INFORMATIONAL GUIDE FOR:

LANGUAGE STUDIES
INTERNATIONAL
HOST FAMILIES

2009

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 Table of Contents
Phone Numbers/ LSI Staff 3
Foreword 4
History of LSI 5
Student Profile 6
Host Family Program
Placement of Students 7
Host Family Placement Confirmation 8
Host Family Standards & Procedures
A. Cultural Exchange 9
B. Language 10
C. Accommodation 10
D. Neighborhood/Distance 10
E. Student Bedroom 11
F. Cleaning 11
G. Meals 12-13
H. Arrival 13-14
I. Keys 14-15
J. Safety 15
K. Pets 15
L. Telephone 15-16
M. Laundry 16
N. Vacation 16
O. Liability 17
House Rules 17-18
Compensation 18-19
Changes 19-20
Extension of Student Stay 21
Evaluations 21-22
Cultural Awareness 22-23
Helpful Info. for Int’l Students 24-26
Suggested Bibliography 27

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 Important Phone Numbers
LSI Office Phone: (619) 234-2881
LSI Office Fax: (619) 234-2883
EMERGENCY ONLY LSI (866) 402-6796
Emergency: Ambulance, Fire, Police: 911
San Diego Fire Department: (619) 533-4300
San Diego Police Department: (619) 531-2000

Customs General Information (619) 557-5360

Public Transportation: 1-800-COMMUTE or
www.sdcommute.com

LSI Office Staff

Steven Nicholson, Director/Vice President, US Operations
Steven is the managing director of LSI San Diego. He oversees all areas
of the San Diego school and all US operations for LSI.

Rachel Ishiguro, Director of Studies

Rachel is responsible for the teaching staff and administration of the
curriculum and academic program.

Nicole Brokaw, Registrar/Student Services Coordinator

Nicole is responsible for all student registration and immigration
matters. She also handles the activities program.

Suzette La Salle, Accommodation/Student Services

Coordinator
Suzette is responsible for administering the home stay program and
booking hotel accommodations for incoming students, in addition to
other duties pertaining to the care and comfort of our students.

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 AN INFORMATIONAL GUIDE FOR LANGUAGE
STUDIES INTERNATIONAL HOSTS
This informational guide has been written to promote the best possible
relationship between LSI, its students and its hosts. It explains the
practical aspects of hosting a foreign student in your home as well as the
agreement you will enter into with LSI.

As a host to an international student, you form an integral part of the

Language Studies International program. In our effort to provide the
highest quality English language and cultural immersion experience to
international students, we see a successful host family program as a crucial
element in forming this experience. The happiness and well-being of a
student is directly affected by his/her stay in your home. Students choose
family accommodations for the benefit of home comforts, a more personal
atmosphere, an opportunity to practice speaking English outside of the
structured classroom environment, and, generally, to learn more about our
way of life in the United States. LSI takes special care in selecting hosts
who display the characteristics of warmth, generosity, and open-
mindedness, all of which will make a foreign student feel welcome in their
home. We expect that you will treat students as extended members of
your family, making every effort to ensure that the students are both
comfortable in your home and included in family life on a regular basis.

Following is a brief description of Language Studies International and its

host family program, as well as points of policy and other information
which you will find helpful in becoming a successful part of our program.

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 Language Studies International was founded in 1965 by the current owner,
David Immanuel, and has since grown from one small language school in London to
nineteen year-around language schools. All LSI schools teach the language spoken
in the country where the school is located. LSI currently has four centers in the U.S.
with the administrative headquarters located in San Diego and branch schools in
Berkeley, Boston, and New York, which were established in 1989, 1979, 1992 and
2000 respectively. These schools offer a full program that includes an intensive
English as a Foreign Language course, accommodation in a host family, residential
hotel, or college dormitory, and an organized social activities program. LSI strives to
provide excellent courses and instruction with a high standard of quality and service
that is sensitive to the needs of students from various cultures.
LSI offers a wide variety of short and long-term intensive language training
programs suited to students from varying backgrounds and interests. The Standard
20 and Intensive 30 courses are group classes in which students can learn English
through the communicative method. These courses, offered in six different levels
from beginner through advanced, are geared toward the individual wishing to
enhance his/her communication skills for purposes such as travel, social interaction,
professional and personal development, and the pursuit of higher education. The
Intensive 30 course includes additional electives in the afternoon, allowing students
to choose among a variety of subjects including TOEFL preparation and Modular
Business. LSI also offers twelve-week test preparation courses three times a year
for the Cambridge First Certificate Exams and twice a year for the Cambridge
Advanced Certificate Exams. For students who would like to improve their English
for professional needs or other specific purposes all four centers offer a Plus course,
combining the Standard 20 or Intensive 30 program in the morning with either one or
two private lessons in the afternoon. In addition, LSI Boston and LSI Berkeley offer
the Mini-Group course which offers 40 lessons per week to professionals wishing to
focus exclusively on English for business purposes. All four LSI centers provide
private or specialized instruction of twenty to sixty lessons per week, tailored to meet
the needs of individual students.

