As Dr. Doris Allen,
ISSE founder, has said, "The whole purpose of ISSE is to help children
make friendships with children of other countries." Host children
and their families should follow an ISSE basic recommendation: Don't
plan too much, be flexible, enjoy your visitors! After the joint meeting
with the Visiting Team has taken place, a Host Family orientation meeting
should be held for all members of Host families, including brothers,
sisters and relatives who live with them. The Child Data forms can be
distributed so they can be filled out and, with a family-description
welcome letter for their guests, sent to the guests assigned to each
family. The Child Data forms for each Visitor will have come from the
partner school, and the Host School will do the matching Hosts and Visitors.
Responsibilities of the Host families should be outlined at this meeting
and reviewed at a later meeting, at which time final plans will be confirmed.
A discussion should be held at this first meeting
concerning sensitivity on the part of the hosts toward their guest.
It may be difficult at first for the visitor to become accustomed to
the host's food, meal-times and habits. Patience is very important for
the Host family. Stress having the host child stay with his/her guest
even when the host may prefer to do something alone with school friends.
As soon as Host families know their Visitor's name and address, they
should help start a family-to-family correspondence. The sooner the
better!
Visiting students and their Adult will be provided
with an ISSE host family, a home, and meals for the approximately 4
weeks of the Visit. They should be made to feel that they are members
of the family from the beginning of the correspondence. A host family
should never assume that the Visiting delegates will speak the host's
language. Most delegations do speak English but to what extent cannot
be known ahead of time. Be prepared to use sign language, smiles and
friendly gestures. Try to learn what you can about your visitor's country
history and his language. Even a few words in their own language will
surprise and delight them.
Sleeping arrangements may be handled differently
by each family. Some host delegates share bedrooms with their guest,
others offer the visitor a choice of a private room or of sharing with
the host child. Most schools request that the host families allow their
guest a choice when it comes to family chores. Most children enjoy helping
but they should not be expected to "work" for room and board.
Host families should try to lead as normal life
as possible. Constant entertaining is not expected. Visitors seem to
enjoy normal, everyday family activities rather than frequent shopping,
sightseeing, etc... Hosts should find out if the guests have special
interests and accommodate them if possible, but this does not mean a
special activity every day.
If the Visiting child is homesick, it's important to emphasize fun and
attention; possibly have the host child help prepare his favorite food
or have friends over for a game or records. Contact the Visiting Adult
if the homesickness continues. Normally the first week will pass quickly
and the homesickness with it. Discourage phone calls to the child's
family; probably they will only prolong the problem.
Hosts are encouraged to prepare their regular
meals and not try to cook special items for their visitor. Most children
adapt to the change in food quickly and if problems do arise, the Adult
may be able to suggest alternative foods. If you are hosting a vegetarian,
simple salads, vegetable casseroles, even pizza seem to be successful
fare and fit in with any meal.
Most schools inform Host families that no long distances calls should
be made from their homes by the Visiting children. In case of an emergency,
consult with the Visiting Adult and ask her/him to decide if the situation
warrants a call home. In most cases, an e-mail is an excellent alternative.
Attending church is an individual family matter.
Host families who attend church regularly will wish to take their guest,
and probably this will work out satisfactorily. If a child wishes to
stay at home, possibly one parent could remain with him/her and they
could do something together. On the other hand, if a host family does
not attend church, or if their visitor is of another faith and wishes
to attend a church of that faith, the host should try to make nay necessary
arrangements to make the child feel comfortable.
Host families should be encouraged to keep journals
during the visit, and should remind their visitor to do the same, especially
when their own child does homework.
Giving Host children ISSE badges to wear while the Visiting Team is
at the school will allow other school children, kindergarten through
sixth grade, to know who the ISSE hosts are and will create an awareness
of the Visit for everyone in school. Most Visitors will bring money
with them for shopping. The Adult is usually in charge of this money
and will dispense it as needed. The host family should guide their guest
in gift purchases but not unduly influence him or her to buy items that
the host considers appropriate. Everyone must work together!
