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HOST FAMILY HANDBOOK

Short-Term Homestay Programs

www.greenheartexchange.org

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Welcome3What is Greenheart Exchange? What is the Greenheart Club?The Greenheart Exchange Family

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The Local Coordinator The Regional Director, Regional Manager, and Area Coordinator The Chicago Office Staff The Participants The Host FamiliesIndependent Homestay Programs (IHP)Participant Schedule Volunteer Program Language Buddy ProgramGroup Homestay ProgramsParticipant Schedule Class and Activity Program Immersion Program Preparatory Program Group LeaderHost Family Responsibilities

Participant Arrivals House Rules Meals Money Matters Participant Insurance Religion Traveling Culture Shock and Adjustment Host Family ChangesGreenheart Exchange Emergency ProceduresMedical Emergency Non-Medical Emergency

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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The Host Family Circle

Participant Rules and Conditions9-10Tips and Tricks for Host Families10

16A Final Word16Conditions of Participation17-18

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Welcome to the Greenheart Exchange Family! We are so happy to have you. You are about to embark upon an unforgettable adventure as you open your home to an international guest.As a host family you are taking an important step toward creating a bridge between cultures, experiencing American culture through a new lens, and making a contribution to international understanding. Inviting someone into your home is a big responsibility, which is why we designed this handbook to help you along the way!

What is Greenheart Exchange?Established in 1985, Greenheart Exchange is a branch of Greenheart International, a nonprofit that connects people and planet to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, fair trade, and cultural exchange. Greenheart Exchange organizes J-1 and F-1 high school exchanges; short-term homestays; internship, training, volunteer, work & travel, and language study programs in the United States and over 30 countries around the world.To learn more about Greenheart Exchange or Greenheart International visit greenheart.info.

What is the Greenheart Club?The Greenheart Club empowers members of our cultural exchange community to be global leaders and take action. We provide tools to track volunteer impact, funding opportunities for service projects, access to a global network, and resources for professional development.All of our participants are encouraged to partake in a Greenheart vol-unteer project. The projects most commonly include an environmental, humanitarian, educational, cultural or social focus.Group homestay participants are required to volunteer as a group during their program. Some Independent homestay participants elect the volunteer option, providing regular support to a community organization during their stay.As a Greenheart Exchange host family we encourage you to join your participant on volunteer project(s). Additionally, we suggest that you join the Greenheart Club today by visiting greenheartclub.org. If you have any questions or would like to join the Greenheart Club, please reach out to your Local Coordinator.

WELCOME

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THE GREENHEART EXCHANGE FAMILYYou are now officially part of the Greenheart Exchange Family. Greenheart Exchange is made up of a network of people—ranging from the Local Coordinator in your community—to an emergency hotline available to you 24 hours a day throughout your hosting experience.

The Local CoordinatorYour Local Coordinator (LC) is recruited and trained by Greenheart Exchange professional staff to work within their community. They are the person who helps match you with an international participant and will be your primary contact throughout the homestay program. Your LC works very hard along with their Regional Supervisor to make the homestay program a success and wants you and your international guest to make the most of your intercultural experience. If you are unhappy with any part of your program, please tell your LC.

The Regional Director and Regional ManagerThe Regional Director (RD), or, in some cases, the Regional Manager (RM) supervises your LC. Their responsibilities include recruiting and training Local Coordinators, and helping them answer questions and solve problems. Regional Directors are full-time administrators who supervise Regional Managers and Local Coordinators. When your LC is not available, or when you have a question you don’t feel comfortable discussing with your LC, your next step would be to contact the Regional Director or Regional Manager. If your LC has not provided you this person’s name and number, be sure to ask for this information.

The Chicago Office StaffGreenheart Exchange’s national office is based in Chicago. The Pro-gram Managers in the office are responsible for working with your LC, as well as the international partner in your participant's home country, to ensure the program is enjoyable for you and the international partici-pants. You should contact the Greenheart Exchange National Office in emergency situations (cancelled flights, etc.) when your LC and RD are not available. During normal business hours, call toll free 1-800-634-4771; for after-hours emergencies, call 1-888-301-9868. These numbers are written on the back cover of this handbook for easy reference.