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STUDENT PROFILE
Language Studies International students come from
all walks of life. Many are recent high school
graduates wishing to perfect their English before
continuing in their studies.

Some of our students are already working and find that they need a
better command of English for their particular field of
employment.

Still others are sent by their companies or are here on a study

vacation. From students to business professionals to retired
persons, our students range in age from sixteen to seventy-nine,
with the average student age being from mid to late twenties.

It is very important to remember that no two students are

alike. Although the majority of our students are
quite mature and very independent, some may
be traveling to a foreign country for the first time in
their lives and may, therefore, require a little extra care
and attention.

Whatever the case may be, it is important to remain aware and

respectful of your students’ different cultural backgrounds. The
most successful hosts in our program invariably take a reasonable,
easy-going approach to the many and varied circumstances they
encounter.

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PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS
Students book courses at LSI through our schools abroad, through "school/travel"
agencies, or through direct contact with us. Registration forms are generally
received by fax or by email. Once received, we do our best to place students in
homestays no later than two weeks before their arrival date. Once you have
agreed to be an LSI host and our Student Services Coordinator has visited your
home, your name will be placed on our bookings list. Since our business is
seasonal with a large summer enrollment, we may not always have a student to
place in your home during the winter. With this in mind, we will do our best to
place students in your home; however, we cannot guarantee that you will not
have some period of vacancy. While Language Studies International does not
enter into a formal signed contract with hosts, we do expect that the agreed-
upon space will be available for use throughout the year, unless special
arrangements are made.

Once you have accepted a student placement, we will send you a confirmation
form (see example below) and a welcome letter to pass on to the student. The
confirmation form will include the student's name, age, country of origin, and
meal plan, as well as the dates for which you will receive reimbursement. Please
be aware that once you have agreed to a placement, we immediately fax a
confirmation including your name and address, as well as a host family
description, to the student. Students are often anxious about staying with a host
family, and it can be very upsetting to change from one family to another before
the students even arrive in the United States! If for any reason you become
unable to accept this placement, we ask that you call the school immediately.
Because it is very difficult to find a replacement family at any time, we can only
accept cancellations in the event of an emergency. Placing students is the job of
the Student Services Coordinator, Suzette La Salle.

On the next page is an example of our host family placement confirmation which
you will receive once a student is placed with you. As you will see, it has all of the
pertinent information regarding the student(s) placed with you.

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John and Jane Doe
1234 Dream Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101

21 May 2009

Dear John and Jane,

This will confirm that the following homestay student has been placed with you:
Name: Mr. Steven STUDENT
Age: 20
Country: Sweden
Personal Details:
Accommodation Arrival Date Departure Date
Homestay-Single, Half-Board 9/5/2009 9/12/2009
Arrival Information Arrival Date Flight Number/Time
No Airport Transfer Required 9/5/2009 Details to follow.

We have confirmed this arrangement with you with the understanding that you will not be away for any period
of time during the student’s stay. If, for any reason, you find you are unable to accept, please contact our
office without delay as both the student and the overseas agent must be informed of any changes.
Please sign this form and return the BOTTOM PORTION to us upon the student’s arrival. Keep the top portion
for your records. Please note: If a student leaves before the above departure date, you will be paid only for
the time that the student actually stays in your home. Should the student wish to stay in your home longer,
please notify the LSI office immediately so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Also, please pass the following pages on to your student as they contain directions on how to get to the school
on their first day. Should you or your student need further information on this, you may consult the official
Online Transit Information System at www.sdcommute.com or call 1-800-COMMUTE.

