As you read the answers to the questions that most people ask, keep in mind that Nacel Open Door never abandons you with these students... you always have help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The questions we hear most from prospective host families are outlined below, but if these still don’t answer your questions, keep in mind that the host family application is not a commitment to host, you can speak with your local representative about your reservations. Only when you select a student, do we ask that you make every effort to honor that agreement so that our student’s feel secure in their upcoming visit.

• I'm worried about being responsible for someone else's child.
• What about the cost? Does it cost anything?
• What about liability for this child?
• I'm not sure I'm up to a guest for so long!

It's normal to have reservations when you are about to take a big step. We understand. But let's consider the answer to your concerns. First, you are not alone. Nacel Open Door is the sponsor of the student and as such is responsible for the student. We ask that you provide room and board and loving parental guidance, and if needed, we are there to assist. But we aren’t only in contact with you if something goes wrong, your local representative will have monthly contact with you and the student to make sure that everything is going well and to answer any questions/concerns.

Next, our students come with their own spending money and medical insurance. In addition, they are also covered by a limited liability insurance policy sponsored by Nacel Open Door. Students are provided money from home for their own personal use, including school lunches. You are expected to provide room and board for the student.

But most importantly, a successful experience develops when you realize that these students are not guests, but instead become family members.

Hosting a Nacel Open Door Student can be a REWARDING EXPERIENCE and it's a lot easier than you might think.

How long do the students stay?

We have several different programs, some as short as two weeks in group formats, but the majority of our students will stay between 5 months and 10 months. A few of our students come to the U.S. on a "full year" program, arriving in January and staying through December. YOU CAN CHOOSE which program that you want to be involved in.

Does It Cost Anything to Host a Student?

You don't pay us anything, however you will have the expense of food and shelter, just as you would for your own teenager.

Technically, you are responsible for room and board so that the student is provided a place to sleep and food to eat. You are NOT responsible for Medical, School or other incidental expenses. Nor are you responsible for the student’s school lunches, they will have money to pay for this expense.

For us to say that this will not cost you would not be a fair statement, but what we can say is that the rewards far outweigh the costs.

Do I get paid to Host a Student?

NO, most of our programs do not pay you anything to host. There are some exceptions where the hosts are involved in tutoring programs, but overall Nacel Open Door does not pay hosts. The U.S. government currently offers a tax deduction of $50 per month for your participation in the program.

If you count what the experience is worth, you are compensated in terms that are more important than money. An extension of your own family and allows you to visit a foreign culture without leaving your home!

Can just anyone host?

People often don't understand that we are searching for AVERAGE, EVERYDAY people who would be willing to participate in this program. You don't have to be wealthy! You don't have to have a huge house. What we are searching for is families which offer a safe and stable home environment, are willing to participate, able to provide a home and who has a strong desire to be a part of something important. We are changing the world and making friendships one student at a time.

Yes, there are qualifications. No criminal record. A home with room for a student, the ability to host and participate in the program and good references are the basics. People who receive governmental support may not host. Fill out the Online Application and let’s discuss if this program is right for your family.

Can Single People Host Exchange Students?

Yes! Our host families come in all shapes and sizes. It's important that you feel that you are able to include another person in your household without feeling a financial burden, and most importantly that you are willing to be a caring, supportive parent to your student.

Because we present our program as a family-based program, we do allow our students and their natural families to have a say in determining if they would agree to live with a single person. As such, not all students will choose to accept a single person placement, but those that do come with the understanding and commitment to this type of living arrangement.

What we are looking for is documentation that we can provide the student and their family to show them that a placement with a single person will be a positive experience. Who will take care of the student? How will they interact with teenagers? What opportunities are being provided to the student to afford them a good experience? These are the questions that they and their families will want to know.

What do the Host Families provide?

Families provide room, board and most importantly, a loving and receptive family atmosphere. The student will be responsible for his or her own spending money for clothes, entertainment and souvenirs.

Each student must have his/her own bed. However they can share a room with a same sex teenager.

We fully expect the student to participate in the family. Chores and family responsibilities are as much a part of the American culture as anything else.  

