Becoming a Host Family

Thank you for your enquiry about the university homestay services through WISE® Worldwide International Student Exchange

Our goal for this program is to provide:

A rich educational experience (linguistically and culturally) for students, and a cultural exchange experience for the host family.

A safe, welcoming and interactive home environment for students and their hosts.

A program in which WISE® is confident that every reasonable measure has been followed in order to ensure the success and educational value of each placement for both host and student.

WISE® California College / University and ESL Program

WISE® has worked with UC Irvine for the past 30+ years to provide homestay placement services for students who attend the University’s Continuing Education English Language Program as well as the University Degree programs, and our local community colleges. Our services are also available to students and families for nearby colleges/universities and learning centers in our service area. Our goal is to closely integrate the intrinsic educational value of living with a host family, with academic and immersion programs for the universities and colleges we serve.

Local Support

Our local Program Director recruits, interviews, trains and counsels and actively oversees host families and is involved in program development and program management. It is the Program Director’s responsibility to maintain a good rapport with students, host families and School staff in order to ensure a safe and satisfying experience for both the student and the host family. The Program Director and local staff are available to provide support and assistance to both the family and student throughout the term of a student’s stay. Host families are encouraged to contact the local office for questions and/or assistance as needed.

Continuing Education programs at the Universities of California at Davis and at Irvine

The Continuing Education programs are one of the most respected ESL programs in the nation. They were developed for students who want to learn English for academic, professional and/or social reasons. Sessions are scheduled quarterly throughout the year. Students participate in approximately 22 hours of instruction per week, and may enroll independently in either the 10 week or 4 week programs. Students have the option to sign up for field trips, and a variety of after school activities. Apart from independent students, Continuing Education also hosts many special group programs. These groups stay for varying lengths of time, and have unique schedules and activities.

The UCD and UCI Continuing Education schools feature state-of-the-art computer labs, and students may request an e-mail access account. Also featured are multi-media language labs where students can listen and practice English with audio and video equipment.

Students

International students come to the UC Continuing Education Programs because of their academic excellence, with the comfort of our beautiful local communities that offer safe environments in which to live and learn about American culture. Although the demographics of our international guests vary dependent upon a particular nation’s economy, currently the largest percentages of students come from Japan. We have students from all over the world though, with representatives from Europe, the Middle East, South America, Africa and Indochina and all of Asia. Students may be here from 2 weeks to a year or more. Typically students come for either 10-week or 4-week programs. Most students range in age from 18 – 50 years old. Their goal is usually to improve their English speaking ability in order to enhance education and employment opportunities when they return home or to improve their language skills sufficiently to allow them to attend a US College or University to attain their degree.

To qualify for entrance into the ESL Programs, students must provide a financial statement certifying that they have sufficient funds to cover all basic living expenses while in the US. Additionally, they must purchase health insurance from the University upon their arrival.

Host Families

If you are able to provide a private room, bed with linens, desk with a sturdy chair and good lighting, internet access, a place to store clothing, and most importantly – a safe, stable and caring environment, then you have what it takes to be a WISE® host family. Our families represent the vast diversity and heritage of the American people in our local communities. We have excellent hosts who are single, single parents, retired couples, and couples with young children, grown children or no children. Host parents must be 28 years of age or older, provide a clean and welcoming safe environment, and be committed to the caring and welfare of their student during his or her stay. Because students elect homestay in order to improve their English speaking abilities, host families must also be fluent in English, and speak English as the primary language in their home and whenever the student is present.

Host families are compensated for room and board according to the meal plan the student selects. Most students are placed with the 2-meal program.  In most cases, students pay their host families directly; however some arrange to have WISE® issue the host family monthly stipend. Once you are qualified as a WISE® host family, the local program director will discuss with you the upcoming opportunities to host with you.

Basic Requirements

Hosts

WISE® hosts provide a clean, odor free, comfortable and safe environment, with a private bedroom which includes a proper bed, desk with adequate lighting for studying, dresser and some closet space. The house and neighborhood are clean, pleasant and safe. Since students come here to improve their English skills and knowledge of our culture, household members are required to be proficient in English and speak English at home.

WISE® guarantees families will be within a 60-minute commute by bus.
Hosts must inform WISE® of any changes in their household prior to accepting a new student.

Students

Students are not expected to work for room and board; however, participation in daily home life is required. Students are instructed to clean up after themselves in the kitchen and common areas, and to clean their own bedrooms and bathrooms.

Students are responsible for preparing their own breakfast. When away from the family’s home on independent time activities the students are responsible for their own meals.

Students are responsible for their own lunches.

Students must respect and obey the host family’s household rules.

Students may not bring guests to the Host Family’s home without prior permission.

Long distance telephone calls are made at the student’s expense either by pre-paid phone card, or by collect call.

Support from WISE®

As a national organization, WISE® carries liability insurance to protect host families against any expense not covered by their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

The WISE® Program Director will phone you one to two weeks into the program to check in, and is available to counsel and advise throughout the term of placement.

The WISE® Program Director is available to hosts and individual students for counseling and advice by phone and appointment.

Office

WISE Foundation
P.O. Box 1332
Dyersburg TN-38025, USA

Contact

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