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Questions Asked By
Students
- How do I become an exchange student to the United
States?
If you are planning to participate in a short-term
program, simply download, complete and return an MFSE Short-term Program Application.
The application process for the School-Age program is
fairly involved, so it is recommended that you obtain the services of an agent in your home country to assist you and your
family with the application process and to ensure smooth communication. All of our application paperwork can be downloaded,
completed and returned from our website on the page entitled BECOME AN MFSE STUDENT under School-Age
Program. To be connected with one of our local agents in your home country, visit our MFSE OVERSEAS AGENTS
page.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN MFSE SHORT-TERM APPLICATION
CLICK HERE FOR THE PAGE: BECOME AN MFSE STUDENT
CLICK HERE FOR THE PAGE: MFSE OVERSEAS AGENTS
- What age students does MFSE serve?
MFSE can work with students of all ages. We
are now able to accept students as young as elementary school age and also college/university students for our long-term programs.
We are able to tailor any of our short-term programs to the needs and desires of the intended student or group. We are
able to accommodate sibling groups who wish to remain with the same host family and also larger groups wishing to remain together for
our short-term programs as well.
- What does it take to be an exchange student?
Being an exchange student to the United States
can be very challenging and rewarding. If you are entering the School-Age Program, you will need to be proficient enough
in English to learn in an American classroom. Additionally, you will need to have the academic ability and desire to
succeed in the school setting. Participation in our program requires commitment to our agency guidelines and policies. A
strong desire to interact with host family members and get to know others and make new friends will help you a great
deal.
Prospective School-Age Program participants should plan to
submit scores from either SLEP, TOEFL or another standardized test of English ability.
- How do I choose an exchange program?
This really depends upon your overall goals.
Why do you want to come to the United States? How old are you (the student) and how long would you like to
stay? Is an American university education one of your goals? There are two different visas available
for those wishing to come to the U.S.:
F-1 visas
are issued for students planning to attend school in the United States for 90 days or up to many years. They
are long-term and can be renewed and there are no age restrictions for the F-1 visa. MFSE is an F-1 agency. Many
of our students study for one or more years in the United States. Most plan to attend an American University upon high
school graduation.
J-1
visas are issued for cultural exchange, but enable the student to attend an America public high school.
The primary focus of the J-1 program is understanding American culture, not necessarily education. The J-1 is issued
only for students in a narrow age-range, is good for only one year and cannot be renewed. While the J-1 is appealing
because the student would not expect to pay tuition to attend a public school, it is important to use caution here -
some public schools will "audit" exchange students, meaning that their coursework will not be graded.
Also, because of the quirks associated with the J-1 visa, students might not enter the U.S. in time for the beginning of the
school-year, but remember, education is not the primary goal of the J-1 program. The J-1 program is exceptional
for students who are especially interested in cultural exchange or for those who might wish to spend up to a year in the U.S.
to master English. MFSE cannot accept J-1 students and, generally, does not believe that the J-1 program is
appropriate for those planning to come to the United States primarily with the goal of education.
- How long does it take to become an exchange student?
It really depends how quickly
you are able to complete all of the necessary paperwork, including your health examinations and also your visa interview.
It can be done in as little as two weeks, but it is advisable to apply as early as possible to ensure best selection of host
families and acceptance at your first choice of schools. Usually, students planning to enter school in September begin
the process in May or June. However, some more selective schools expect application by April. It can become more
difficult to assure placement the later we receive your application.
- What's the process of becoming a student like - who
does what?
Basically, you provide MFSE the paperwork and an
application fee, which will be applied to school application costs and a downpayment on the first semester's
program fee - we take care of the actual school application part, locate potential host families and make sure you get the
paperwork you need to schedule a visa interview. We even provide coaching tips for your visa interview if you don't
have a home country agent. You need to be sure to get our paperwork to us in a timely fashion - scheduling all necessary
medical appointments and your visa interview. You will need to buy or request health insurance from us as part of this
process as well.
- How do I choose a school?