The ParticipantsGreenheart Exchange’s participants are teenagers and adults who visit the U.S. from countries around the world to experience the culture and everyday life of an American family just like yours. Participants apply through an international partner that screens participants for at least a basic level of English language knowledge, a genuine interest in U.S.

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culture, and a willingness to become a member of an American family. Participants receive information about the program from the international partner in addition to the orientation conducted by the Local Coordinator in the U.S.

The Host FamiliesGreenheart Exchange’s host families have varied backgrounds, homes, and makeups. Host families provide a bed and three meals per day for their international guests. Hosts must agree to speak English at home and take an interest in their participant’s culture. The most important contribution a host family makes is to provide a warm, safe and inviting home.

INDEPENDENT HOMESTAY PROGRAMS (IHP)The Independent Homestay Program (IHP) focuses on culture and home life in the United States. This year-round program can last anywhere from 2-8 weeks. It is designed for mature participants, at least 15 years in age, who are interested in taking part in the everyday activities of their host family, as well as exploring the community on their own. Partici-pants must have a basic proficiency in conversational English, as well as an ability and willingness to plan some activities of their own (particularly during the day when host parents may be at work.)This program requires the participant has a willingness to learn, under-stand, appreciate, and adapt to the customs of American culture, their community and family. Host families must provide room and board for a 2-8 week period, include the participant in family activities, and wel-come them with an open mind and heart. For IHP participants under 18 years old Greenheart Exchange expects a family member will be avail-able during the day to monitor and spend time with the participant.

IHP: Participant ScheduleThere are no activities arranged during the Independent Homestay pro-gram so participants apply with the understanding that this is an inde-pendent program and they should not expect to be entertained 24/7. The appeal for participants is the potential to bond with a host family and im-prove their English through a full immersion experience. That said, they do expect to regularly participate in family activities and receive your guidance in exploring the community. Most IHP families also arrange op-portunities for their participant to spend time with friends, family and/or neighbors on days the family is very busy. In some cases, teenage IHP participants who come during the school year have signed up for a “high school visit program”, in which case they will “shadow” a host sibling or school buddy at a local high school. In some cases, your participant may

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have opted for the volunteer or language buddy programs, described be-low. Your local coordinator will inform you if either of these options apply to the participant you are considering hosting.

IHP: Volunteer ProgramIHP participants choose to volunteer their time and skills for 5 to 15+ hours each week within their host community when signing up for this program. Previous participants have volunteered with environmental organizations, local hospitals, community centers, youth camps, schools, and other similar places. This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to integrate into their new environment, meet new American friends, and give back to their host community. The Local Coordinator is responsible for confirming a volunteer placement a reasonable distance from the host family home. In some cases the Local Coordinator may ask the host family for help in identifying a volunteer organization for one of our participants. If you are involved with an organization that regularly needs volunteers, particularly in the summer, please let your Local Coordinator know.

IHP: Language Buddy ProgramParticipants who choose the Language Buddy option set aside time each week (around 5 hours) to tutor a host family member in their native language. The participants of this program do not necessarily have previous teaching experience, but are provided with a basic guide by Greenheart Exchange and will focus on helping a host family member with simple communication skills. This program is only available to participants ages 18 and older. Host families are responsible for coor-dinating with the language buddy participant directly where and when tutoring will take place each week. The host family member who will be tutored is advised to communicate with the language buddy participant in advance via email to explain their reason for learning the language, so that the participant has a better idea what topics to work on with the host family learner. Note that the expectation is that other than hours designated for tutoring, the family will only speak English with the participant. The participant is required to keep a log documenting hours spent tutoring on the program.

GROUP HOMESTAY PROGRAMS (GHP)For participants who wish to experience the United States with a group of their peers and become part of an American family, we offer Group Homestay Programs (GHP). Like our IHP participants, Group Homestay Program participants welcome the opportunity to learn about American culture and home life. Participants, typically between 13 and 17 years of age, come in a group for two to four weeks. Most programs take place

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during the summer, although we occasionally receive groups at other times of the year. Group programs offer participants the opportunity to have the homestay experience with an American family, while also providing them with some structured activities and/or classes during their program.

