Host Family Information
What it Means to be a Host Family
Our host families provide international students with a window through which to view and understand American life and culture. Students are expected to act as a member of your family, participating in your family’s daily activities, chores, meals and conversations. At the same time, our students share their culture and values with their American families. Students are encouraged to bring pictures of their home country, cook their favorite meals for their host family, and share holiday celebrations and traditions from their home country.
Homestay families will be compensated to help offset the additional expenses related to hosting an international student. The International Student Program Coordinator can provide more information on the rates and process.
Rockford Lutheran School is seeking host families for its International Student Program. Learn about the stipend program. By opening your heart and home to a student from another country you will share in the delight of cultural exchange and mutual goodwill. If you are interested please contact the International Student Program Coordinator at the JSHS campus main office 815-877-9551. Open your door to a Rockford Lutheran School international student and bring the world to your doorstep.
Experience Another Culture Without Leaving Home
For many families it is very difficult to arrange and pay for international vacations. By hosting an international student, you can bring a foreign culture directly into your own home and provide your family with a lasting international experience.
Our host families develop strong relationships with our international students that carry on throughout the years. Many families end up taking trips overseas to visit their students and meet their families as others continue to be the “home away from home” for those students that continue their college education in America. Students return to visit during holidays and continue to be a big part of their host families’ lives.
We want our Rockford Lutheran families to take advantage of this opportunity to expose their own children to the world and to show the love of Christ to these kids. Our international students come from all over the world. We have been blessed to host students from: Italy, France, Germany, Spain, China, South Korea, Brazil, Sweden, Thailand, and Japan. We are always looking to bring a diverse group of students to our school.
Since 1980, Rockford Lutheran School has partnered in the International Student Program. A successful program relies on a number of strong participants. It has been observed that the visiting students are mature, versatile and have a genuine interest to live and learn in a new country. A host family will find this experience to be mutually beneficial. International students traditionally arrive in August and return to their country in May. Host families can accept one or two international students per school year.
The Host Family Will Provide
- Nurturing and friendly environment
- Meals
- Suitable lodging and study space
- Transportation
- Communication of house rules
The Exchange Student Will Provide
- Personal spending money
- Own tuition
- Respect for the house rules
- Medical Insurance
- Desire to intermingle with the host family
For more information on becoming an International Student’s Host Family, please contact our International Program Coordinator or email the Admissions Office at admissions@rockfordlutheran.org .
We look forward to hearing from you!