The school decision is a big one. This also
depends upon your higher education goals and the amount that you can afford to pay for school tuition. MFSE partners
with a wide range of excellent private and Christian schools. To review the schools we serve, please navigate to SCHOOLS
WE SERVE and click on the logos of our partnering schools to be forwarded to their websites where you can learn more about
them. Also, you could read Section 7 of the MFSE Handbook, which gives a brief overview of our schools. Additionally,
MFSE is able to answer more specific questions about our schools and help you make an informed decision.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 7 - THE SCHOOLS WE SERVE
Generally we discourage "agency jumping"
or students who are already working with another agency switching to MFSE. Your contract with your agent is your word
- if you do not follow it, you are violating whatever you previously agreed to do. You surely wouldn't want to
belong to an agency that does not value its contacts, but that requires that the agency can also trust you to do your part.
If you want to join our program, you will need to be released from any previous contract.
- What schools do you serve? What if I want to
attend another school?
We serve a variety of private and Christian
schools of many denominations in our area - see our webpage entitled SCHOOLS WE SERVE. It is possible that we could
form a working relationship with a school, however, it is necessary for both the school and MFSE to formalize a working
relationship before any students can be placed in the school through our program.
- What do the agents really do for me? Do I really
need an agency?
Sometimes students believe that once they are enrolled
in an American school and placed with a host family that an agency is no longer necessary. However, much of the agency's
work continues unnoticed in the background. The primary role of the agency is maintaining the legal guardianship of
the student. Through legal guardianship the agency ensures that the student and his/her parents wishes are met and removes
potential liability from our host parents and the schools that issue the students their I-20s. In most cases, legal
guardianship is required through high school, even for students over 18 years of age.
- What does international student exchange cost?
MFSE makes all of its financial information
readily available in Section 11 of The MFSE Handbook. This includes base program fees, hosting fees and ancillary costs
as well as explanations of how payment is to be made and when a refund might be due. Please read section 11 below.
School tuition information can be locted in Section 7 of The MFSE Handbook.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 11 - FINANCIAL POLICIES
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 7 - SCHOOL INFORMATION
- Why is your agency fee so expensive?
Actually, MFSE is happy to be one of the most efficient
agencies operating in our area and, as such, offers one of the lowest program fees available (applies less to its total costs
of operation than most other organizations).
None-the-less,
we are engaged in an expensive business. Your program fee covers the costs of advertisement and the location of suitable
host families, of our legal agreements and the insurance which makes us a solid organization, the expenses of travel associated
with interviewing and training host parents and orienting students, it pays for the design and maintanance of this website
and the technology needed to do international business and it ensures that there will be someone to answer the phone whenever
there might be a crisis.
- Who determines the hosting fee?
MFSE allows host families to determine their hosting
fee based upon their anticipated expenses of hosting. So the amount our students pay to their host families varies from
about $500.00 to $1,000.00 per month depending upon the family's location and lifestyle. Students living in more
expensive areas or with more active families or those who go out to eat more often or provide more transportation
should expect to pay a higher host fee than those not living in these circumstances. Please read our webpage entitled
HOSTING FOR MFSE to gain greater insight into hosting and the host fee.
- What are my responsibilities as an exchange student?
The opportunity to live and learn in a distant
land is invaluable and rare. Take advantage of every opportunity while on exchange. Lots of self-discipline is
needed. Work hard and excel at school, participate in extra curricular activities, meet new people and form lasting
relationships. While some policies, like English-only rules at home or school may seem burdensome, like all of our guidelines,
they exist to help you make the most of your time here and perhaps the rest of your life. Commit to expanding your views,
become an active part of your host family and have good clean fun.
Of
course, at the time of your application you will be expected to agree to the agency's behavioral rules, procedures and guidelines.
It is your responsibility to know and follow all of the rules of your program. You can find these rules in Section 8
of the MFSE Handbook.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 8 - STUDENT GUIDELINES
- My friend wants to do this too - can I live together
in a host family with my friend?
Although we have no rule about this, MFSE would
advise caution here. Be sure that you remain focused on your overall goals in becoming an exchange student. For
example, if your primary goal is learning English, passing the TOEFL and studying at an Ameican university, it might be hinderance
for your English skill development to live with another student from your own culture. While MFSE is very interested
to further your relationships with your peers and our host families, you need to bear in mind that you will most likely find
it more difficult to make American friends if you choose to hang out with members of your own culture.
- What if I don't like my host family?
