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Is Homestay the Right Choice for Me?
Read carefully before completing the homestay application below.


The Agape Homestay Program has been designed to provide international students the opportunity to make friends, learn about American culture and provide opportunities to practice English outside of class.  There are many benefits to staying with an American family; however, some students are not prepared for all aspects of living with another family.  This article will give you more details about what a student can expect in the Agape Homestay program.  This will help you decide whether or not it is the right choice for you.

The keys to a successful homestay experience are understanding and flexibility.  While you or your parents may have decided that a homestay is the best housing option, a homestay is really more than just a place to stay during your English studies.  A homestay requires that you share living space, the telephone, and transportation with other persons; therefore, you will have to respect the rights and needs of others as well.  There will also be certain rules that you will have to obey.  If you require considerable privacy and the ability to come and go at any time, a homestay may not be as suitable as living in an apartment or other kinds of housing.

Another important thing to realize is that both the families and houses in the Agape Homestay program come in different sizes and shapes.  Your homestay accommodations will vary depending upon the homestay family.  Most students will be in houses, but others may be in apartments, condominiums, or mobile homes.  In each case, the family or host will provide comfortable accommodations.  In addition, you may be in a homestay with a married couple with or without children, a single parent with children, a retired couple whose children are grown, or a single person.  You can feel comfortable knowing that your homestay family or host is there to help you when you need it. 

Even though Agape is located in the city center, many American families live outside the city.  All homes in the Agape Homestay program are located in safe and respectable neighborhoods.  The travel time from your homestay to Agape is usually 20-30 minutes each way.  Unfortunately, there is very little public transportation in Columbia and Greenville.  Transportation to and from school will be provided by the host family (extra $270 fee for each 9-week session).  Transportation for shopping or for other reasons is at the discretion of the family.  If you are used to being independent, it may be difficult for you to depend on someone else to provide transportation for you. 

Making the decision to choose a homestay is like signing a lease for an apartment.  You will be making a commitment to stay with your family for at least one session.  Unless there is a major problem or emergency, you will be expected to stay in your assigned homestay until the end of your first session (usually 9 weeks).  There is no homestay refund available after the end of the 3rd week or 30% of your session.

Remember, the quickest way to learn English is to use it everyday!  Living with an American family gives you the best opportunity to practice the English you are learning in the classroom.  If you have any questions or concerns about the Agape Homestay Program, please contact the Admissions office at info@aeliusa.com. 

Homestay Application Form

If you would like to stay in the home of an American family during your studies at Agape, please complete this online form and submit it to Agape prior to your arrival in the United States. Please also send $100 homestay application fee (non refundable) (in bank draft, money order, or wire transfer) to:

Agape English Language Institute
Post Office Box 12504
Columbia, South Carolina 29211-2504
USA

1. Location of program
This homestay application is for Agape English Language Institute's program at:
(Please choose one)		 Columbia
Greenville
   (Cost:$600 per 4 weeks; $1000 per 8 weeks; $1100 per 9 weeks)

2. Personal Information

Family Name:  
Given Name:  
Other Name:  
Address (Line 1):
Address (Line 2):
City:  
State/Province:  
Country:  
Zip/Postal Code:  
Phone:  
Fax Number:  
E-mail (Required):  
Date of Birth:   mm/dd/yy
Country of Birth:  
Country of Citizenship:  
3. Emergency Contact
Person to contact in case of an emergency.
Name:  
Address (Line 1):
Address (Line 2):
City:
State/Province:  
Zip/Postal Code:  
Business Phone:  
Home Number:  
Relationship to You:  

4. Personal History
Please answer the following questions. NOTE: All information is confidential.

Do you have any health conditions or allergies? Yes  No

If Yes, please explain.
Do you smoke, use alcohol or narcotics? Yes  No
Have you ever been seen by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or professional counselor? Yes  No

If Yes, please explain and ask your counselor to send a letter to the Director of Agape describing the nature of your situation and his/her recommendation regarding your ability to live with a family in the U.S.A.
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense? Yes  No

If Yes, please explain.
Are there any foods you cannot eat? Yes  No

If Yes, please explain.

Please list your hobbies and interests:
What are your expectations of an American host family?
5. Rules for Students Living with American Families
 

Your Responsibilities

  • You may arrive the week before your English program begins, and must leave the host family the Saturday after the program ends unless prior approval is given by both the host family and the Director of Agape.
  • Students living in an American home must follow family rules. Each family will have different rules. Improper behavior toward your host family will not be tolerated.
  • Students must respect the host family's property. Students who damage the host family's property must pay for the damages.
  • Cigarette smoking (inside the house), alcoholic beverages, and/or illegal drugs are not allowed at any time.
  • The student is responsible for any long distance telephone calls. You should call collect or use a private calling card. If this is not possible, your family may require a deposit for use of their phone for long distance calls. Please note that use of the telephone is at the discretion of the family.

NOTE: Violation of any of the above rules will result in the student's removal from the host family without a refund (in severe cases), or in a verbal or written warning. Continued improper behavior by a student on warning will result in expulsion from the homestay and Agape without a refund.

Other Guidelines

Transportation for shopping or for other reasons is at the discretion of the family. Please notify the director of Agape if you are having difficulty locating transportation for necessary local travel.

Your host family is not responsible for providing your personal items (e.g., tissue paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries).

You are responsible for keeping your room neat, and for helping keep the house neat when you use an area other than your room.

Visitors are allowed only at the discretion of the family.

Please let your family know your plans when you are not at home. Please do not disturb them when you come in late.

The Host Family's Responsibilities

Your host family will provide breakfast and dinner on class days, and lunch on days when there is no class. You should buy a lunch ticket at the college on class days, or make other arrangements for your own lunch.

Your host family will do the general house cleaning.

NOTE: Agape understands that the American way of life may be different from yours. Please make an effort to discuss things with your host family. Agape host families care about their students. Please try to accept their invitations to participate in family life.

 
I have read the above rules and understand them. I agree to abide by these rules.

I agree  I do not agree

6. Submit Application!


Please press only once and be patient! Thanks!

 


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