FAQs

Hosting Exchange Students FAQS

If your question doesn’t appear below, call our helpful team at 1-800-448-9944, or send us an email at highschool@ciee.org.

My student does not seem to understand why we need to know where she is going, when, and with whom. Yesterday, she came home after her curfew and she didn’t call to let us know she’d be late. What do I do?

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This incident can be a useful cultural learning experience. Treat it as a violation of your house rules. Explain your curfew rules and why they’re important. Explain that it’s common for American parents to want to know – in advance – all the details about a student’s plans and whereabouts.

Can the student’s parents visit for the holidays?

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No, CIEE program rules do not allow students to visit with their family or friends during the five-month program. They may do so after January 1 if they’re participating in a 10-month program. This rule was instituted to help students adjust to their new environment and host family.

Can a host family require a student to attend church?

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No, the host family cannot require a student to attend religious services. However, often church is a big part of the host family’s life, and it’s a nice gesture for the student to go to church at least once, in order to spend time with the family.

A good alternative if the student does not wish to attend the actual service is to suggest that they help take care of the children at church. This can help them fulfill their community-service requirement.

Do host families get paid?

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No. But all host families may deduct up to $50 on their tax return for each school month a student lives with them. Host families of certain grant-program students also may get reimbursement of up to $300 per school year for incidental expenses related to the student.