Best Regards,

Suzette La Salle
Student Services Coordinator

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOMESTAY CLAIM FORM

John and Jane Doe
FOR: Mr. Steven Student
Accommodation Arrival Date Departure Date
ISY Homestay-Single, Half-Board 9/5/2009 9/12/2009
COURSE STARTS: 9/7/2009
This claim is for the period specified above. Please sign this form and return it to us upon the student’s
arrival. Note also, that you will be paid only for the time that the student actually stays in your home.
Please, notify the LSI office immediately if any changes occur.

Signature___________________________________ Date_______________________________

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HOST FAMILY STANDARDS & PROCEDURES
From single persons to married couples, large families
to retired persons, LSI hosts represent a vast array of
backgrounds and lifestyles. Despite these differences,
we expect that all of our hosts will share the common
bond of an interest in international exchange. In
addition, there are certain standards that must be met
and procedures which must be agreed upon in each
homestay for the host to become a member of the LSI
program.

I. Cultural Exchange:
We cannot stress enough that the purpose of our homestay program is,
first and foremost, to provide an opportunity for cultural exchange. Hosts
welcoming international students into their home should not view the
program as a simple means of renting a spare room or as a business venture.
While LSI does provide reimbursement to you as hosts, this is a gesture
necessary in order to thank you for extending yourselves and
to lessen the additional costs incurred as a result of having
an extra member in your home.

All members of the host family should be motivated to treat

students in a way that will make their stay in this country a happy
experience. Hosts should be concerned about the impression that the
United States and its people make on students during their stay here. We
expect that you will be both willing and available to help students with
any problems or questions that may arise, especially those regarding the
student's adjustment to this country and its customs. Always try to put
yourself in the same position as the students, and imagine what you would
expect and how you would wish to be treated.

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 II. Language:
It is strictly against LSI policy to place two students of the same native
language in the same host family. Our students are here to speak English,
not their native language! We make a promise to all of our students that
they will not be placed in a home with someone else from the same
country, so we ask that you please respect this rule. Also, please do not use
students to practice your foreign language skills. That is not the purpose of
the students’ visit.

Hosts should encourage students to speak English as much as possible.

When talking to a student, the main thing to remember is to speak slowly
and clearly - there is no need to speak loudly! Engage in conversation at
meal times, and encourage reading the newspaper for discussion. Also,
don't be shy about correcting the students’ English. If executed in a
friendly way, you will be doing them a favor that will be appreciated.

III. Accommodation:
Families hosting an international student should have adequate housing so
that other family members are not inconvenienced. It is extremely
important that all members of the household be willing to participate in
the program. A sensitive student will know whether he/she is making the
family uncomfortable. Also, families should allow students access to
common areas of the house, just as all other members of the family have
access.

IV. Neighborhood/ Distance:

All homestays must be accessible to public transportation and must be
within reasonable commuting distance to Downtown. Out of consideration
for our students, LSI requires that the commute from the homestay to the
school be no more than 30 minutes. In addition, all homestays should be
located in a safe, secure neighborhood. No student should feel
uncomfortable or frightened during his/her stay in San Diego.

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 V. Student Bedroom:
Each student should have a comfortable, private room where he/she can
study, read, and find privacy when he/she wishes. No student should ever
be asked to share a room, unless it is a special circumstance and is arranged
by the school. The student should have a comfortable, normal-sized bed or
futon with clean linens provided weekly. A mattress and box springs on
the floor or on blocks is not acceptable! It is the host's responsibility to
wash students’ sheets and towels once a week and to provide clean linens
more frequently, if requested. In addition, the student’s room should have
a desk or writing table, as well as ample drawer and closet space for
personal belongings.
Please be sure that there is adequate lighting over the desk or table for
study purposes. An alarm clock, a mirror, and a wastebasket (preferably
fireproof) will all be welcome additions. You may want to protect the
bedroom walls by hanging a bulletin board for the display of posters, maps,
etc. Most importantly, be creative! Students will appreciate your
decorating efforts.