What type of home do I have to have?

A SAFE HOME! Because these students are traveling so far and at such an expense, we'd like to place them with families that have site built homes. However, we know that isn't always available and we're open minded provided that your home is clean and well cared for with adequate room for the student. A quiet study place is required. And of course, the student must have their own bed.

It's okay for the student to share a room with another teenager of the same sex but we'd like there to be no more than a 3 year difference in age.

What kind of Background Investigation do you do on me?

ALL HOST FAMILIES are screened and every person over the age of 18 who lives in the home must sign a Permission to Background Check form! Every person over the age of 18 years old and who lives in the home must have a background form signed. This includes children who are off to college but will be spending several weeks home from school over the course of the student’s stay.

We then run your name through a national database in search of any criminal convictions and pending charges. A positive hit may not always exclude you from hosting, but we would ask for more information so that we can present your special circumstances to the student's family and our selection committee.

Any crime that involves violence, or is sex related prohibits you from hosting. Student Safety is very important.

How is the program funded?

The Students and their families pay for all fees and airfares necessary to participate in the program. Some of our students are provided funds by way of a scholarship set up by a private foundation. Nacel Open Door is a not-for-profit organization.

FLEX and other GRANT students are funded differently than our AYP students in that they have a scholarship award.

Are these students up for adoption?

NO, these students have families that love and care for them. When their exchange experience is up, usually in 5 to 10 months, they will return home to their own families.

Are these Students Insured?

YES! Our Students are fully covered by health and accident insurance. In addition, Nacel Open Door is insured, per Department of State guidelines, and is ultimately responsible for the students while they are in the United States.

What kind of young people participate in this program?

The best kind! Students are screened and chosen for their maturity, academic achievement, adaptability, and English Skills. They are eager, young people who are interested in learning as much as they can about the United States. Many of them are the future leaders of their own countries.

How will we communicate? Do they speak English?

All Students are required to speak English. Many of them have studied English for several years; however there will be some slang and Area concepts of the language that you as the host family will help them on. Please keep in mind that during your initial phone conversation, there may be some language gaps mostly due to the excitement and anxiety of your first contact. LIKEWISE, you might learn a little something about their language as well.

We have small Children in our home. Can we host an Exchange Student?

Absolutely! We have many students who love children, many leaving younger siblings behind, and would relish a placement in a home with small children. Your Local Representative will help you select the right type of student for your household.

Do the Exchange Students get to DRIVE?

NO! We don't allow an exchange student to drive a vehicle while they are in the United States except through an approved drivers education program at school. Driving, even 50 feet, is a VERY serious offense and will result in the student being sent home. If your student is interested in learning to drive, please contact your Local Representative to discuss driving school requirements.

I hate to ask... but what about Smoking and Drugs?

While on our programs, students are prohibited from smoking if they are 18 years or older.

Nacel Open Door has a ZERO TOLERANCE for drugs and any student caught with drugs will be terminated from the program and sent home. We expect our students to be models of good behavior and have a strict code of conduct that every student must sign to participate.

What if we have problems? What do we do then?

That is why every host family has a Local Representative... to help with any problem that comes up!

Three key factors determine whether or not you have a positive experience:

1. Student screening. Nacel Open Door and our foreign partners go to great lengths to accept only students who we believe will be positive role models, are emotionally equipped to participate in our program, are good students and well behaved.
   
   
2. Your Local Representative. Nacel Open Door contracts with people whom we believe will work with us to establish a quality program in your area. We pay them well for the work that they do and we train them to do the job with online training, annual conferences and ongoing support. Your Local Representative will work with you to select a student who best matches your family dynamics. During the course of the program, even in the best of situations, it is nice to know that you have someone to offer support and guidance.
   
   
3. Regional and National Support. Nacel Open Door has a full-time staff in the National Office who works in partnership with full-time Regional Coordinators. This team is in place to support your Local Representative and you. If you aren’t getting the support you need from your Local Representative, you both have someone to turn to. You will never be abandoned.