GHP: Participant ScheduleOn some Group programs participants will be busy participating in weekday classes and/or activities, but they will also have a consider-able amount of free time on weekends, evenings, and holidays to spend with your family. Your Local Coordinator will provide you with a program schedule during the host family orientation, and will notify you of any schedule changes as they occur. Sometimes families will arrange group outings of their own initiative, not pre-arranged by the LC. This is a great way to get to know other families in your area, though it’s important to make sure that the adult hosts are communicating with one another rather than having participants arrange outings that could interfere with other host family plans.Although the exact schedule of each group varies, there are three types of Group Homestay Programs, described below.

GHP: Class and Activity ProgramA Class and Activity Group Homestay Program includes English lan-guage classes and/or high school visits, and group activities. In many cases, the group will spend a few hours on weekdays taking English class and then have an afternoon activity; once a week the group may have a full day excursion. Generally, group classes and activities do not take place on the weekend to allow your family time to get to know your participant and show them your family’s favorite pastimes.

GHP: Immersion Program An Immersion Group Homestay Program generally includes one full day excursion per week. While on this program the participants are interest-ed in spending as much time as possible with your family without being around speakers of their native language too much. Hosting a partici-pant traveling on an immersion program is similar to hosting an indepen-dent homestay participant due to the amount of time you are expected to spend with the participants. Immersion groups do have some planned activities, but the majority of the time is intended to be spent with the family.

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HOST FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIESListed below are the primary responsibilities for all Greenheart Exchange host families:• Provide a warm, safe and welcoming environment• Speak in English with your participant as often as possible• Invite your participant to join your daily activities• Provide a bed and private sleeping accommodations: participants 18

and under can share a room with a host sibling +/- a 5 year age differ-ence of the same gender; futons, air mattresses, and pull out couches are not acceptable

• Provide three meals a day (including a packed lunch on days there are program activities)

• Transportation (for Group participants and Volunteer IHP participants): dropping off and picking up your participant at a meeting point on days when there are scheduled group classes or activities— your LC can help arrange alternate transportation upon request

• Help your participant explore the community with your family and on their own through guidance, suggestions, and transportation support

GHP: Preparatory ProgramPreparatory programs are specifically for participants who will be con-tinuing on as students for the full academic year as J1, and sometimes F1, high school exchange students. The preparatory programs include 20-30 hours of English class per week plus 1 full day excursion per week. Because students fly directly to their J1 or F1 host community rather than going back to their home country after the program, this is the only program where students travel as a group without a Group Leader, described below.

GHP: Group LeaderGreenheart Exchange contracts with pre-screened international partners that not only recruit participants for the program, but also send a Group Leader (GL). The GL is an adult who travels with the participants and acts as an assistant to the Local Coordinator throughout the program. The GL is bilingual, so that they can assist in resolving misunderstand-ings that may be the result of cultural or linguistic differences. Although the LC is always the first person you should contact for any concerns, the GL is also available to you to address any problems that might be better understood or resolved with the assistance of someone from your participant’s culture.

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PARTICIPANT RULES AND CONDITIONSParticipants must abide by the rules established by your family regarding a curfew, smoking, household chores, laundry, etc. They are expected to adapt to your family circumstances regarding use of bathrooms, time schedules for eating, getting up in the morning, use of electronic devices, etc. Therefore, please share all of your household rules and norms with your participant up front to be sure that they understand what you expect of them.Participants are instructed to avoid action that could potentially disrupt adaptation to your family and to the American way of life. Such discour-aged behaviors include independent travel and extensive communica-tion with family and friends at home.Independent Homestay Participants under the age of 18 must obtain written permission, verified by our partner agency, for any trips they take on their own without the supervision of a host parent, school, or community group. Those on group programs should not let time spent with others in their group interfere with time that could be spent with your family. When your participant is spending time with you and/or other host families, along with other participants, they should speak English as much as possible.Participants must obey all national, state, and local laws at all times. They must also abide by all Greenheart Exchange, family, and communi-ty rules.Smoking is prohibited for anyone not of legal age to smoke in the U.S. (18 in most areas), as well as any participant of a group program. Inde-pendent Homestay Participants who are of legal age may smoke only in accordance with the rules of your home and community.Participants under age 21 may not drink alcoholic beverages. Those 21 and over should avoid excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.

(or, for participants 18+, helping the participant understand the public transport system)

• Create opportunities for your participant to interact with your own fami-ly, friends, neighbors, etc.

