► Why should students study abroad?
Students should study abroad because it provides the opportunity for them to:
- Grow in their understanding of themselves and God
- Develop relationships with those who are culturally different
- Grow in their knowledge and understanding of other cultures
- Improve their foreign-language ability
- Contribute to the life of their international host school and community by studying, participating in activities, serving, and ministering
- Live and study in a Christ-centered environment
- Be developed as Christian leaders
- Expand their global vision
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► What does ACSI Destinations provide for participating international host schools, host families, and American and Canadian study abroad students?
♦Thorough screening of students through a written application, language testing, and personal interview
- Pre-departure orientation sessions for study abroad students (via phone, email, and chat)
- Assistance with host family screening and placement
- A pre-paid debit card for study abroad students’ personal expenses (students’ parents will load money on the card)
- Medical and liability insurance for study abroad students
- Ongoing supervision, assistance, and counsel for international host school coordinators (IHSCs), host families, and study abroad students
- Communication coordination between host schools and the study abroad students’ parents
- Written resources such as the student handbook, host family handbook, host family notebook and IHSC notebook
- Connection to international travel agencies
- Re-entry debriefing session (via phone, email, and chat) for study abroad students once they return home
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► What are the responsibilities of an international host school coordinator (IHSC)?
- Be the communication link between ACSI Destinations, the international host school, and host families
- Secure study abroad students’ placements in the international host school
- Recruit and screen host families and conduct in-home interviews
- Assign study abroad students to host families in conjunction with the ACSI Destinations U.S. program coordinator
- Conduct host family orientations
- Welcome study abroad students at the airport when they arrive or arrange for host families or a staff of the international host school to do so
- Conduct in-country study abroad student orientation in conjunction with the ACSI Destinations U.S. program coordinator within one week of the study abroad students’ arrival in the host country.
- Support and supervise study abroad students and host families throughout the school year.
- Contact and interact with the study abroad students, host families, and international host schools at least once a month.
- Conduct re-entry orientation for study abroad students and host families.
- Assist study abroad students and host families with year-end arrangements such as flights, transportation, etc.
For more detailed information please see the IHSC job description.
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► What are the process and qualifications for becoming an international host school coordinator (IHSC)?
International host school coordinators (IHSCs) volunteer or are hired by international host schools. IHSC’s are not employees of ACSI, but the school administration works with ACSI Destinations in designating this person. He or she could potentially be a person who already works with other study abroad students at the school, or someone else such as a guidance counselor or teacher. IHSCs must have the following qualifications:
- Currently on staff or affiliated with (e.g., volunteer, parent, etc.) an approved ACSI Destinations international host school
- Interest in supporting and supervising study abroad students. Cross-cultural experience with North Americans is preferable.
- Experience working with children and/or teenagers in a school or church setting
- Strong communication in English and warm interpersonal skills
- Solid and growing Christian who is an active member of a local evangelical church
- Proven skills in flexibility and adaptability
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► What characteristics does ACSI Destinations look and screen for in potential American and Canadian study abroad students?
Students between the ages of 14 and 18 who…
- wish to attend a private Christian school in Latin America
- want to enroll in grades 9 through 11
- are above average academically in their home country
- have English and Spanish language ability (both speaking and written) that is acceptable for admission in their host school (this will vary as schools have different admission requirements) and to be able to communicate with a Spanish-speaking host family
- desire to live with a Spanish-speaking host family
- are adaptable and like being stretched and taking risks
- are disciplined in school and other areas of life
- respect authority
- are already involved in their local community (e.g., church, volunteer, etc.)
- want to experience and learn about another country and culture
- wish to be ambassadors of their country
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► What is the process for an American or Canadian student to participate in the ACSI Destinations long-term outbound program?
- Written student application (available in the forms tab)
- References, including Spanish teacher if living with a host family (contained in student application)
- Student interview with ACSI Destinations staff
- Parents interview with ACSI Destinations staff
- Completed application packets sent to host schools by ACSI Destinations
- Program fee and school tuition due
- Medical supplement (available in the forms tab)
- Purchase international airline tickets
- Apply for visa (if necessary)
- Pre-departure orientation sessions (in home country via phone, email, or chat)
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► How much does it cost for an American or Canadian student to participate in the ACSI Destinations long-term outbound program?
