Host an International Student: A Guide for Hosts
Our students are 17 years or older. Many are already pursuing careers or a higher university degree. Others want to improve their English to attend university in the U.S. Students come from all around the world and from a wide variety of backgrounds with diverse ethnic and religious beliefs. Students enrolled in the Intensive English Program sometimes need to prepare for university studies in the US and need to improve their English skills. Some need to learn English for business purposes, or perhaps they are just here for the experience of living and studying English in the US.
Students enroll in the intensive program for 21 hours a week, Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2:30 pm, 9 am to 12 on Fridays. (There are no classes on Friday afternoons). Some students like to spend the afternoons with new friends exploring the town, while others tend to go home and study.
Hosts provide a private room with a desk or table and a good light for studying, a good chair and dresser and most of all, a warm and friendly environment.
Every two weeks, host families receive a direct-deposit stipend:
- $150 per week for a room without meals
- $250 per week for a room with meals
A room with meals includes breakfast and lunch (which are usually light meals that the students can prepare themselves) and dinner (usually with the host and/or family). A room without meals means the student has access to the kitchen to prepare their own meals Host an International Student and to store their own food. Our prime concern is to make our students’ experience in the US enjoyable and memorable.
We would like students to be treated as a member of the family and be included in activities when appropriate. Participating hosts find hosting international students to be a rewarding and enlightening experience.
ILI’s role in the home-stay is to match students with their hosts in order to ensure a successful home-stay. During the first week of the program we conduct a student orientation meeting about living abroad and with hosts. Students also receive a handbook with further guidelines. The Housing Coordinator is available to you and the students to answer questions or solve problems. We also encourage ongoing feedback from the host and the students and offer support as needed.
All students must show proof of COVID vaccinations. ILI follows Northampton Public Schools for masking policies. You can see the full COVID Policy Form that students are required to complete here.
We invite hosts to participate in as many school activities as you are able to, particularly in our annual picnic at Look Park.
To become a host please fill out this form
Housing Coordinator Amy Ben-Ezra will be in touch to make an appointment to meet with you, see where the student will stay, and answer questions about the program.