Realize that not all Host children and their
Visitors will become fast friends. A host should be gracious and accommodating
and try to make the visitor feel welcome and appreciated. Flexibility
is very important! Host delegates should be reminded that they are representing
their country while they host and should put their best foot forward.
Prior to the arrival, Host parents will meet to discuss various joint
get-togethers for the Visitors. The Adult should be scheduled to visit
the home of each of her or his Team for a meal. Sometimes the entire
Visiting delegation is invited to these functions, sometimes only the
Adult. Often a first-day party is held after the Visitors arrive. This
could be an informal get-together at a host's home, with all families
included. Several group functions are usually planned: picnics, pot-luck
suppers, tours, visits to community meetings, etc... This gives each
Visitor a chance to see fellow delegates on weekends and after school,
and introduces the Visitors to the host's friends, culture and life
style.
Host families should be instructed that the
Visiting children should never be left unchaperoned. An adult should
be present at all times, in case of an emergency. Some schools request
that Host parents not take children out of an one-two hour driving range
unless the entire team or delegation is involved. In case of an emergency,
the Adult chaperone would then be on hand to supervise. Visiting children
are responsible for any and all medical expenses they may incur while
away from home. All parents of Visitors should be reminded of this and
should provide the Adult with adequate emergency funds to pay for expenses
due to accidents or illness. Host parents should feel no pressure to
pay for medical expenses of their visitor. If Host parents do pay, as
a matter of convenience, they should be reimbursed by the Adult. The
child's parents will reimburse the Adult when they return.
In the United States if, somehow, the Host parents
find they have not been reimbursed for such an expenditure, the U.S.
Association of ISSE has a $75 deductible medical insurance policy to
protect these U.S. families for any amount paid in excess of $75. If
it is necessary to put in an insurance claim, get in touch with the
ISSE International Office and request an insurance claim form. Therefore,
parents of Visiting children in all countries should be advised to be
sure their children are covered by medical insurance, either a regular
family policy or a special one for the duration of the trip away from
home.
Hosting families should not have preconceived ideas about their guests,
and should not expect them to behave in a certain manner. This stereotyping
is unfair and may lead to disappointment. Hosts must be open-minded
and accept their guests as they truly are.
Visiting children should be hosted by only one
Host family, unless there are special circumstances. The adjustment
procedure is easier this way, and it does not encourage comparisons
and "rivalry" between one host and another (or their families).
Visiting other families for meals or weekends is a good way to get other
families involved. The Host Coordinator should check with host families
regularly, perhaps each week, to be sure all is going well. If a serious
problem exists, the Visiting Adult and Host Coordinator should be able
to resolve the situation. If a change in Host families is necessary,
remind all parties involved that no one is to blame. The Visitor has
a job to do as an ambassador and is the one who is away from home. The
visitor will perform better when kept as happy and comfortable as possible.
Upon arrival, the Visiting delegation will be
met at the airport by Host families, school representatives and students.
Welcome signs made by students create a friendly and positive beginning.
Some schools take their guests as a group, in a school bus, and leave
them off at their various Host homes. Other schools ask Host families
to travel separately to the airport, feeling it creates less confusion
and allows the visitor to get to know his family more quickly.
Soon after arrival (next day), the Visiting
delegation will meet at a host home or at the school to allow the Adult
and the Visiting Team time to talk and see that all is going well. The
Host Coordinator can receive the medical forms for the Visitors at this
time and also explain the school schedule. The Adult can also talk with
the Host coordinator to advise them of any special situations, answer
questions, etc... The Adult will be given copies of school schedules,
address lists and phone numbers of Host families, and a local map. Also,
the schedule of out-of-school events should be given out: meals at various
homes, group trips, etc. The Visiting Adult might be hosted by a teacher's
or school administrator's family, or by a school family preferably of
a 5th or 6th grade student. This family will be sharing their guest
with many others and should be well aware of this situation from the
beginning. They will need to be flexible, supportive, and hopefully
will keep the Adult's schedule organized. A certain amount of transportation
will be expected and of course, the phone usage in this home will be
more than usual. Sleeping accommodations should be private and comfortable,
the visitor made to feel like a family member. The Adult will need some
free time, depending on his/her interests.
>>Next
Page
