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Bridges International Group
Homestay Services
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Homestay Services
Welcome to Bridges International Group
Culture shapes who we are as people. With cultures often being so different, the people you meet during your experience abroad will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. You will have the opportunity to learn and share new ideas, hobbies, and interests with people from another part of the world. The friendships you make while studying abroad will be unforgettable. Additionally, you will find that you have a lasting effect on the community you spend your program in, as it will have a lasting effect on you.
At Bridges International Group, we align ourselves with schools that embrace different cultures and encourage diversity. We can guarantee that our students will be surrounded by individuals who will appreciate their culture and look forward to sharing their culture with you. The bonds and memories you make during this experience will be lifelong and life-changing.
Sincerely,
The Bridges Team
Bridges International Group was founded to give your son or daughter access to the best host families in the area, and we share a passion for students and the homestay experience. Having served over 10 international students in my own home, I have a unique perspective on serving the needs of my students and their families. Service, care, and accessibility are at our core; when you book a homestay with us, you’re guaranteed an extraordinary experience.
From the moment you walk off the plane, you’ll feel the unique Bridges International Group hospitality. We would be honored to care for your student as their home away from home.
Frequently asked Questions
Everything You Need
Host Family Requirements
Treat your student like a family member, not a guest. He or she should have the same privileges and obligations as your own children. Hosting an international high school exchange student and being a host family is the experience of a lifetime!
Exercise supervisory and parental responsibility to ensure the student’s well being.
Provide a quiet place in the home where the student can study.
Provide a room with an exit window, bed, and storage with no more than one roommate of the same sex.
Provide two meals per day Monday-Friday, three meals Saturday and Sunday. Lunches can be made by student during the week and brought from home. Note: If the student chooses to buy lunch at school rather than bring from home, they are responsible for the cost.
Cooperate with Bridges by adhering to program regulations, guidelines, and policies (regular progress reports, home visits, etc.)
Acknowledge the student’s birthday and other special occasions.
Ensure the exchange student knows how to contact family members, friends, and other support networks.
As a host family you are not expected to help students apply to US schools or drive students to college test preparation services or campus visits.
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Close to the Beaches
Your Homestay Family
Shopping at the Irvine Spectrum
A Convenient Location
A Day at Disneyland
A Day With Friends
Our Exceptional Host Families
Everything You Need
What Support We ProvideÂ
A Homestay Coordinator is assigned to oversee every homestay and is always available to ensure that both the student and host family are enjoying their experience together.
Loving Guidance
Homestay families act as caring parents and treat the international student who is living in their home as a family member.
Welcoming Families
Support
24/7 support for both students and their hosts, monthly host family reports sent to parents.
Our Exceptional Host Families
We Listen
We recognize that no two students are the same. For this reason, we work with each student to match them to their ideal host family. Having a variety of host families allows us to tailor the needs of the student to their ideal program. Our families love to connect with the students allowing for more one-on-one time to help increase their language and academic development.Â
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ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPPORT
What sets us apart is the total involvement we maintain throughout the student’s stay with the host family. Our Regional Director is on call and available to the host family and students 24/7. Put simply, if you want a company that cares about your students as much as you Â
do, choose Bridges International Group!
Student Placement
We work hard to match students with host families based on common interests. Every host family loves their city and eagerly awaits the opportunity to give students the best local experience. Students are sure to learn and create incredible memories as they are welcomed into their new family and fully immersed in American culture.
Passionate
Our work at Bridges International Group is about more than placing students in homestays. We know that in order to build meaningful cross-cultural bridges, a good environment needs to be established. We believe that the homestay setting is the ideal place to influence the future leaders of the world and provide them with positive cross-cultural experiences that will benefit the world for generations to come.
Family Support
BIG gives students the safe, comfortable atmosphere of a warm and welcoming homestay. From the moment they arrive, the host family is available to provide a fun, memorable experience in their hometown. Our staff is on call and available 24 Â hours, 7 days a week. Our commitment stems from our dedication to the process of learning and creating positive, life-long memories. We love what we do!
Exceptional Memories
What Support We Provide
A Homestay Coordinator is assigned to oversee every homestay and is always available to ensure that both the student and host family are enjoying their experience together.
What Does My Program Include?
Clean, furnished private room
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner Monday through Friday Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Saturday and Sunday
Carefully screened and approved families ∙ Welcoming American family
Monthly Status Reports
Activities with your Host Family
24/7 support from Our Regional Director
Belonging
At Bridges International Group, our mission is to empower the next generation to explore new cultures from around the world. We want to build a diverse community that invokes change in our society. Go out and study abroad, Learn about new and diverse cultures, and Grow in character and Integrity to have the broadest impact both at home and around the globe.
Host Homes
Simply for You
HOMESTAYS
Our hosts are an integral part of a homestay for international students, as they’re responsible for opening up their home, welcoming a student, and providing the highest form of hospitality throughout the entire experience. Your host family will guide you through your U.S. journey and help you with any questions, concerns or issues that arise.
24/7 support
Personalized student/family matches
Vetted selection of households
Lifelong friendship opportunities
Extra assistance transitioning to American student life
Help navigating the local communit
Your Safety is Our First Priority
We don’t take our international homestay program lightly, especially regarding the safety and security of our students. We only choose host families who have undergone national criminal background checks, interviews, at-home inspections, orientations, and training. On top of intensive procedures for households, we’re CSIET-compliant, meaning Bridges International Group holds its families to the strictest guidelines to ensure each student is safe and well taken care of during their entire academic homestay.
Your Adventure Awaits
Getting excited about your upcoming adventure to study in the US? Take the next step by submitting your application for homestay accommodation!