is also extending in the scholastic program at LSI. While we are thrilled when host families develop a special relationship with a particular student, we ask that hosts be as understanding as possible in regard to this policy. Should a student mention staying in your home past the originally scheduled dates, please advise him/her to consult with the Student Services Coordinator before making any plans.

EVALUATIONS For your information, all students are asked to complete a monthly evaluation on his/her overall program at LSI San Diego, including a detailed evaluative section on LSI's accommodation program. We will keep a copy of each student's comments in his/her respective host’s file. In order to provide feedback to our hosts, the Student Services Coordinator will periodically mail copies of the students' evaluations to all active host families. This will keep our hosts advised on how students are adjusting to life in their home and, of course, make our hosts aware of any problems students are experiencing in the homestay. *Out of respect for our students’ best interests, we will not mail these evaluations until the students have left the homestay. Please remember that you should not take any constructive criticism too personally. Given the greatly varied backgrounds of our students, different students will have different expectations of their stay with an American family. The evaluation also helps hosts make any necessary adjustments in the event that a particular grievance appears regularly on their evaluations. The purpose of mailing evaluations is to help our hosts grow as a host family and to ensure that LSI has the highest quality program possible, not to hurt your feelings. Should there be any serious concerns raised by a student, the Student Services Coordinator will consult the host family. If necessary, the Student Services Coordinator will make another visit to the hosts before placing any subsequent students in the home.

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In addition, the Student Services Coordinator will conduct an annual visit to all host families to discuss student evaluations, to answer any questions the family may have, and generally, to ensure that the conditions in the home still meet the standards required by LSI.

CULTURAL AWARENESS Among the many reasons students choose to stay with a host family, the opportunity to experience American culture first-hand is undoubtedly the most compelling. While students are eager to have an additional opportunity to practice English and to live in a safe, secure environment while overseas, the host family accommodation is also a “cultural classroom” for the international student. In addition to heightening the cultural awareness of the international student, the host family program at LSI also serves as a learning experience for the American families that make up our program. Hosting an international student can be an eye-opening experience, providing exposure to people and places many of our hosts may never have the opportunity to visit first-hand. The following quotes were taken from the “Host Family Survival Kit” and demonstrate how both the host family and the international student can learn equally from the homestay experience: "Whenever you work together to reach a new understanding about some cultural difference, a mispronounced word, some confusing behavior or a shocking new experience, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. This is not accomplishment for having solved a particular problem, but an accomplishment in terms of helping the relationship go one step deeper." p. 19 "They had become more attuned to world issues, more mindful of their own enculturation, more cognizant of how people tend to "see" events from their own cultural perspective and more sensitive to the idea that each culture's way of life is equally valid." p. 36

Ideally, we hope that hosts who join our program will benefit and grow from this experience, just as the students who stay in their home will. 22

HEALTH/ WELL BEING If a student needs a dentist or a doctor, you may wish to refer them to your family doctor. Otherwise, LSI recommends the following walk-in clinic for international students: Sharpe Rees-Stealy Medical Group 2001 Fourth Avenue San Diego CA 92101

Marcos Ortega, D.D.S. 306 Walnut Ave. #25 San Diego CA 92103

Phone: (619) 234-6261

Phone: (619) 295-4545

Please remind the student that he/she will have to pay for this treatment. Occasionally, you may have to suggest a visit to the doctor; a student may be holding back out of shyness. In this case, it would be very helpful to accompany the student. If medicine is prescribed, make sure the dosage instructions are understood. Also, indicate the location of first aid supplies in your home for any minor problems. *A conscientious host will try to ensure that a student’s health and studies are not suffering because of too many late nights. Students should always inform their host family if they are going away overnight or for the weekend. If you are worried or have questions about a student, do not hesitate to contact the school. 23

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION LSI requires that all families be within 30 minutes commuting distance of Downtown by public transportation. Hosts should help students find the quickest and easiest route to school and town. This is also helpful to the host family in terms of consistent student placements, since a student might otherwise request accommodation closer to the school. If bus and/or trolley transportation to your house is infrequent at night, try to make arrangements to assist students in getting home. If your student will be in San Diego for at least one month, you should advise them to purchase a monthly transit pass. This can be purchased at The Transit Store, located at the corner of Broadway and First Avenue downtown. For additional information on public transportation in San Diego , you may call the following number: MTS Information (619) 233-3004 or 1-800-COMMUTE

TAXI/ SHUTTLE SERVICE If your student has not arranged for transfer service through the school, he/she may need some assistance finding transportation to Lindbergh Field on his/her departure. For shuttle service from your home to the airport, you can refer students to the following shuttle and/or taxi service: Cloud 9 Shuttle (619) 278-8877 Bus/Train Service (800) 974-8885 24

Yellow Cab Company (619) 234-6161 Coronado Livery (619) 435-6310

In addition to visiting the sights in San Diego, many students will plan weekend excursions to Los Angeles and other areas of interest during their time in the States. For travel by bus and train from San Diego, you can refer students to the following companies: Greyhound Bus 120 West Broadway San Diego CA 92101 1-800-231-2222 AMTRAK 1-800-368-8725

VISITOR INFORMATION For helpful visitor information to pass on to students regarding San Diego and the surrounding area, you may refer to the following agencies: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau 401 B Street (619) 232-3101 Travelers Aid Society 1765 Fourth Avenue, Suite 100 (619) 232-7991 25

SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Eddy, Robert. Reflections on Multiculturalism. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1996. 2. Furnham, Adrian, and Stephen Bochner. Culture Shock. New York, NY: Routledge, Chapman and Hall, 1986. 3. Hansel, Bettina. The Exchange Student Survival Kit. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1993. 4. Hess, J. Daniel. The Whole World Guide to Culture Learning. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1994. 5. Huff, Ken and King, Nancy. Host Family Survival Kit. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1985. 6. Hull, W. Frank III. Foreign Students in the United States of America. New York, NY: Praeger, 1978. 7. Stewart, Edward C. and Milton J. Bennett. American Cultural Patterns. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1991. 8. Storti, Craig. Figuring Foreigners Out. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1999. 9. Storti, Craig. The Art of Crossing Cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1990.

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