Compass USA

Homestay

Your Passport
To the World of
International Friendship
A Homestay
is an
OPPORTUNITY
 For you to learn and to teach your children to make
friends with people throughout the world.
 For students and families to intimately share their
lifestyles and customs within the home.
 To personally contribute to the growth of international
understanding.
 Learn about another
Hosting is culture and language
FUN! without leaving home.
 Broadens children’s
perspectives on the world.
 Contribute to
understanding among
people.
 Students become
members of the family and
form lifelong friendships.
 See your community
through the eyes of
someone new.
Host Families Come In ALL
Shapes and Sizes
Who Can Be a Host Family?

A "host family" is :
a couple with or without children or
a single parent with at least
one child living at home.
 Single person

But I’m Single! You can host an adult

escort.
 Your Family Needs
to:
 SPEAK ENGLISH in your home.
 Provide a separate bed in
a private or shared bedroom.
 Feed your student three meals
a day!

 have realistic expectations of what life is like

with a teenager.
 be excited about hosting!
We Don’t Have a Guestroom
The student may share a room with a family
member of the same gender and similar age.
The student must have her/his own bed.
A comfortable fold-out couch,
blow-up bed, or futon is fine.
A student must stay in a room
where he can have some
Privacy A family room or den
that can be converted to a guestroom
with a door that ensures privacy can
be used as a bedroom for the student.
How Much Does It Cost to Host?

The only expenses a

family incurs are
those of including
another person in
regular activities and
meals.
Although families may
choose to pay for
other activities with
their students, this is
not required.
 Shared Expectations
Foster a Successful
Homestay

Picture coming to a different place where some

things are similar to your home, but mostly
everything is different. Your goal is to welcome
your student into your family and help him feel at
Treat Your Student Like a
Member of Your FAMILY
How Is Our Student
Selected?
We Consider:
Allergies
Pet Issues (allergies or pet fears)
Health or Eating Issues
Gender
Common Interests
Similar Ages of Children

Somehow, our matches always

seems to work because we have
great families and great kids!
 Will Our Student Speak
English?

Most of our students from Europe have strong English

skills, but it usually takes a few days for them to relax and
feel comfortable.
Our Asian students have more limited speaking capability,
but can usually read and write very well.
 What If I Need HELP?
The Program Coordinator is
your community
representative who plans
and supervises all aspects
of the program. The PC is
available to help you with
the smallest question or the
largest emergency 24/7
during your homestay.
In addition, the Regional
Supervisor and Compass
USA Staff are standing by
to assist you with any CALL US ANY
questions you may have.
 Bilingual Escorts

Help in case we get “lost in

translation”
 Program Assistant

Helps with ALL Activities, Excursions and Airport Transfers

How Will My Student Get
to Class Each Day?
Families that can help
with driving kids to
and from classes and
activities are
welcome to help.
Families that are not
able to help – no
worries! We will
arrange carpools or
public transportation
for your student.
What Shall I Feed My Student?

The Usual! Whatever you usually eat,

please offer the same to your student.
 Do the Students Have
Spending Money?

Students bring
$75 per week for
their personal
expenses. This is
to cover shopping,
activities with
their friends like
movies and lunch
etc.
 Religious Service
Attendance
Invite your student to
attend religious services
with you. It is best to
include him or her in the
social activities that
include young people.
Youth group and Sunday
School are the best!
Medical Insurance

ALL of our students

have medical
insurance.
You will receive a
copy of the insurance
information in case of
an emergency.
July 25 July 26 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31
Students 9:00 to 12:00 9:00 to 12:00 EXCURSION 9:00 to 12:00 9:00 to 12:00 Enjoy day with
arrive!! Orientation & CLASS 9:00 to 5:00 CLASS CLASS your host family
CLASS 12:00 – 5:00 Denver Tour 12:00 to 5pm Free Afternoon
Free Afternoon Lunch and via Lunch and
6:00 Welcome bowling at CU RTD Swimming
Party Picnic at

Reservoir
August 1 August August 3 August 4 August 5 August 6 August 7
Enjoy day with 2 9:00 to 12:00 EXCURSION 9:00 to 12:00 9:00 to 12:00 Enjoy day with
your host family 9:00 to CLASS 9:00 to 5:00 CLASS CLASS your host family
12:00 Free Afternoon Estes Park: 12:00-5:00 Free Afternoon
CLASS Hiking and Lunch and
12:00- Horseback Movies
5:00 riding
Lunch
and
Rec
Center
August 8 August 9 August 10 August 11 August 12 August 13 August 14
Enjoy day with 9:00 to 12:00 9:00 to 12:00 EXCURSION 9:00 to 12:00 9:00 to 12:00 Students leave
your host family CLASS CLASS 9:00 to 5:00 CLASS CLASS for the airport
12:00-5:00 12:00 – 5:00 Carpool to Practice Free Afternoon We will miss
Lunch and TeenDay Water Sayonara you!
Shopping World Party-6:30 PM

What will Students Be Doing Each Day? Programs

Vary. Your coordinator will give you a program
 Classes
Teachers & Students practice English conversation
4 mornings per week – 3 hours a day
 shopping swimming

2 Afternoon Activities per week

Sports &
8 Hour Excursion once a week

 Transportation is provided
 Supervision
 Educational Activity
 Lunch
 Fun Activity
 Shopping
Mountain Trip
Water Park
WELCOME! The coordinator and assistant travel to
the airport to pick up the students while the
families wait patiently in the homestay community
Hi, Momoko! We’ve been waiting for
 Welcome Party

Families and participants come together to enjoy

each other’s company the first or second day of the
homestay at a local park, academic center or family
The party usually consists of a potluck and
informal games and play.
 Orientation Meeting

Families and Students participate in an orientation meeting.

Families attend their orientation before the students arrive. Students
have an orientation meeting after they arrive in their homestay
Getting to know our students at Home and in
Class
 Family Time is a GOOD TIME
Follow your regular routine. Visit the grocery store. Go
to your daughter’s game. Mow the yard! Visit Grandma.
Everything that you do is interesting and it can be FUN!
Time to Say Farewell
 Join The FUN!

Be a
Host
Family