Homestay Craze: Worth the Money?

I am writing concerning the June 4 article titled The Homestay Craze: Worth the Money? in The Jakarta Post. On behalf of the Educational Advising Service of the American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation, I would like to set the record straight by stating the following:

* Homestay programs offer unique English language study and improvement possibilities, new cultural and travel experiences and the opportunity to develop new and lasting friendships.

* Before filing an application for a Homestay program, do some research. Compare the program offerings: duration, cost, requirements, location, host details, travel and excursion options, etc. Find out if the Homestay organizations are a member of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel.

* Students who participate in homestay programs must keep in mind that they are going to a foreign country to discover the culture of the country and must be willing to adapt fully to the lifestyles of their host family. In the United States there are families of many different backgrounds, but all are equally Americans.

* There are hundreds of educational institutions (colleges and universities) in the U.S. and AMINEF can readily provide accreditation information on them all.

* Educational institutions (colleges and universities) and educational organizations (homestay programs, placement services, etc.) should not be confused as the same.

ARDYTHE HUBER-FENWICK

AMINEF/Educational Advising

Service

Jakarta