You or the Student can call your Local Representative to work through any situation. In addition to being available when you need, your Local Representative will stay in contact with both the host family and the exchange student on a monthly basis to ensure that things are going well for both of you, answer any lingering questions and to help prevent small problems from turning into big problems. When necessary, if the situation is not working out with your family, we will move the student to another host family.

How does the Student get money?

Money is sent from home by the parents. A debit card works very well because the parents can put money into an account in their own country and the student can withdraw money from any place that accepts the Visa/Mastercard debit cards. Another way is that the parents will send an international money order to the student. Also, some schools offer lunch cards that can be purchased or funded at the start of a school year, students may wish to take advantage of these programs.

We don't allow joint accounts between host families and students in an effort to avoid any potential problems. During your family and student orientation at the start of the program, your Local Representative will walk through some generic financial questions to help set expectations. However, if you or your student has any further questions, or issues arise, your Local Representative will be available to work with you.

What about Long Distance Phone Bills?

The student is required to have a phone card so that he/she doesn't run up your telephone bill calling home. That also allows the parents to help manage the phone expense. Again, if your experience any issues with phone usage, do not hesitate to contact your Local Representative.

We have plenty of room in our home. Can we host TWO students?

Yes! Many of our families decide to host two students at a time. Each student must have their own bed, and the students must not be from the same country or speak the same language.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State requires that we obtain permission for a "Double Placement" from the foreign partners.

We're thinking about taking a trip. Can the Student Travel?

Students are allowed to travel with the Host families under Nacel Open Door travel guidelines. Basically, the Student can go anywhere in the Continental United States with the Host Family. If you're going to be gone for several days, we ask that you notify your Local Representative in case of an emergency. As stated earlier, Nacel Open Door is ultimately responsible for the student while participating in the program and therefore we must know where they are.

Students can also take "certain" school and Church sponsored field trips with approval of your Local Representative. Normally, the students may not travel alone. During your orientation, as well as on an as needed basis, your Local Representative will review Nacel Open Door travel policies and procedures.

Can the Student have a job?

NO. The student is not authorized to work in the United States. However, he/she can mow grass or baby sit to earn extra money..

Our Family attends Church. Will the Student go with us?

Not necessarily. Each student is asked what religion they participate in, if they require access to services for their specific religion and, if different from their own, would they be willing to attend religious services of their host family. Many say that they are willing to attend their host family’s church; if this is an important need of yours, please work with your Local Representative to select a student that best meets this need.

Attempting to convert a student to your religion would be inappropriate and would go against the U.S. Department of State regulations. However, many students report that they have enjoyed having the opportunity to examine and explore the concept of a new religion without fear of persecution and having the ability to make their own personal decisions.

Do the Students get to go on any trips?

They will be offered an opportunity to participate in some sponsored trips while they are in America. Host siblings over the age of 13, may be invited to participate as well. It is important that Nacel Open Door travel guidelines are always adhered to when traveling.

In addition, Local representatives may also host parties locally to get students and families together.

How do we select the right student for our family?

Your Local Representative will help you select a student that matches your family based upon what you tell us your interests are. When you apply to host, we will provide you a password to give you access to the student profiles and you can look at students yourself in preparation for our meeting to talk about which student might be best for your family.

Do you have programs so that MY CHILD can travel abroad?

YES. Our OUTBOUND PROGRAM offers American students the ability to travel abroad and live with host families for short-term and Academic School Year Programs.

While there are scholarships available for many of the programs, we have a special program called the Congress-Bundestag Vocational Youth Exchange Program. This unique program, funded by the United States Congress and the German Bundestag, allows graduating high school seniors to spend a year in Germany living with a host family, participating in a training or school program, and most importantly, getting hands-on work experience through an internship with a German company. Participants have been placed in fields as diverse as the arts, architecture, auto mechanics, carpentry, child care, computers, culinary arts, early education, health care, hotel management, international affairs, journalism, and veterinary science, to name a few for up to 20 students to go to Germany on a full scholarship after they have graduated. Get more details about this by asking your Local Representative.

How do we get started?

Fill out the Online Application to get started. Once your initial application is received, a Local Representative contact you to set up an appointment to meet. In the mean time, we'll give you the password to look at student profiles.