Although many students come from countries with an
official religion or, at least, a very high membership in
one denomination, it may be that the people do not
actively practice their religion much. Furthermore, few
students will be familiar with the social role that religion
plays in America. The religious community can be an
important gathering point for social activities as well as
spiritual ones.
••Since America is so liberal, I will not have to follow
any rules. Many YFU college students will be at a stage
in their lives where they are balancing their desire to be
independent and their need for a structured, nurturing
home life.
In some cases, American homes are stricter than the
students’ own homes. Some students may not have
had curfews in their homes. Many will come from
cultures where social life begins at 10 o’clock at night
instead of ending at that hour as it might in some U.S.
communities. Other students may find host family rules
more liberal. Students should discuss rules with their
host family.
Preparing Host Families for the Exchange: PreArrival Orientation
Before international students arrive in the United States,
host families attend an orientation at the community college
conducted by the Campus Coordinator. This orientation
helps host families set realistic expectations, understand
YFU policies and procedures, and explore the issues
of emerging young adults. It provides families with an
opportunity to have questions answered.
During the orientation, host families learn more about family
systems and the impact of having a new family member.
Families are also asked to consider the behaviors and
attitudes that are typical of the students’ stage of life and
how to distinguish them from culturally rooted behaviors
and attitudes. The purpose of YFU orientations is to prepare
host parents and host siblings (if there are any) to accept a
new person into their family and to make them aware of the
challenges it will bring. YFU aims to provide families with
a network of families who share a common interest in the
global community.
General topics presented at the Host Family Pre-Arrival
Orientation include:
••You and YFU. How to be a successful YFU host family;
hosting an international exchange student; program
policies and procedures; program support structure—
roles and responsibilities; etc.
••Culture and Adaptation. What culture is;
understanding ourselves as products of our culture; the
process of adaptation and adjustment.
Additional Support Materials
In addition to a Pre-Arrival Orientation, YFU host families
receive the following materials to help them prepare for
their exchange experience before their students arrive in the
USA.
••Community College Program Handbook. This
handbook.
••Student Profiles. This profile provides the host
family with a brief biographical sketch of their
student. A description of the student’s academic and
extracurricular interests and intended career path is
also included.
Some Bac