• Inform Local Coordinator of any issues including problems with health, culture shock, being disrespectful, or breaking the rules

• Provide basic supervision and guidance to your participantNote: Host Families should keep a copy of the participant’s application accessible at all times, even a pdf copy will suffice. There is a medical release form that may be needed in the event of a medical emergency.

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TIPS AND TRICK FOR HOST FAMILIESParticipant ArrivalsParticipants may be met at the airport by either the LC or host family. (For Group Programs, the LC may meet the participants at the airport and then arrange to meet all host families at a central meeting location in your community.) If you are making arrangements to pick up your participant, be sure to look up the flight online for up to date arrival information prior to leaving home. At the arrival gate, hold up a sign that reads “Greenheart Exchange” and the participant’s name.In the event that an arrival flight has been delayed you will be notified by your LC or IHP participant directly. Be sure to gather the essential infor-mation from the participant: a phone number to call them back on, the new flight number and updated arrival time. If there are any issues, you can ask if the participant can hand the phone to an airline employee.Please keep in mind that participants are likely to be exhausted upon arrival. When people are stressed and tired, they revert to their native language and generally find it difficult to think or speak in anything else. Your participant may be quite nervous about meeting you and having to speak in a foreign language. Try not to overload him/her with too much information too quickly. Remember that Americans speak several ver-sions of the English language. Even people who read and write formal English well may require some time to adjust to speaking to Americans on a conversational level. We recommend that you speak slowly and clearly and repeat things a few times if you think you are not completely understood. Above all, please be patient! Give your participant time to adjust to their new environment.

House RulesPlease be aware your guest is not an au pair, housekeeper, or baby-sit-ter. Rather, your international guest should be treated as a family mem-ber, sharing household chores as well as leisure activities.

Use of nonprescription drugs is forbidden, except items sold in drug stores or pharmacies, such as aspirin and cold capsules, when taken as directed by a physician or the product label.Participants are not permitted to drive host families’ vehicles (this in-cludes, but is not limited to, automobiles, mopeds, snow mobiles, etc.).Adult participants who do rent vehicles are responsible for their own insurance. Please find the complete “Conditions of Participation” that all of our participants sign at the end of this booklet.

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We suggest that you discuss expectations and house rules as a family prior to the arrival of your participant. You can transcribe those rules onto a document that the participant can reference during their stay. One of the first conversations that you should have with your participant should include a discussion of your expectations and house rules. It is not practical to expect them to take initiative, as your family circumstanc-es will be quite different than what they are accustomed to. So, take time at the beginning of the homestay program to explain the rules of your home and what chores you expect the participant to complete as a guest in your home. Clearly communicating your expectations up front, and repeating them as necessary throughout the homestay experience allows the participant a chance to adapt to your family’s normal patterns of behavior.

MealsAs the host family, you are expected to provide three meals a day for your participant. You may show them how to make breakfast or pack a lunch so they can be somewhat independent (and you won’t have to be available at all times). If your family decides to dine out, your partic-ipant has been advised that they should offer to pay for their portion of the meal. We recommend that you remind the participant of this prior to leaving home to be sure they bring money with them. Additionally, if more than three meals are taken out of the home in a week, your family is responsible for paying for the participant.Keep in mind that dinners or other meals with the entire family can be a great time for getting to know each other, sharing experiences of the day, and helping each other practice language skills.Culture shock and integrating into someone else’s home can be quite stressful. If your participant doesn’t seem to appreciate your cooking or scheduled mealtimes, we recommend you discuss the differences with them. American food and customs may be strange to your participant. Refer to the CultureGram provided by your LC or be prepared to discuss differences and preferences with your participant. Discussion leads to understanding. Your understanding of cultural differences without judg-ment will encourage your guest to willingly experiment and try things ‘the American way.”Note: Independent Homestay Volunteer Program participants are ex-pected to buy their own lunch on volunteer days.