VI. Cleaning:
Students are responsible for tidying their personal belongings and making
the bed. However, some students may not be accustomed to picking up
after themselves, and you may have to remind them that they must now
perform such duties on their own. It is the responsibility of the hosts,
however, to provide weekly cleaning of the students’ room. This includes
vacuuming, dusting, and changing the linens. Hosts should also make sure
that the bathroom is kept clean daily. Please remember that it is your
obligation to perform these housekeeping tasks; do not request that the
student do so.
**Keep in mind that a clean home is essential to providing a pleasant
environment for your student. For many students, this is just as important
as staying with a warm, welcoming family. Regardless of how tidy your
student may or may not be, one of the most common complaints and
reasons for moving students is that the "house is dirty."

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 VI. Meals:
LSI offers two meal plans with the host families: Bed &
Breakfast, which includes breakfast only, and Half
Board, which includes breakfast and dinner. It is
important to keep in mind that the majority of students
request the Half Board meal plan. B&B preferences by
the family will be met as student requests call for. It is not necessary to
provide Half Board all year long; in fact, you may request to provide both
meal plans at differing times throughout the year. In our busy months of
July and August it is necessary to offer both meal plans, depending on
student requirements. Please advise the Student Services Coordinator of
any preferences you have regarding the meal plan, and we will do our best
to place students according to these preferences.
Whatever plan you choose, please remember that you are
responsible for providing the meals seven days a week.

LSI understands that it is highly uncommon for most families to sit down
together for breakfast each morning. While it is perfectly acceptable to
offer a self-serve style of breakfast, please be sure to show students where
you will leave the breakfast food (i.e. milk and juice are in the fridge, cereal
and bagels are in the pantry, coffee and tea are on the stove, etc.), and
emphasize that they are to help themselves. You should ask students what
they like to eat and ensure that you are leaving a sufficient amount of food.
Also, please keep in mind that the Bed & Breakfast meal plan does not
exempt you from spending time with students.

Students who have requested the Half Board meal plan will expect to sit
down to the same meal as their hosts. The only exception to this may be
when the student has dietary restrictions. Students eating dinner with the
family may also expect to be served "real food" each evening-- fast food and
microwave dinners are not acceptable. If you are concerned about
preparing foods your student will enjoy, you may wish to bring the student
along when you go to the grocery store. Otherwise, you could invite your
student to add any items he/she especially likes to the shopping list. Hosts

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should ask students to inform them in the event that they will not be home
to eat dinner with the family. Unless students tell you otherwise, you are
still responsible for providing dinner for them. In this case, the host should
leave a plate for the student to reheat once he/she gets home.

If you are providing only breakfast, reserve space in the refrigerator for the
student to keep sandwiches and other small snack items, and show the
student where this space is. Some students are good cooks and enjoy
cooking. If you wish to extend kitchen privileges to students regularly or
occasionally, as many hosts do, you should work this out on an individual
basis. Be flexible! The student you had last month who cooked and made a
terrible mess may be replaced by a student who is a gourmet chef! If you
find that you have a student who enjoys cooking, you may suggest that
he/she prepare a meal from his/her country for which you could purchase
the necessary ingredients.

VIII. Arrival:
If your student has requested an airport transfer, the Student
Services Coordinator will forward the arrival details of the
student to you the week prior to the student’s course start date.
Students who have not requested a transfer are asked to
contact you directly to inform you of his/her arrival details. If
you have not received the information one week prior to the student’s
arrival, please contact the Student Services Coordinator, and he/she will
attempt to acquire the information through the agent. Normally, students
are expected to arrive at their homestay on the Sunday before classes begin
and to leave no later than the Sunday after classes end. This is the period of
time which you will be paid for unless otherwise indicated on your
accommodation notification. Arrivals before Sunday and departures after
Sunday will be compensated at the extra night rate. If your student
contacts you directly to inform you that he/she will be arriving earlier than
planned, please notify the school so that we can invoice the student
directly for this amount. The same procedure should be followed if your

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student indicates that he/she will be staying later than his/her original
departure date. LSI will then reimburse the host family accordingly for
these extra nights.

