- How it Works -

Any family with a child from 12-18 years old is eligible to participate in the Live N Learn Host Family Program. Families may have any religious or ethnic background, but must commit to speaking exclusively English at home while they are hosting a student. Families should have a desire to share their interests and the American way of life with an international student and have an open mind to learning about their student’s customs and culture.

Host families are expected to treat their international student as a member of the family and not as a guest. They are expected to give their student a true American experience by sharing everyday experiences and events with them, such as birthday parties, holiday traditions, family meals, sporting events, movies and even household chores. They must provide the international student with a bed, which can be in a shared room with a sibling of the same gender and close in age. They will also need to provide three meals a day. Families are also expected to provide transportation to group activities up to a few times a week (car pools can be arranged!). The main host student is expected to attend activities with the international guest.

Host families are volunteers. Although there is no direct monetary compensation, Live N Learn will pay for the American students to participate in all organized group activities, many of which have entrance fees. Additionally, families who host a student and then travel to Spain with a Live N Learn program will receive a discount on their program abroad.

Live N Learn matches families and students based on the age, gender and interests of the American host student and international student. We do our best to assure that your family and the student you host share common interests and lifestyles. We personally interview all families and students and also have both parties fill out a questionnaire in order to make the best matches possible.

Students come to the U.S. to live with a host family and learn what daily life is like for American families. Live N Learn expects families to include their student in their normal everyday activities. You are welcome to show them what’s special about your city or plan a few outings, but Live N Learn does not expect families to make extravagant plans or spend a lot of money to entertain their student.

Before the program begins there will be a meeting with all host families to go over guidelines and answer any questions that you may have. During the program there will be Live N Learn staff living in the community and they will be accessible by phone 24 hours/day. Students will always be accompanied during any group activity by Live N Learn staff.

International students are expected to obey all the Live N Learn rules and policies that are applicable while on their program. Should a student break a rule such as driving, hitchhiking, drinking or partaking in illegal drugs, they will have their program terminated. Students are expected to obey U.S. laws and customs and follow any household rules that your family might have. Within your home, you may set consequences for the student as if he/she were your own child. Please contact Live N Learn if a student breaks a rule or there are any serious discipline issues and we’ll handle the problem as we see fit. You will be provided with information on Live N Learn rules and policies, at or before your pre-arrival orientation for host families.