Money MattersParticipants are responsible for their own entertainment and person-al expenses, including such items as long-distance telephone calls,

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clothing, hygiene products, and stamps. If they choose not to eat the food your family provides, or if they opt to eat out, it is the participant’s responsibility to cover the cost of these meals.Participants will arrive to the U.S. with their own spending money. Greenheart Exchange recommends that each participant bring approx-imately $75-$100 per week for personal needs and a couple of meals out. Participants are not allowed to borrow money from or loan money to anyone on the program. Greenheart Exchange highly discourages host families from loaning money to their exchange participant.All telephone calls made by participants should be made utilizing phone applications that allow free long distance communication over the Internet. Please do not allow the participant to use your phone with the promise of paying for the calls later as international calls are costly, and the participant could be home before your bill arrives. Advise participant on alternative free options, such as calling through Skype or Whatsapp.

Participant InsuranceYour Local Coordinator will provide you with information regarding the participant’s health and accident insurance. Please keep this information in a safe place. If medical attention is required, please notify your LC. He/she or the Group Leader will help you and/or the participant with the insurance procedures. If your participant has a medical emergency or is admitted to a hospital, be sure to call the insurance provider to inform them of the situation. In cases where there is a non-emergency medical situation, please also call the insurance provider (or visit the insurance company website) to identify the closest in-network healthcare provider, to minimize the participant’s out of pocket expense. Unless there is a true emergency, it is always recommended to take the participant to the closest in-network doctor’s office or to an urgent care facility.For some medical visits and for most prescriptions, a copay will be required which the participant or Group Leader is responsible for paying. In an emergency if you pay a copay yourself, please inform your LC right away—make sure you keep receipts for all medical purchases and any documentation of the visit. You should email scanned copies of receipts to your LC, so that the Greenheart Exchange national office can assist with your reimbursement.

ReligionGreenheart Exchange encourages, but does not require, participants to attend religious services with their host families. Attending religious ser-vices can provide participants with social and educational opportunities they might not find elsewhere. However, no participant should be com-pelled to attend religious services or activities, or to engage in religious

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rituals with the host family. In addition, host families are not permitted to proselytize or attempt to convert a participant to the host’s religion.

TravelingGroup and IHP participants under the age of 18 may make arrange-ments to travel before or after, but not during, their homestay program. If participants wish to take trips with or without you during their program, Greenheart Exchange must be informed, in writing, of location and important contact information, in advance of these arrangements. If they will be traveling with you, please provide your LC with phone numbers where you can be reached while away. For participants under 18, over-night trips also require prior approval by the participant’s natural parents.For adult participants (25 or older) who are eligible and choose to rent a vehicle: please know that Greenheart Exchange’s medical insurance does not cover damage or injury that occurs as the result of driving a motor vehicle. All insurance connected with vehicle rental must be purchased directly by the participant. Greenheart Exchange discourages host families from lending their vehicle to a participant.

Culture Shock and AdjustmentIt can be difficult adapting to a new language and culture. Symptoms of culture shock range from mild to severe. The following are some of the signs you might notice: excessive need for sleep or not being able to sleep after the first few days, voicing feelings of homesickness, com-plaining about America and anything American (foods, ideas, people), easily irritated or tearful and not eating or eating excessively. Most of the time, these feelings are natural and will soon disappear.As a host parent, it can help to educate yourself on the culture of your participants beforehand to avoid misunderstandings. For example, in Japan politeness is very important; a direct “no” is seldom given but a phrase like “I will think about it” can mean no. In Spain teenagers are accustomed to hanging out in large groups of their peers. In many Latin American countries it is normal for events and meetings to start later than announced. Your LC will provide you with information about your participant’s culture during the host family orientation.It’s important to be clear with participants about your expectations, but at the same time to have sympathy for the adjustments your guest is dealing with. If you feel that your guest is experiencing significant and consistent adjustment difficulties, contact your LC and/or Group Leader for assistance and suggestions.

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Host Family ChangesYour LC is trained to help you find strategies for dealing with any adjust-ment issues you and your participant experience so it is very important that you keep your LC informed before they become problems.Sometimes adjustment difficulties cannot be resolved, and a family change is needed. Host family changes are not made casually, and every effort is made to resolve issues before the participant is moved to a new home. Often, the need for a change is simply due to a person-ality conflict, and is not the “fault” of either the hosts or the participant. While hosts and participants will often feel some disappointment that the experience did not progress as hoped, families should NOT consider the necessity to move a participant a “failure” in any way. This is a learning experience as everyone involved is being introduced to new thoughts, ideas and experiences. No homestay experience can be productive if either the host or the participant is uncomfortable. And remember, your LC is there for you.