LSI requires that a member of the host family be at home to welcome

the student upon arrival. Since we are unable to predict flight delays or
last minute changes, we ask that you try to be as flexible as possible and
remember that a student's initial arrival can be quite stressful. After a long
and tiring journey, a warm welcome from the host family is very reassuring
and leaves the students with a positive first impression of the overall
program at LSI. If for any reason you are unable to be at home for the
student's arrival, please notify the school immediately. While we will do
our best to assist you in making alternative arrangements in an emergency,
it is ultimately your responsibility as the host family to welcome the
student once you have accepted their placement.

To prevent such problems please be advised that we have implemented a

waiting fee in the event that the host family fails to be at home when a
student arrives. Many students book an airport transfer service, which
provides transportation from the airport to the students’ homestays.
Because the transportation company will charge LSI an additional hourly
rate for any time that they are forced to wait for the host family to arrive
home, we must insist that the host family reimburse this amount to LSI.
For your reference, this waiting fee will be charged at the rate of
$37.50 per hour.

IX. Keys:
Students should be given a front door key and the freedom to come and go
as they please. If your home has a security alarm system, please make
certain students are instructed in its operation. Please make sure to
exercise patience when explaining these details. You may want to include
these instructions in a written list of house rules to ensure that students
understand.

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 X. Safety:
Be sure to explain any special safety rules to students, especially if you have
small children. It is automatic for a parent to keep pills, cleaning fluids,
and breakables out of the reach of small children and to keep upstairs
windows closed. However, students who are not parents or are not used to
being around small children may need a reminder. A bolt, a lock, or a hook-
and-eye catch high on the door of the bedroom used for students will
alleviate worry over young explorers. Please also give a detailed
explanation of the use of any electrical equipment, room heaters, water
heaters, etc. Fire precautions and action to take in the event of a fire
should also be discussed.

XI. Pets:
If you have pets, please be aware that many people are allergic to some
animals, and others simply do not like or are afraid of certain animals.
Unless a student permits it, please do not allow pets in his/her room.

XII. Telephone:
All students should have access to a telephone. It is the
responsibility of each host family to establish a policy
regarding the use of their telephone for long distance calls.
Although some families allow students to reimburse them for long distance
calls, LSI strongly recommends that you advise students to purchase a
phone card for making such calls. Phone cards can be purchased at many
convenience stores in and around San Diego. The use of a phone card is so
convenient, because it quickly eliminates any problems or confusion
regarding the phone bill, and it incurs no cost to the telephone account
being used.
Although it is quite infrequent, there have been instances in the past
when students have left their homestay neglecting to provide sufficient
reimbursement for their telephone bill. While we will do our best to help
you contact a student in his/her home country, please be advised that LSI is
not liable for any loss or damage incurred as a result of a student’s stay in
your home and is therefore not responsible for these costs.

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 XIII. Laundry:
It is the responsibility of the hosts to provide and regularly launder
students’ towels and sheets. Clean linens should be provided on a weekly
basis or more frequently, if requested. Students are responsible for any
personal items of clothing. If you have a washer and dryer, you may find it
convenient to offer to wash students’ clothing with your own. If you
would rather have students operate your laundry facilities on their own,
please make sure to give them careful instructions beforehand. If you do
not have access to a washer and dryer, please advise students who stay
with you where to find the nearest laundromat. It would also be very
helpful to accompany students, at least for the first load of laundry.
Students will appreciate the use of an iron and ironing board at convenient
times as well.

XIV. Vacations:
If you plan to leave on vacation, please notify LSI so that we will not place
a student in your home during your absence. Our students arrive
expecting a "host" so you must be in the home. Trips of a few days
duration are often acceptable when you are hosting a long-term student, so
long as this is agreeable with both LSI and the student. In this case, it is
your responsibility to arrange for someone to fulfill your board obligations
(i.e., breakfast or half board). Please discuss such plans with the school
administration as far in advance as possible. However, you should never
plan a trip for the first week of a student’s stay and should always consult
the school before planning a trip during a student’s stay. Also, you should
advise the school immediately if you must leave because of an emergency.

XV. Liability:
Please note that LSI is not liable for any loss or damage as a result of
the student’s stay in your home.

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HOUSE RULES, ETC.
It is advisable to sit down with students within the first few days of
arrival to discuss any important household rules. At this time, be sure to
give a clear explanation of any safety rules, and explain how the family
prefers to handle the use of the telephone and laundry facilities. Many
hosts find it helpful to write a welcome letter in order to ensure that the
students understand such important rules. Other issues to be
considered and discussed with students include entertaining guests, use
of the television, and smoking.

