Student:
1. How can I be sure that I will have a good homestay
experience?
2. What is the application deadline?
3. When do I receive my homestay placement information?
4. How should I pay the homestay fees?
5. Who will cook my meals?
6. How far are host families located from my school?
7. Will I have computer access or internet access
at my homestay?
8. What do I need to do if I would like to end
my homestay and move out from the host family?
9. Do you offer homestays to families?
Family:
1. How do we become an OvECS Host Family?
2. Are we good candidates for hosting?
3. Will we be compensated for hosting?
4. Will our student speak good English?
5. How will our student get around?
6. What kind of support will our family and student
receive from OvECS?
7. What if our student needs medical attention?
STUDENT
How can I be sure that I will have a good
homestay experience?
You should be open to new experiences. The
US culture, customs, people, homes and cities are very different
than your hometown. This is a great opportunity for you to learn
about American culture. You will experience American style of
living with an American host. If you have any problems while
staying with your family, we are always available to help you.
If you do not get along with your family at all, we will change
your host family without any charge (1 time only). Please feel
free to contact us by phone or e-mail.
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What is the application deadline?
We prefer to receive your application at least
30 days before your arrival. Although you may submit an application
less than 7 days in advance, you may not be placed due to
difficulty in locating an appropriate host family. Early
applications are recommended.
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When do I receive my homestay placement information?
As soon as your placement is confirmed, we will
send your host family information by e-mail or postal mail at
least three (3) days before your arrival.
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How should I pay the homestay fees?
You will pay OvECS Ltd. for the placement and
processing fees (1 time charge only). You will then pay the
host family for each 4 weeks you stay in their home.
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Who will cook my meals?
You will have a self-served continental breakfast
(juice, cereal, toast, coffee/tea) in the morning. In the evening,
you will have a prepared dinner with the family.
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How far are host families located from
my school?
It may vary by location and your placement. Some of our host families are located within walking or biking distance from your school. Although every effort is made, there is no guarantee that you will be placed in walking or biking distance. Some of our students may be required to take a bus or train ride to get to their school, and may take up to even one hour.
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Will I have computer access or internet
access at my homestay?
Although some homes have both computer and
internet access that you can use, it is not guaranteed. Most of our host families will allow you to bring your laptop computer and use their internet access.
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What do I need to do if I would like to end
my homestay and move out from the host family?
You will need to let the family know at least 4 weeks before
you expect to move. You will be responsible for the next four
4 weeks (2 weeks in San Diego) of rent, even if you do not
stay with the family, if proper notification is not given.
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Do you offer homestays to families?
Although we specialize in private rooms for
individuals, we can offer comfortable homestays to families
based on availability. Please contact our office for specific
details.
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FAMILY
How do we become an OvECS Host Family?
Once we receive your application, we will conduct
an interview with your family members and complete a reference
check. We will attempt to make the best family/student match,
and introduce our student(s) profile(s) to your family. If you
agree to take her or him, we will inform you of the student's
arrival information.
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Are we good candidates for hosting?
Whether you are a married couple with children
at home, a single-parent, an empty nester, or a grandparent,
as long as you have some interests and extra bedroom, that's
all you need! Somewhere in the world there is a student waiting
to be matched with a family just like yours!
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Will we be compensated for hosting?
Yes. A great portion of the rent will be your
compensation for hosting our students. Please contact us
for details.
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Will our student speak good English?
Some students will be almost fluent, while others
may have a stronger accent and use smaller words, depending
on how many years they have been studying English. Immersed
in school, your student's fluency will improve, oftentimes quickly
and dramatically.
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How will our student get around?
We realize that families are very busy with
work responsibilities and extracurricular activities. Some students
will have cars and they often will purchase bicycles. They will
need to take public buses whenever available. Your family will
not be responsible for taking students to schools and picking
up.
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What kind of support will our family and
student receive from OvECS?
A professionally trained local homestay coordinator
will be assigned to work with your family and student for
their entire stay. The coordinator will stay in touch with
you and your student, offering advice and support whenever
needed. The coordinator will be supervised by the head office
on a daily basis. Please feel free to contact your local
coordinator or the head office.
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What if our student needs medical attention?
All international students are required to purchase
health insurance that will cover any expenses by the school,
if they should require a visit to the doctor.
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