Host an International Student
Each year, West Catholic welcomes dozens of international students to experience life and learning in the United States. We invite you to be part of this adventure by opening your heart and home to serve as a host family!
If you are interested in becoming a host family or simply want to learn more, contact Leann Garrison at 616-233-5938 or leanngarrison@grwestcatholic.org.
Host parents receive a monthly stipend ranging from $500 – $700 to offset additional expenses for food or gas. In addition, $1,000 will be waived from your child’s tuition at West Catholic or set aside for an international, school-sponsored trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Considering becoming a host family but still have some questions? Please read the FAQs to learn more about the hosting process. For more information, please feel free to contact International Program Coordinator Leann Garrison at leanngarrison@grwestcatholic.org or 616-233-5938.
What are the requirements to be able to host?
You simply need to be interested in having an international student join your family for a period of time (usually a semester or full year). You must have a separate bed for the student, although he or she can share a bedroom with another child in your home. There is an application that includes a background check on the members of the household for security purposes. The family can be just a single parent or married parents.
What is the monthly stipend the families receive?
The stipend varies depending on the agency that has brought the student to West Catholic. Typically the stipend ranges from $500 – $700 per month to offset any additional expenses for food or gas. In addition, West Catholic supports our international students and host families by waiving $1,000 from your child’s tuition at West Catholic. If you prefer, instead of reducing your son or daughter’s tuition by $1,000, you can choose to have the school set aside $1,000 to go toward one of the West Catholic school-sponsored trips to Italy, Spain, Out West or any other school-sponsored trip of your choosing.
What are the costs that are expected to be provided?
Host families are expected to feed the student and make sure they get to and from school. Other expenses such as busing, school lunches, uniforms, phones and participation in sports are paid for by the student’s natural parent.
How long is the commitment to host a student?
Typically the commitment is for one year, unless the student only plans to stay for one semester. International students are here for the 10 months of the school year and go home in the summer.
Can I connect with the student or family before they arrive in the fall?
Yes! Once the placement has been confirmed we encourage you to connect with the student and family throughout the summer.
What if my family needs to take a vacation or is out of town for a weekend or longer?
Occasionally families need to travel and are not able to take their host child with them. In situations such as this, the student’s agent and the West Catholic International Coordinator will work together to find a temporary home for the student while you are traveling. If you are taking a family vacation and choose to take your host child with you, that is perfectly fine as well.
How are disciplinary situations handled?
At home, the host parents should discipline the international student the same way they would discipline their own children. For example, many parents have a rule that there are no cell phones at the table, international students should follow this rule as well. At school, the international student will follow all of the school rules as do American West Catholic students. However, the International Coordinator will also assist the families and students work through any issues that arise.
Are there opportunities for the international students to travel or have special experiencesds?
We have three cultural trips each year that international students will go on. In the past, we have visited Chicago, Crystal Mountain and Saugatuck, among others.
Are international students allowed to get jobs while they are here?
No, they are not allowed to work in high school based on the type of visa they have.