I. Guests:
One aim of the program at LSI is for students to meet and communicate
with as many people as possible. Therefore, students will most likely want
to bring occasional guests home. It is certainly reasonable to allow
students to entertain friends at suitable hours. Please let students who
stay with you know if you would like to be asked each time; some hosts do
not expect to be consulted after the first occasion. The question of
whether or not a student should entertain members of the opposite sex in
his/her room is up to the individual host family, but you may find that you
can reach a good compromise by allowing some privacy in a sitting room
when possible. Make it clear that you expect quiet after 11:00 pm (or after
the family has gone to bed). It may be wise to specify that no overnight
guests will be allowed except by special arrangement through the school,
in which case an additional fee will be involved. You may find it easier to
tell students that they must check with the school before making any
change in arrangements.

II. Television:
Most students will enjoy watching television--it provides entertainment
and helps improve English painlessly. If you have only one student, you
may choose to let the student watch as he/she wishes. However, with
more than one student it may be better to make a specific arrangement for
viewing times. While some hosts provide television sets in the students’
room, you may find that there is more opportunity for social interaction
when the TV is in a common area.
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 III. Smoking:
Although it is not so common in the United States, smoking is still quite
popular among the majority of students visiting from abroad. Please make
it clear to students whether smoking will be permitted inside the house.
While some hosts designate a certain area of the house or ask students to
smoke by an open window, others simply ask students to smoke outside. If
you prefer not to host students who smoke, please inform the
school. Although we do not always receive this information
in advance, we will do our best to accommodate you.

COMPENSATION
LSI compensates hosts at a weekly rate with payments processed on the
Tuesday of the second week of a student’s stay. Payments are made for a
period of two weeks (or less) and cover one week that has passed and one
week in advance. The weekly rate covers the period from the Sunday of
arrival to the Sunday of departure (or the Saturday of arrival to the
Saturday of departure); early arrivals and late departures are compensated
at the extra night rate. If a student moves for any reason during the normal
Sunday to Sunday (or Saturday to Saturday) period, payments will be pro-
rated for the actual number of nights that the student stayed in the home.
Checks will be mailed from San Diego and will normally arrive by the
second Saturday of a student’s stay. If for any reason you do not receive
your check by the third Monday of a student’s stay, please contact the
school immediately. Any and all payments should be handled through the
school.

Under no circumstances whatsoever should the family make private

financial arrangements with a student. This is strictly against LSI policy
for a number of reasons. First of all, many students book courses through
agents with whom we have commission arrangements and contract
relationships; we must uphold these contracts. More importantly, LSI feels
very strongly that money should be kept out of the host family and student

18
relationship. This relationship should be one of cultural exchange. When a
host family begins making financial arrangements with students, the
nature of the relationship automatically changes to one of business.
Forming such an accord with students is completely against the mission of
LSI’s homestay program and is not acceptable under any circumstances. In
the event that a student arrives early, changes his/her meal plan, or decides
to extend his/her stay, please notify the school immediately. LSI will
invoice the student directly for this amount and reimburse the host
accordingly.

***Money received for host accommodation is considered taxable

income. All host families must fill out a W-9 form in order to receive
payment. In January you will receive a 1099 form from our Accounting
Department to file with your tax returns.

CHANGES
LSI views the host family program, first and foremost, as an opportunity for
cultural exchange. It would be contrary to the mission of our homestay
program to force the relationship between student and host family. We try
to maintain an open and fair policy in the event that a student or a host
family is unhappy. The Student Services Coordinator is here to offer
guidance and assistance, as well as to help solve problems and answer any
questions that may arise. However, there may inevitably be occasions in
which the best solution may be for the student to relocate to a new host
family. Although this is a rare occurrence, we ask that host families to try
to remain as understanding as possible and, more importantly, not to take
such changes personally.

