Host a Student

In Europe, Christianity is on the decline, with more and more people identifying as atheists. In many areas of Asia, it is unsafe to be a Christian. People practice underground or simply have never been introduced to our loving God. The rest of the world varies greatly depending on the specific country. What an amazing mission field! To share the light in our hearts with the world. It is our prayer that the students return to their home country to boldly share the light of Christ with their family and friends.

To help encourage international students to learn about Christ and develop a spiritual life has been such a blessing both for the international students and for our student body. Over the last few years, we have had international student baptisms. We watched our domestic students grow in their spiritual life as they talked about Christ with an international student. Eyes are opened as stories are shared from both cultures in the classroom. Cultural appreciation, understanding, and empathy have grown in our student body.

Many say hosting an international student is one of the best experiences they have had as a family. In life, you often have many individual experiences. There are very few opportunities to experience something together as a family.

• Initially, the hosted student will have fun bettering their English while responding to their new surroundings. Lots of laughter is sure to follow as they discover differences between the USA and their home country.
• Your eyes might be opened, too, as you realize that things that are common to you are not common in other areas of the world. It is fascinating to learn about your students’ culture and language through conversations, cooking together, church, holidays, and simply doing life together as a family.
• As the year progresses, the relationship with your student will deepen. Your family will draw close to this new family member after sharing many experiences together.
• A sad and joyful goodbye will come very quickly when your student packs to return to their home country. Many families keep in touch with their host students by visiting their home country, inviting them back to the USA for a holiday or wedding, or through letters.

Having an international student in your home is a lot like adopting a teenage son or daughter overseas for a short period of time. The student will follow your house rules, help with chores, and are eager to be involved in your family activities. The student is looking to be part of your family and not expecting to be treated any differently.

Once you decide to host a student, this is what you can expect.

• You identify specific characteristics in the student that you would like such as gender or nationality.  We work to match students with families that have similar personality traits and hobbies.
• We will confirm that you are able to provide the student meals, transportation, a private bedroom (or a shared bedroom with someone of the same sex and close in age), and that you are 25 years or older.
• A home visit will be scheduled to ensure your family and home are a good fit. 
• We will provide student profiles with their pictures, names, and interests.  You can select the student(s) you would like to host.   All the students presented to you will have been pre-vetted by their agency and LCL to ensure they have good academic standing, fine character, and proven ability to get along with others.
• Mr. Seth Bahr will work with the student’s agency to enroll the student at LCL, secure their visa, obtain their medical insurance, and schedule their arrival dates.  Mr. Seth Bahr can pick them up from the airport or you can. 
• You get to meet your new family member! 

If a student is coming on the J1 Visa, no money is paid directly to the host family per USCIS regulations. However, we do offer tuition discounts to families that host international students.  Students are expected to pay for vacation trips, family weekend getaways, and similar activities unless the host family decides to include the student and cover the costs. Typically, J1 students come from European countries. 

Students on the F1 Visa are expected to pay a monthly stipend to their host family.  Typically, F1 students come from Asian countries.

Meet the team behind your family, helping support the international student.

Student’s Agency & Local Coordinator: 
These are the agencies the students work with in their home country to find and get placed at LCL. The agencies often provide 24/7 phone support to help resolve any issues that might arise with the student, such as emergency situations or cultural adjustment. Most agencies we are partnered with have a local coordinator who will meet you during the initial home visit and do home check-ins throughout the year.  

LCL’s International Team:  

Mr. Seth Bahr is the Director of World Cultures for the LHSAGM.  Mr. Bahr will help the student with the application to LCL, securing a J1 or F1 Visa, travel, and anything they need until their first day of school.  He is also available 24/7 for emergencies and questions/concerns.

Dr. Patricia Wouters is the Director of ESL for the LHSAGM.  She has 30 years in English special needs instruction experience and is a resource for your family if students are struggling academically.  

Diane Jakubowski is LCL’s School Counselor and can be utilized for counseling support for an international student just like a domestic student.  

Other Host Families
You will be connected to other families hosting students or those with previous experience hosting. Sometimes, it is nice to connect with other host families to share experiences or help with transportation.