MFSE carefully screens its host families to ensure
that our families are hosting for the right reasons - a heart for the students they serve. We also try to match
families with appropriate students. This is why it is very important to truthfully describe yourself on our application
- don't just tell us what you think we want to hear. In order to apply to a program that uses host families in the first
place, you should make sure that your expectations are in line with life in a host home. For example, if you want to
be part of a family and participate in the family's hobbies and lifestyle, you are in the right place. If, however,
you prefer to be alone and aren't really interested in family participation, we would recommend that you consider a school
with a dormitory - we do offer this option.
Of
course, this is the primary benefit of an agency - that if things go badly we can usually solve the problem. If things
are going badly because your host family is not living up to their obligations under our contract, we will relocate you to
a new host family. If, however, your attitude or behavior has been the issue, we would recommend a 30-day remedial plan
to try to help you and your host come to terms with one another. None-the-less, it does happen sometimes that hosts
and students don't get along and a move just simply needs to occur. There are many good reasons, however, to stay connected
to a family and weather the storms that come. Relationships with other people require communication, understanding,
forgiveness, patience and give and take on the parts of all involved.
Questions Asked By Host
Parents
- What's required to become a host parent?
The primary answer to this question is love.
All MFSE host parents need to submit our application
and three references. We will complete a criminal background check unless you are able to provide us with
original documantation that we can copy. You will then meet with an MFSE rep for the home inspection, interview
and orientation process. This process can be expedited and completed in a few days.
The student will need his/her own bed, a dresser and/or closet for clothing, a desk or work-table
with chair and adequate lighting and the ability to access the internet from the host home. Students may share a bedroom
with another person of the same gender as long as the two are no more than four years different in age - space permitting.
- For how long must we commit?
MFSE offers a variety of programs, some are
as short as a few weeks, others last an entire school-year. In some cases, families host their students for several
school years. Generally, hosting for the School-Age program requires a commitment of at least one semester.
- What are host parents responsible for?
Host family guidelines and responsibilities
are enumerated in Section 10 of The MFSE Handbook available on this website. Basically, these responsibilities focus
on providing a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for your student, helping the student to aclamate to life in the US,
succeed in his/her educational placement, and within your family, and remain within the guidelines of the MFSE program.
Host parents are expected to provide the same supervision, structure and activities to exchange students as the would
to their own kids.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 10 - HOST PARENT GUIDELINES
- What am I expected to provide and what should I expect
the student to provide for him/herself?
MFSE host parents are expected to provide their
student with three meals a day, unless the student opts to buy food outside of the home when he/she is not in the company
of his/her host parents. Reasonable transportation should be provided so that the student is able to participate in
extra-curricular activities and social events. Basically, host parents are expected to provide the customary ammentities
of room and board - reasonable heat and utility usage. The student should be included in common family outings
and activities.
Students are expected
to be responsible for their own ancillary expenses such as postage, phone usage, haircuts, medical expenses, toiletries not
customarily provided by the host family, activity expenses, books and school supplies, etc. For further guidance, see
Section 8 of the MFSE Handbook.
- Why is it important that you be Christian to
host with MFSE?
Many of the schools MFSE serves are Christian and
expect that MFSE will locate church-going Christian families to host their students.
Christianity is relational. It describes the possition of man
and his relations with others in a specific way that is very helpful to encouraging relationships and overcoming offense.
Whenever there are relations as close as those with the people that live in our own homes, there are bound to be some
conflicts and difficulties. We feel that it is important to maintain a healthy view of who we are and what our
ultimate purposes in hosting are. We adhere to Christian principles of conflict resolution, our host families commit
to this before we place students with them.
Additionally,
We feel it is vital, in the absence of natural parents, to provide for spiritual growth and direction - that is the teaching
and exemplification of the core guiding principles of life. From and agency standpoint, simply put, we need to
know that our host parents are of like mind. Sharing a faith helps.
- What can a host parent expect from the agency?
The agency supports host parents in a variety of
ways including, by prayer and in forming working relationships. Agency staff assist with communication with school
personnel and the student's family back home. They are there to help resolve any conflicts which may arise or to
step in and establish a firm decision when necessary. The agency provides English tutoring, when needed. The
agency helps provide the resources necessary for successful experiences for both host and student.
While, in the case of MFSE, students themselves are generally responsible for
the payment of hosting fees, the agency stands ready to intercede if necessary. We guarantee hosting fees will
be paid.
- Who determines which student is placed in our home?
