Interviewing host families
From AFSWiki
Contents |
Overview
The family interview should be scheduled at a time when all members of hosting family can be present and expect to be free from interruption for about an hour. The purpose of the interview is explain to the family their responsibilities, responsibilities of the exchange student, answer questions they may have, and evaluate whether the family is likely to have a successful hosting experience. (work needed here!)
Best Practices
- Bring a digital camera. Families often don't have a "good" recent picture that includes all family members.
- Have the family complete the Form A prior to scheduling the interview, both to confirm their interest and to get some background information about the family.
- It may be better to complete the interview before discussing candidate exchange students. If the interview does not result in a positive recommendation for hosting, it is easier to disengage if the family is not already expecting a particular student. If the interviewer is satisfied that the family will provide a good hosting environment, and if the family agrees they want to host, the interviewer may be prepared to discuss a couple of candidate students, or may tell the family that the hosting coordinator will follow up with them to match them with a student.
- The interviewer should review Form D prior to interviewing. This will help the interviewer observe and ask about issues required for completing the Form D.
- A good rule of thumb is whether this is an environment you would feel comfortable placing your own son or daughter in.
- Sample Host Family Interview Questions
Next Steps
- Completing the Host Family Application
- Matching families to students
Host Family Interviewer Kit
This kit contains the updated "How to Interview Host Families for AFS Programs" as well as many other optional interviewing resources.
- How to Interview Host Families for AFS Programs
- Cover letter to the host family interviewer
- Host Family Handbook
- Host Family Letter - background checks
- FAQs about background checks
- Assessing the Host Family
- Host Family Self Assessment
Resources
- Legacy AFS document How to interview host families