A student may request to change his/her host family for any number of
reasons. Very often these reasons are quite clear and easily explained, such
as allergies to house pets, an untidy home, or distance between the host
family and the school. Other times, however, a student may have difficulty
expressing in words his/her reasons for wanting to change to a new host

19
family. Keep in mind that it is highly unlikely that every student
placement will be a perfect match. Whatever the case, LSI holds very
strongly to the belief that it is simply not right for a student to stay in a
home where he/she is uncomfortable for any reason. We expect that our
hosts will share this philosophy. A caring and understanding host family
will not want an unhappy guest to stay in their home. Also, please
remember that we view the hosting experience as an exchange program for
both the student and the family, and we, therefore, extend this same right
to our host families. In the event that a student is moved from your home,
we will do our best to find another student to fill that place as soon as
possible. Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee an immediate
replacement. Should there be any serious concerns raised by a student, the
Student Services Coordinator will consult with the student’s host family
and, if necessary, schedule an appointment to meet with the family before
placing another student in the home. LSI reserves the right to terminate
the relationship with a host family at any time.

RECUPERATION OF OVERPAYMENT TO HOST FAMILIES

In order to avoid any problems with overpayment to the host families, LSI does
not issue reimbursement until the second week of a student's stay in your home.
Normally, if a student is not satisfied with his/her accommodation, he/she will
request a change during the first week of stay. This system usually allows LSI to
make the necessary adjustments before payment is issued to the host family. If a
student moves after payment has been made to the family, and the family receives
another student within 45 days, the amount overpaid will simply be deducted
from the family’s next check. On the other hand, if the family does not receive
another student placement within 45 days or if the Student Services Coordinator
indicates that the family will no longer be working with LSI, the Accounting
Department will send a notice requesting repayment of this extra money. Please
be advised that repayment will be due within ten days of receipt of this notice.

EXTENSION OF STUDENT'S STAY

Please keep in mind that the English program at LSI functions on a year
round basis, and, therefore, we are constantly in need of host families for
our students. We reserve our host families solely for students who are
actively studying in our program. A student may extend his/her stay in a
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host family placement only when he/she is also extending in the scholastic
program at LSI. While we are thrilled when host families develop a special
relationship with a particular student, we ask that hosts be as
understanding as possible in regard to this policy. Should a student
mention staying in your home past the originally scheduled dates, please
advise him/her to consult with the Student Services Coordinator before
making any plans.

EVALUATIONS
For your information, all students are asked to complete a monthly
evaluation on his/her overall program at LSI San Diego, including a detailed
evaluative section on LSI's accommodation program. We will keep a copy
of each student's comments in his/her respective host’s file. In order to
provide feedback to our hosts, the Student Services Coordinator will
periodically mail copies of the students' evaluations to all active host
families. This will keep our hosts advised on how students are adjusting to
life in their home and, of course, make our hosts aware of any problems
students are experiencing in the homestay.
*Out of respect for our students’ best interests, we will not mail these evaluations until
the students have left the homestay.

Please remember that you should not take any constructive criticism too
personally. Given the greatly varied backgrounds of our students, different
students will have different expectations of their stay with an American
family. The evaluation also helps hosts make any necessary adjustments in
the event that a particular grievance appears regularly on their evaluations.
The purpose of mailing evaluations is to help our hosts grow as a host
family and to ensure that LSI has the highest quality program possible, not
to hurt your feelings. Should there be any serious concerns raised by a
student, the Student Services Coordinator will consult the host family. If
necessary, the Student Services Coordinator will make another visit to the
hosts before placing any subsequent students in the home.

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In addition, the Student Services Coordinator will conduct an annual visit
to all host families to discuss student evaluations, to answer any questions
the family may have, and generally, to ensure that the conditions in the
home still meet the standards required by LSI.

CULTURAL AWARENESS
Among the many reasons students choose to stay with a host family, the
opportunity to experience American culture first-hand is undoubtedly the
most compelling. While students are eager to have an additional
opportunity to practice English and to live in a safe, secure environment
while overseas, the host family accommodation is also a “cultural
classroom” for the international student. In addition to heightening the
cultural awareness of the international student, the host family program at
LSI also serves as a learning experience for the American families that make
up our program. Hosting an international student can be an eye-opening
experience, providing exposure to people and places many of our hosts may
never have the opportunity to visit first-hand. The following quotes were
taken from the “Host Family Survival Kit” and demonstrate how both the
host family and the international student can learn equally from the
homestay experience:

"Whenever you work together to reach a new understanding about some

cultural difference, a mispronounced word, some confusing behavior or a
shocking new experience, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment. This is not
accomplishment for having solved a particular problem, but an
accomplishment in terms of helping the relationship go one step deeper."
p. 19

"They had become more attuned to world issues, more mindful of their
own enculturation, more cognizant of how people tend to "see" events from
their own cultural perspective and more sensitive to the idea that each
culture's way of life is equally valid." p. 36

Ideally, we hope that hosts who join our program will benefit and grow
from this experience, just as the students who stay in their home will.

