The gphomestay sister company, KnowledgeLink, is sponsoring international students from China to attend three high schools in the greater Boston area for three weeks. The short-term program will take place at Westford Academy, Ashland High School, and Scituate High School from January 29 to February 18, 2017.
As part of this program, international students will stay with American families to further immerse themselves in United States culture. If you’ve thought about hosting an international student, but aren’t sure what to expect, this three week program is a great way to experience hosting an international student to see what it’s all about!
If you choose to apply for the program, and are accepted, you and your family will gain invaluable, first-hand experience with Chinese culture, as well as the joy of teaching an international student the customs of your own country and family. We’re looking for families who value expanding human perspectives and world harmony through education. Most of our current host families call hosting a “life-changing experience” and form special bonds with their students, many of which last longer than the homestay experience.
To qualify to become a short-term host family within the gphomestay network, you must be able to provide three meals per day, as well as provide transportation to and from school. For this program, you may elect to host up to three participants in your home, and students may share bedrooms if you don’t have separate bedrooms for each. This differs from our long-term program where each student needs his or her own bedroom.
Participating in this program gives you full access to all support services gphomestay provides to all hosts. This includes a competitive $800 stipend to offset the costs associated with having an extra person living in your home, as well as a dedicated staff member who is available to you 24/7 in case any issue may arise. The gphomestay Support Services Coordinator would be your main point of contact and will assist you through any conflicts you have with the student, any emergency situations, and will answer any questions you may have.
If you live near Scituate High School, Ashland High School, or Westford Academy, please click here to fill out an inquiry form, or contact Joanne Routenberg, [email protected]; 781-996-0424, if you have any questions.
If you know someone who would make a great host family, either for this short-term program or for our long-term program, please click here to refer them! All people who refer a host that gets approved will receive a referral bonus, regardless of whether you are a current host or not.