Match Packet
When a match has been finalized you will receive the match packet, which includes the following items:
- Match letter with student contact information
- Preliminary plan for arrival day (date, time of meeting and location – tentative)
- Original student application with pictures and letter to host family
- Copy of Host Family Guidebook (see below for details)
Communication with Your Visitor
Once you receive your match information, it is time to start communicating! It is important to communicate so everyone will feel as comfortable as possible on arrival day. A mailed card or letter is a thoughtful gesture when the match is first received. E-mail, WhatsApp, or social media are easy ways to get in touch in the meantime. We also recommend connecting with the parents of your visitor, too, since they may be nervous about sending their child abroad. Getting to know their child’s host family can help them prepare and feel more comfortable, too.
Host Family Guidebook
Topics covered in this guidebook:
- Welcoming Your Student (Pre-Arrival Contact, Rooming Preparation, Arrival Day, First Few Days)
- Language & Communication (Helpful Tips, Pitfalls to Avoid, Display of Emotion/Appreciation, Greetings, Ideas for Lower-Level/Reluctant Speakers)
- Foods & Meals
- Home Life – Fitting In
- Planning Activities (Places to Go, Things to Do, Getting the Students Together, Spending Money, Going Out of Town/Vacations)
- A Few Rules
- Communication Expectations (Student Expectations, Host Family Expectations)
- Support During Visit
- Steps for Resolving Issues
- Medical Insurance
Pre-Arrival Email
About two weeks before the student arrives, you will receive by email the FINAL details of arrival and departure, including confirmed times and locations, insurance details and important contact information.