In consideration of the opportunity
to be a host family, the named host(s) enters into the following understanding
with Greenheart Exchange, a non-profit student exchange organization.
Program
Goals
The overall purpose of the program
is to promote international goodwill and understanding by exposing young people
to the cultures and values of citizens of other countries. It is expected that
for students such exposure will enhance their knowledge of a foreign language,
their cross-cultural skills, self-knowledge and maturity level. For hosts it is
expected that such exposure will enhance their appreciation and understanding
of another culture, provide them a deeper awareness and understanding of their
own culture, and facilitate a potential lifelong friendship with their exchange
student.
Host
Obligations
Host families agree to provide their
students the following:
- Room and board for the duration of the program;
- The student's own bed (He or she may share a bedroom
with a host sibling of the same sex and approximate age. The student's
bedroom must contain a separate bed for the student that is neither
convertible nor inflatable in nature; and the student must have adequate
storage space for clothes and personal belongings, reasonable access to
bathroom facilities, study space if not otherwise available in the house
and reasonable, unimpeded access to the outside of the house in the event
of a fire or similar emergency.);
- Three square meals a day;
- Transportation to and from school and/or activities, as
needed in the event that bussing is not provided by the school or school
district, or transport provided by local coordinator (on group programs);
- Close attention to the student's welfare and safety, as
concerned parents would extend to their own children;
- In an event where local, state, or federal authorities advise evacuation, host families agree to evacuate with their student to an area considered safe and keep Greenheart Exchange frequently apprised of their location and wellbeing;
- Host family members agree that they
will refrain from using cannabis products in the presence of a participant or
offering cannabis products, regardless if it is prescribed and/or usage is
legal in their state;
- Host families agree not to
participate in any illegal activity while hosting, or to knowingly involve or
expose participants to illegal activities;
- Host families with firearms in their possession agree
to ensure that their exchange student will not have access to them at any
time;
- Host families must not provide the student with or
allow the student to drink alcohol on any occasion, even if permission is
given by the natural parents;
- A sincere welcome to the student to participate in
family activities as a full-fledged family member.
Host families are also responsible
for informing Greenheart Exchange of any and all material changes in the status of
the host family or student, including, but not limited to, changes in address,
finances, employment and criminal arrests. Host families agree to maintain auto
insurance coverage on all vehicles used to transport their student(s).
Student
Obligations
Students are:
- Expected to adapt to the host family's cultural customs
and values (A host family may want the student to attend one or more
religious services or programs with the family. The student cannot be
required to do so, but may decide to experience this facet of U.S. culture
at his or her discretion.);
- To integrate themselves into family life—including
abiding by family rules;
- For J1 High School Program and F1 Visa Program students,
to integrate themselves into the high school community and succeed
academically;
- To abide by Greenheart Exchange rules and regulations, as
indicated in the Conditions of Participation form signed by the student
and their natural parents or guardians (Though we expect students to abide
by Greenheart Exchange's Conditions of Participation regarding communication,
host families cannot prohibit student from communicating with natural
parents through telephone and email.);
- To bring funds (we recommend $300 to $350 per month) to
cover their personal expenses and activities.
Organizational
Support
Greenheart Exchange organizationally
pledges to provide its host families a Local Coordinator to orient hosts, to
help them and their students adjust to the challenges of the program, to work
with area high schools and to be available in case of emergency. Host families
may not be working as a Local Coordinator for another sponsor organization
while hosting a J1 high school student
for Greenheart Exchange. Greenheart Exchange further promises to expedite communications
with the recruiting and screening agencies abroad, to ensure international
travel arrangements are secure, to supervise its representatives, and to
monitor and evaluate the program. Additionally, Greenheart Exchange, working through
its Local Coordinators, will resolve any conflicts or problems that may arise between
host and student, and will, depending on the nature of the conflict or problem,
find a new host family or, when such action is indicated, arrange for early
repatriation of the student at the discretion of Greenheart Exchange. If a move is
required, Greenheart Exchange needs 10-14 days’ notice. Our goal is to find an
appropriate placement in the same community and school.
Participant
Welfare
Greenheart Exchange is ultimately
responsible for the welfare of students, not host families. Greenheart Exchange monitors closely all its students throughout the duration of their program.
Health
Insurance
All Greenheart Exchange students carry
health and accident insurance for the duration of the program.
Program
Dates
The approximate dates of the program
are:
Independent Homestay and Group
Homestay: 2-12 weeks depending on the specific program
Hosts who invite students to stay
for a period beyond the conclusion of the program must realize that official Greenheart Exchange sponsorship will cease and that health and accident insurance
will expire.
Photo
and Video Release Permission
For valuable consideration received,
I hereby grant Greenheart International,
("Photographer"/"Videographer") and its legal
representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and
publish photographs/videos of me, or in which I may be included, for editorial,
trade, advertising and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; to use
any photos/videos that I share with Greenheart via email, Facebook, Instagram
or any other Greenheart social medial channels; to alter the same without
restriction; and to copyright the same. I hereby release Greenheart
International and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and
liability relating to said photographs/videos.
By checking the box and typing my
name below, I confirm that I am a host parent and our family has read and
agreed to the requirements, obligations, and commitment to host explained in
the host family agreement. Furthermore, all members of our family agree that
this is a worthwhile experience, that we wish to host a Greenheart Exchange student,
and that we are financially able to host.