What is the Host Family Program?
The Host Family Program matches Fitchburg State College faculty, staff, and administrators and their families with our international students from around the globe.
Both the host family and the student enjoy the opportunity
to learn more about another culture, share stories, foster deeper understanding of the world, and create lasting friendships.
Host families may range from single individuals to families with children. Host families are active members of the community and have a desire to learn more about another culture.
We ask that host families and host students keep in contact with each other for the duration of the semester. Ideally, families and students should meet at least once a month, while keeping in contact with one another on a more regular basis.
What are my responsibilities as a host family?
- Communicate with your student on a regular basis
- Plan an activity with your student at least once a month
- Invite the student into your home
- Learn about the student's culture and country
- Be a friend to your host student
- Provide your student with transportation to/from activities if necessary.
- Notify the Office of International Education if you are unable to continue in the Host Family Program.
*You are not responsible to house your student overnight.
*You are not financially responsible for your student.
What are my responsibilities as a host student?
-
Communicate with your family on a regular basis
-
Accept invitations from the host family whenever possible
-
Return all phone calls/e-mails from your host family
-
Share your culture with your host family, and learn from your host family about their culture
-
Notify the Office of International Education if you are unable to continue in the Host Family Program
What types of activities should we do together?
We encourage you to be creative as you consider the types of activities in which you might include your international student. Here are a few suggested activities:
- Celebrate a birthday
- Go bowling
- Serve a family dinner
- Dine out
- Catch a movie
- Play a board game
- Share the holidays together
- Take a trip into Boston
- Go skiing
- Hike a mountain
- Attend a concert
- Go shopping
- Visit a museum
- Watch a play
How do I apply?
Applications for both host families and students can be downloaded from the links that appear at the top right of this page. Please email, fax, mail, or deliver completed applications to the Office of International Education on the third floor of the Hammond Campus Center.
While we do suggest that you complete the application at
the very beginning of each semester, we will gladly try to
accommodate you in the middle of the semester.
|