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GREENHEART EXCHANGE EMERGENCY PROCEDUREMedical EmergencyIn the event of a critical medical emergency please contact 911 and/or local emergency service for further assistance. Following this, at the first opportunity you should contact the LC and Group Leader (if applicable), whose numbers are listed on the inside cover of this booklet.If neither is available contact the Greenheart Exchange National Office:During Office Hours (M-F: 9am-5:30pm, excl. holidays): 1-866-634-4771 After Hours Emergency Phone: 1-888-301-9868You should also contact the participant’s insurance carrier as soon as possible to provide a brief description of the medical situation.Note: The participant’s natural parents have signed a document giving Greenheart Exchange staff, representatives, and host parents permis-sion to seek medical treatment for the exchange participant. The signa-ture can be found at the bottom of page one of the participant applica-tion. Please keep a copy of this application with you at all times in case it needs to be presented to a hospital representative. Your LC will also have a copy of the participant’s application with this signature, as will the Greenheart Exchange National Office.

Non-Medical EmergencyIn the event of a non-medical emergency call your Local Coordinator. If the LC is not available contact the Regional Manager or Director. If he or she is not available, contact the National Office at the numbers listed above.

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Greenheart Exchange encourages all host family members to “com-plete” their intercultural experience by traveling abroad on an exchange program. Our “Host Family Circle” Program invites host family members to take advantage of discounts and scholarships for Greenheart Travel programs abroad.

THE HOST FAMILY CIRCLE

A FINAL WORDThank you for hosting a Greenheart Exchange participant! Without gen-erous families like yours, our homestay programs would not be possible. We hope that your hosting experience will meet and exceed any expec-tations you may have. Please complete the Host Family Evaluation form that will be sent to you via email when your participant departs to share your feedback about the hosting experience. Thank you for opening your home and heart to join Greenheart Exchange in the quest for interna-tional harmony. Please keep in touch with us if you are interested in hosting again or traveling abroad on a Greenheart program.

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CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION FOR GROUP AND INDEPENDENT HOMESTAY PARTICIPANTS

1. Greenheart Exchange participants must obey all national, state, and local laws at all times, as well as the rules of Greenheart Exchange, the host family, and the homestay community. The breaking of any law or rule can result in dismissal from the program.

2. Smoking is prohibited for anyone not of legal age to smoke in the US (18 in most areas). Smoking is prohibited for all Group program participants. Participants on the IHP Program may only smoke if of legal age to do so, and only in accordance with the laws of his/her homestay community and the rules of the host family. Participants under the age of 21 are not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages—those 21 and older who wish to drink should do so only in moderation.

3. The use of non-prescription drugs is strictly forbidden, except for items sold in drugstores or pharmacies, such as aspirin and cold capsules.

4. Group and IHP Participants under 18 absolutely may NOT drive while on the program. IHP participants who are of legal age to drive are not allowed to drive a host family vehicle. If an IHP participant of legal age decides to rent a car the participant is responsible for his/her own insurance. Greenheart Exchange’s medical insurance does not cover injuries or damage that occurs as the result of a participant driving a motor vehicle. Participants are not allowed to hitchhike while on the program.

5. Group and IHP Participants agree NOT to use any firearms while on the program.

6. Participants should only use the Host Family telephone with a phone card or via collect calls. Any expenses charged to the host family must be reimbursed immediately. Phone calls as well as e-mail messages to natural family and friends should be limited to one time per week.

7. During the program, participants under 18 have permission only to travel with their host parents, or with other adult-supervised school or community groups. Any other travel for such participants, wheth-er alone, with peers, or with other participants, is permitted only with prior approval from Greenheart Exchange, and then only after complete itineraries, including names and addresses of people to be visited, and signed parental release have been submitted as part of the travel request.

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8. Greenheart Exchange does not allow natural parents, family mem-bers, or friends to visit participants while on the program.

9. Since participants must return to their home country shortly after entering the U.S., social behavior that requires a strong emotional commitment, such as sexual intercourse, marriage or change of religion are forbidden for all group participants, as well as all inde-pendent homestay participants under the age of 21. Participants are also not permitted to get piercing or tattoos while on the program.

