As more schools offer international programs, new questions have arisen about the best ways to support foreign students. These students are separated from their families for months at a time and schools want to do what’s in their best interests. One method that schools take is homestay programs.
Homestay programs provide a way for students to experience a home environment and a true cultural exchange at the same time. But school officials must make sure these arrangements are safe and the best fit for their international students’ wants and needs.
ISM Consultant Jacqui Yamada shares three elements of homestay programs that schools must focus on to ensure student safety and happiness.
- What parents really want—Are parents more concerned with their child’s academic performance or overall well-being, and how can schools alter their messages to match those needs?
- SEVP expectations and guidelines—What do schools need to do to stay in compliance with the latest regulatory changes and program guidelines?
- Recruiting new host families—How can schools find and vet host families that match their mission and will provide a wonderful experience for visiting students?
Watch the video below to hear Jacqui’s insight.
These elements are just the surface of the complexities of homestay programs. Program sustainability is a challenge for many schools, causing most to review the overall viability of their international student offerings.
For more information on international programs, you can also attend “Boost Enrollment Through a Strategic International Program” during our 2019 Summer Institute. Explore why you must take a mission- and student-centric approach to create and build an international program that supports your school’s enrollment goals. Identify the resources you need to properly and intentionally grow a robust program, while best serving all students, domestic and international. This workshop takes place July 17–18 in Philadelphia, PA.
Additional ISM resources:
The Source for Private School News Vol. 18 No. 4 Eight International Student Recruitment Strategies to Consider
The Source for Private School News Vol. 17 No. 6 International Student Enrollment on the Decline
The Source for Private School News Vol. 17 No. 2 How Are Your International Students Adjusting?
Additional ISM resources for members:
I&P Vol. 43 No. 12 International Student Program Certification: Always Be Prepared for an Onsite Audit
