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ISE Host Family Application Process:
Step #1: All host families are required to fill out the required application form. Please print the following pages and return to your Area Representative. If you don't have a representative, please fax this application form with a cover letter to 309-582-2888. State that you need a representative assigned to your family.
Important: For our exchange student's protection and to comply with the US State Department, all host families must have a Criminal Background Check (CBC) completed. This is done at no cost to you. As you print the host family application - you will see the CBC form. This is to be done by each member of your household over age 18 - please fill out, sign and return via fax to the number shown above or give it to your Area Representative. If you have hosted with ISE in the past, you will not need a CBC form filled out again - the original form will be used.
Host Family Application
(please click on link below, type in your family's info, sign the cbc's and the host family rules, print this document and return via fax to 309.582.2888):
http://www.student-management.com/nsmg/uploadedfiles/pdf_docs/ISE/Host%20Family%20Application%20to%20be%20emailed%20to%20Host%20Family%20(no%20inserts).pdf
Step #2: We cannot bring a student to your home without an American school willing to accept. Please contact your local high school to let them know of your interest in the program. See what their requirements or limits are for foreign exchange. The may ask if we are a US State Department approved organization - let them know that we are a non-profit group with a full listing with CSIET (Council on Standards for International Education Travel). This is an important piece to the puzzle for all schools. If the school is prepared to accept, please provide your Area Representative with a contact name and phone number. Sometimes a school has further questions and wants to speak with a representative - please let them know that someone will be getting back to them soon. The school approval is part of the host family application you printed in Step #1.
(Note: Both public and private schools are used in the ISE program. Obviously, if your children go to a private school, you would want your student to go to the same school. Our NY office communcates with the natural family about tuition expenses. This office also takes care of collecting payment from the natural family and making payment at the school for you.)
Step #3: Home visit - we will come to your home for an interview to meet with your family and see where our student would sleep. It is not mandatory that the student have their own bedroom (they may share with a host sibling of similar age) but they must have their own bed provided.
Step #4: References - please provide your Area Representative with four personal references - names and telephone numbers of four people who know you well. A pastor, co-worker, neighbor, friend, etc. (no relatives, please). Put your references on the appropriate form of the host family application to be faxed to this office.
Step #5: Choosing your Student - there are student profiles for you to view on this website. They are either available or marked "placement pending". Please pick three students that would match your family and your interests as many families are looking at the same students across the Midwest. If you have your heart set on a particular student - we need to act fast but it's best to choose three students who you feel would match your family's interests. List them as #1, #2, and #3 choices. If you saw a particular student who sparked your interest and they are no longer on the website, please let this office know (through your Area Representative) what appealed to you the most about that student and we will try to find a similar student.
Step #6: Part of the application process is the Host Family Pictures and Host Family Letter because your new exchange student and their natural family will want to learn more about you and see you, your family, pets, home, etc. Please provide several pictures so that we may physically send them (along with your original application form) to the natural family. Digital pictures are okay and will be printed at the Heartland Regional Office in the Midwest and sent on to New York for processing. Please write a letter to your student and their family. Introduce yourselves and let them know a little bit about you. I always encourage families to write what they would want to hear if they were sending their own child around the world for ten months. Something like - "Tell your mom and dad not to worry - you will be loved and safe in our home" would be appreciated words to hear by a natural parent. Letters can be given to your Area Representative either via e-mail or printed copy.
Step #7: Sit back and wait to hear from your student. They will be so excited to get the news that they have a host family. Once all the paperwork is filled out and input into the computer, you will get a call or e-mail from your new son or daughter. This is the really fun part - getting to know one another. You are on your way to the adventure of a lifetime!