By on November 23rd, 2014

Host an International Exchange Student for the UC Irvine Extension Program

Do you live in Irvine, CA? Are you considering how your life would benefit from hosting an exchange student? If you are considering going through the process of hosting an international exchange student, the UC Irvine Extension program offers some great programs for exchange students and Universal Student Housing can place them with your family. You can find out about student placement and becoming qualified for being a host family through working with a field representative from USH.

Programs Offered by UC Irvine Extension

The University of California Irvine was founded in 1965, and since that time, it has become renowned for being a major research university. Starting in 1979, the school has offered university-level students the chance to learn English, prepare for academic advancement and post-graduate programs. Families that provide a home for international students are not only influencing the future of that student, but there are many rewards to the family themselves.

Why UC Irvine?

When you decide to work with USH to become a host family you will receive all the support needed to host an UC Irvine student. Not only will your family have access to the benefits of working with our trained staff, but the college also provides extra ongoing support for students. A student attending UC Irvine’s Extension program will have access to extra guidance and support, enjoy smaller class sizes and get the chance to network with other exchange students.

Why Host?

If you’ve always wanted to get the experience of another culture, but living abroad is not an option, consider hosting a foreign exchange student. Hosting an international student can prove to be an unparalleled experience in cultural education. Your family can learn about a new language, way of life and different customs through hosting an exchange student.

Cultivate Better Relationships

Unlike being with one of your friends, being with an international exchange student is entirely different. Adapting to life with an exchange student can take some getting used to for both parties. People from different parts of the world embrace a totally different lifestyle, set of values and cultural methodologies. Through hosting a student attending college at UC Irvine, your family can learn more about culture, help a student learn better communication and the experience can teach your own family more about being flexible, cooperative and compassionate.

See Life through a New Lens

One of the main benefits of hosting an exchange student is that it gives your family a chance to see life through the eyes of another. Your student will be coming from a foreign country and not have any idea what they’re being faced with upon arriving in America. It is exactly like what your family is going through, but on a different level. The things we take for granted here in America may be fascinating and brand new to a foreign exchange student. As much as your student is enjoying America, sit back and watch how much joy and excitement they get from just doing and seeing new things.

Become a Host Family

Although the process to become a host family might seem lengthy and difficult, at USH we make it simple and the effort is worth it all. You can find many different hosting organizations online, but be sure to select one that offers to place you with a student whose dreams and goals you can nurture and support. At USH, we strive to make the host process as streamlined as possible and to provide ongoing support for both our students and our families.

Becoming a host family allows your family to learn about a new culture and to see life through the eyes of someone who is directly benefitted from your influence.