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HEALTH/ WELL BEING
If a student needs a dentist or a doctor, you may wish to refer them to your
family doctor. Otherwise, LSI recommends the following walk-in clinic for
international students:
Sharpe Rees-Stealy Medical Group Marcos Ortega, D.D.S.
2001 Fourth Avenue 306 Walnut Ave. #25
San Diego CA 92101 San Diego CA 92103

Phone: (619) 234-6261 Phone: (619) 295-4545

Please remind the student that he/she will have to pay for this treatment.
Occasionally, you may have to suggest a visit to the doctor; a student may
be holding back out of shyness. In this case, it would be very helpful to
accompany the student. If medicine is prescribed, make sure the dosage
instructions are understood. Also, indicate the location of first aid supplies
in your home for any minor problems.

*A conscientious host will try to ensure that a student’s health and studies
are not suffering because of too many late nights. Students should always
inform their host family if they are going away overnight or for the
weekend. If you are worried or have questions about a student, do not
hesitate to contact the school.

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
LSI requires that all families be within 30 minutes commuting
distance of Downtown by public transportation. Hosts should
help students find the quickest and easiest route to school and
town. This is also helpful to the host family in terms of
consistent student placements, since a student might
otherwise request accommodation closer to the school. If bus
and/or trolley transportation to your house is infrequent at
night, try to make arrangements to assist students in getting
home. If your student will be in San Diego for at least one
month, you should advise them to purchase a monthly transit
pass. This can be purchased at The Transit Store, located at the
corner of Broadway and First Avenue downtown.

For additional information on public transportation in San Diego ,

you may call the following number:

MTS Information
(619) 233-3004 or 1-800-COMMUTE

TAXI/ SHUTTLE SERVICE

If your student has not arranged for transfer service through the school,
he/she may need some assistance finding transportation to Lindbergh Field
on his/her departure. For shuttle service from your home to the airport,
you can refer students to the following shuttle and/or taxi service:

Cloud 9 Shuttle
(619) 278-8877

Bus/Train Service
(800) 974-8885

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Yellow Cab Company
(619) 234-6161

Coronado Livery
(619) 435-6310

In addition to visiting the sights in San Diego, many students will plan
weekend excursions to Los Angeles and other areas of interest during their
time in the States. For travel by bus and train from San Diego, you can refer
students to the following companies:

Greyhound Bus
120 West Broadway
San Diego CA 92101
1-800-231-2222

AMTRAK
1-800-368-8725

VISITOR INFORMATION
For helpful visitor information to pass on to students regarding San Diego
and the surrounding area, you may refer to the following agencies:

San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau

401 B Street
(619) 232-3101

Travelers Aid Society

1765 Fourth Avenue, Suite 100
(619) 232-7991

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 SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Eddy, Robert. Reflections on Multiculturalism. Yarmouth, ME:

Intercultural Press, 1996.

2. Furnham, Adrian, and Stephen Bochner. Culture Shock. New York, NY:
Routledge, Chapman and Hall, 1986.

3. Hansel, Bettina. The Exchange Student Survival Kit. Yarmouth, ME:

Intercultural Press, 1993.

4. Hess, J. Daniel. The Whole World Guide to Culture Learning. Yarmouth,

ME: Intercultural Press, 1994.

5. Huff, Ken and King, Nancy. Host Family Survival Kit. Yarmouth, ME:
Intercultural Press, 1985.

6. Hull, W. Frank III. Foreign Students in the United States of America. New
York, NY: Praeger, 1978.

7. Stewart, Edward C. and Milton J. Bennett. American Cultural Patterns.

Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1991.

8. Storti, Craig. Figuring Foreigners Out. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural

Press, 1999.

9. Storti, Craig. The Art of Crossing Cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural

Press, 1990.

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