10. Greenheart Exchange expects all participants, host families, and local coordinators to be respectful of other races, religions, national-ities, cultures, sexual orientations, and sexual identities. We do not tolerate comments, jokes, or behaviors that degrade or disrespect individuals or groups.

11. Participants must obey the rules established by the host family con-cerning curfew, household chores, etc, and must adapt to the family circumstances regarding use of bathrooms and time schedules. Par-ticipants may be required to change host families during their stay in the U.S. however host family changes are rare.

12. Participants who visit an American high school as part of their pro-gram are required to respect all classroom rules and to demonstrate a positive, cooperative attitude.

13. Participants are required to maintain respectful behavior on any organized outing or field trip, and, in circumstances where there is free time, will adhere to the meeting points and times established by the Local Coordinator.

14. Greenheart Exchange participants must arrive in the host country with a valid passport and a visa, when required, and a roundtrip ticket to return to their native countries at the end of the program. Greenheart Exchange will not take responsibility in aiding partic-ipants in changing their visas, and will not take responsibility for participants who remain in the US after the close of the program.

15. Greenheart Exchange participants must try their very best to integrate into their American family and the program with the under-standing that there are going to be major differences between their life style and those in the US.

16. Participants who break any of Greenheart Exchange’s rules may be expelled from the program, in which case the participant would be billed for any costs for early dismissal such as airline ticket change or reissue, hotel fees, airport transfers, etc.

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High School AbroadGreenheart Travel’s High School Abroad Program focuses on the importance of full cultural immersion while studying abroad. Students live with host families for 3, 5, or 10 months while attending high school in a selected country abroad.

Language Homestay ProgramsAdult participants live with a host family and teach the host family English for 15 hours per week. Available for ages 18+ with no experience required.

Volunteer ProgramsThe volunteer program offers participants the chance to experience a new culture and contribute to worthwhile causes such as environmental conservation and community development. Participants are provided a placement with a volunteer organization as well as accommodations with a host family or a guest house.

Teach AbroadCollege graduates can travel inexpensively while experiencing a true cultural immersion by teaching English abroad from 5 to 12 months. Most programs include free housing and a monthly stipend, along with other benefits depending on the destination. Previous teaching experience is not required.

Work AbroadGreenheart Travel offers 6 or 12 month paid hospitality positions in top Australian tourist destinations – guaranteed in advance!

School to School ProgramGreenheart Exchange matches American schools with schools abroad for a reciprocal exchange program. The U.S. school hosts a group of international students for 2 weeks and travel abroad during the same academic year. There is no fee to your school to participate, and the cost to traveling students is about half the cost of a traditional tour program.

Summer Group ProgramsSchool and community organizations can travel together and participate in educational homestay programs abroad.

GREENHEART TRAVEL PROGRAMS

Emergency Contact Information

When emergencies occur, you should try to contact your Local Coordinator. (You, he or she should write the telephone number and e-mail address above.) If your Local Coordinator is not available, the Area Coordinator’s, Regional Manager’s or Regional Director’s telephone is your second option.

If none of the above is available, the Greenheart Exchange telephone number is: 1.866.224.0061 (toll-free from within the U.S.).

At night, during holidays and on weekends, the Greenheart Exchange’s emergency service telephone numbers are: 1.888.301.9868 (toll-free from within the U.S.) and 1.708.237.6129 (from outside U.S.).

Local Coordinator Name Telephone Number

Email Address

Telephone NumberRegional Manager Name

Email Address

Telephone NumberRegional Manager Name

Email Address

Since 1985, Greenheart Exchange has offered cultural exchange programs in the U.S. that connect Americans with international students. As the leading nonprofit cultural exchange sponsor that blends service learning and volunteerism into all of our programs, we are effectively creating a community of compassionate and conscious global citizens.

Greenheart Exchange is one of four branches of Greenheart International, a global nonprofit organization headquartered in Chicago, IL, committed to connecting people and planet to create a more peaceful and sustainable global community.

Greenheart Exchange (Short Term Programs)

Toll Free: 800.634.4771 Fax: 312.277.6159 Email: shorttermprograms@greenheart.org

01/19712 N Wells St · 2nd Floor · Chicago, IL 60654