Prices vary widely by international school and location. Study abroad students and their parents must be prepared to pay for the following:
- Private international school tuition and standard fees
- Special course and activity fees
- Program administrative fees
- Room and board (homestay or dormitory)
- Insurance
- International airfare
- Personal expenses
At this time all monies, including international school tuition and fees, must be paid to ACSI Destinations. ACSI Destinations then pays each service provider accordingly.
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► May an ACSI Destinations study abroad student attend any ACSI member international school?
No, only certain ACSI member international schools are part of the Destinations program.
International schools must be invited to go through an application process and be approved to host Destinations study abroad students. These schools must be ACSI members and accredited through a recognized organization. Study abroad students may attend only those schools that are approved international host schools. The list of approved international host schools will continue to grow and change.
In the student application, study abroad students are asked to indicate their top three choices of schools. ACSI Destinations presents each accepted study abroad student’s application to one international host school based on his or her preferences, the available spots, and the total pool of applicants. Final admissions decisions are up to each international host school, so ACSI cannot guarantee that study abroad students will be able to attend their top choice school.
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► Where do ACSI Destinations study abroad students live once they arrive in Latin America?
In most cases study abroad students live with Spanish-speaking, Christian host families who are carefully screened and matched to each student. In some cases, study abroad students may live in a dormitory setting with Christian dorm parents on the campus of their international host school.
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► What are the responsibilities of a host family?
Host families provide a “home away from home” for study abroad students. This includes supervision and support as well as housing, meals, and transportation. Study abroad students and their parents are expected to cover school tuition and fees, as well as personal expenses such as money for recreational activities and trips.
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► What should potential host families do or consider before applying to host?
- Pray and ask God to give wisdom
- Interest (of all family members) in learning about another country and culture
- Time to invest in another child
- Patience with teenagers and their issues
- Adaptability to new people, values, and behaviors
- Willingness to learn and help a study abroad student learn and adapt
- Ability to provide transportation for the student
- Space in the home for the student to study and sleep
- Financial expense of adding another person to the household
- Family situations (recent death of a family member, serious health problems, etc.)
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► What is the process for becoming an ACSI Destinations host family?
- Express interest to the international host school coordinator (IHSC)
- In-home interview and informational session with the IHSC (all household members must be present)
- Written host family application (available in the forms tab)
- Reference (form contained in the host family application)
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► Are host families paid to host study abroad students?
Yes, host families are paid a small stipend to offset the added expense of hosting a student. However, the amount is not meant to cover all expenses that arise in hosting a student. ACSI Destinations’ expectation is that the motivation for hosting a study abroad student is broader than any financial gain. The method and frequency of payment varies by international host school.
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► When do study abroad students arrive and leave?
Students arrive one day to two weeks before the first day of school in August or September. They depart within ten days of the last day of school in May or June. (Some students come for just one semester, so arrival times and departures could also be in December, January, or February.) Once students and host families have been matched, ACSI Destinations will work with students, IHSCs, and host families to determine specific dates of the study aboard students’ arrival.
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► How long do study abroad students stay with their host families?
Normally host families are asked to host for the duration of their study abroad student’s original stay (one semester or one year). In some limited cases study abroad students may have the option to renew their participation in the program in subsequent years and host families would also have the option to host the same study abroad student, host a new study abroad student, or stop hosting. Host families are under no obligation to host for a second year.
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► Are study abroad students allowed to return after their first year of participation in the Destinations outbound long-term study program?
Generally study abroad students will not have the option of renewing their participation in the Destinations program and returning to their international host school. However, in some cases the school may be open to them returning. In order to return a study abroad student must fill out a student renewal application. Besides the student’s portion, the host school, and the student’s parents fill out a portion of the application to indicate their agreement with the study abroad student’s return. Returning study abroad students pay a reduced program fee, but receive the same support services as during their first year.
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