Well, in part, you do. During our host parent
application process we discuss which sorts of students would fit your family. We will determine during this process
whether you can accommodate girls, boys or either and how many you are able to host. We will also get a feel for the
age-range of the student you are willing to host, and the sorts of activities your family enjoys. We collect this sort
of information on our students as well, trying to discover their level of comfort with lifestyles, customs and activities.
- May I contact the student and/or his/her natural parents?
Yes - absolutely! MFSE encourages communication
between our host parents and their students and the students' natural families. Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself
and begin the conversation as soon as you know your student's contact information. MFSE works hard to ensure openness
in our business transactions - there is nothing you cannot communicate with the parents of your students.
- What can I expect from an exchange student living
in my home?
This depends in part on the age of the student
you host. Obviously, your expectations of a college student would be somewhat different than the expectations you would
have of an 8th-grade student. Your expectations help us determine which students would be appropriate for your
circumstance. If you prefer loose expectations and a more independent student, perhaps college-age students would be
ideal for your family. If, on the other hand, you prefer a younger student, your expectations will be a bit different.
That being said, all students realize that they are coming to live in your home. It is reasonable that they be expected
to take part in family life, activities and chores. The rules and policies you set for your home and student should
be about the same as they would be for a natural family member of the same age.
All school-age students placed through MFSE will have signed our behavioral guidelines as part of their agency
agreement. You can and should expect students living in your home to follow the rules of the program and you, as
a host parent, should be aware of those rules. They can be located in Section 8 of The MFSE Handbook. This
being said, bear in mind that you will be hosting a teenager and that he/she very well might stray beyond the bounds of the
agency's rules and your home rules as well. Be prepared for this possibility. The agency should be made aware
whenever a student violates his/her behavioral obligations. How such infractions are handled depends quite
a bit on the student's relationship with you, the host family, and your comfort level with moving on from whatever
has occurred.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SECTION 8 - STUDENT GUIDELINES
- Does the agency expect that we will enforce all these
rules - what about what works for us?
MFSE, itself, will be responsible to enforce some
of the rules such as those regarding our paperwork. Other rules, such as those regarding American law need to be enforced
without exception - you cannot allow your student to engage in illegal activities and are expected to make known to the agency
any violation of the law committed by your student. While the MFSE Agency Agreement establishes many rules for
the student living in your home, you have a great deal of flexibility as a host parent to discover what works for you and
your student. MFSE recommends that the same rules that apply to your own kids, if you have them, would apply to your
student and we have simply attempted to create what we would consider normal expectations for an American teen.
- What rules are reasonable to place on an exchange
student?
Again, this has a lot to do with age, however,
the primary goal of every student is academic success. As a host parent, particularly to a school-age student, you might
find that you must establish hard and fast rules around computer use or bedtime. This, naturally, would probably not
be the case with a college-age student, who would need to know what time he/she is expected home in the evenings, what family
activities are optional and which ones you need him/her to participate in, etc. The MFSE rule of thumb is basically
set the same rules and expectations you would for a natural family member of the same age. The agency rules and policies
that students agree to prior to placement are put in place to support our families.
- What if we want to travel or do an expensive activity?
While it is the goal of MFSE that you "adopt
in" your student as completely as possible, we do recognize that there are financial limitations and also personal constraints.
It is always possible to make temporary arrangements with another host family when necessary. Preferably, if it is a
matter of expense, you can approach the student and his/her parents and request the necessary additional money, giving the
student's natural family the opportunity to either choose to participate or not.
- What if there are problems?
Whenever people live together they need to
discover how to accommodate one another. The role of the agency is to help both student and host overcome cultural differences,
develop understanding and work through any conflicts that might arise. That being said, there are just certain times
when people can not accommodate one another, such as when crises occur. This is, perhaps, the best reason to remain
within the agency relationship. The agency is constantly looking for new host homes and, with notice, can find a new
host family as a last resort.
We would
also forewarn anyone considering hosting that there can be problems. When there are, we hope that they can be worked
through independently or, if needed, with an agency intervention called a 30-day action plan. It is important to
realize that it is unrealistic that a host parent could call the agency expecting the immediate and permanent relocation
of the student. And, it is usually best that students learn a pattern of dealing with these sorts of situations rather
than running away from them.
We would
encourage families in crisis to not lose sight of the promise that God works good through all situations for those who remain
faithful.
