Michigan Lutheran High School International Student Housing Policy Agreement - Homestay

Cost

Housingcostsaredeterminedonayearlybasis.Thisfeemustbepaidwithtuitionpaymentstothebusinessofficeaccordingtothetermslistedonthebillingstatement.

Rulesforstudents

  1. StudentsareexpectedtocomplywithallschoolrulesasoutlinedintheMLHSStudentHandbook.
  2. SchoolattendanceismandatoryandisarequirementoftheF-1visa.
  3. Adescriptionandlistingofallprescriptionandover-the-counterand/orholisticmedicationsmustbeprovidedtohostfamiliesuponarrival.
  4. Allnon-prescriptionmedications(ie;overthecounter,holistic,herbalremedies)mustbeaccompaniedbyinstructionsinEnglish.
  5. Drinkingofalcoholicbeveragesandtheuseofillegaldrugsareprohibited.
  6. Theuseandpossessionofalltobaccoproductsisprohibitedontheschoolcampus.Studentsareexpectedtocomplywiththehostfamily’spreferencesfortobaccouseintheirhome.
  7. Studentsmustcomplywithallhostfamilyregulations(curfews,rules,chores,etc.).
  8. Studentsarediscouragedfromborrowingmoneyfromhostfamilymembers.Itisrecommendedthatstudentsopenalocalbankaccountoruseacreditcardfortheirpurchases.
  9. Itisrecommendthateachstudenthaveaccesstoapproximately$250inexpensemoneypermonth.This amount shouldcoverthecostofattendingschool-sponsored events,purchasing optional schoollunches,schoolsupplies,clothing,personalitems,medical expenses, and any other items not deemed a normal and necessary aspect of living with a host family.
  10. Studentsare expectedtocomplywith thehostfamily’spreferences for speakingEnglishinthehome.
  11. WhileenrolledasanI-20studentatMLHS,allstudentsareunderthejurisdictionoflocal,stateandfederallawsandmustobeyallgovernmentallaws,includingthoseregardingimmigrationstatus.
  12. Studentsarenotpermittedtotravelindependentlyduringtheirenrollmentregardlessofage.Travelispermittedonlyifaccompaniedbyanapprovedadultorwithanorganizedgroup.SchoolapprovalmustbeobtainedfromtheInternationalAdvisor.Permissionalsoisnecessaryfromthehostfamilyand,uponoccasion,fromthestudent’snaturalparents.Foranyreason,ifthestudentplanstoexittheUnitedStates,anewtravelI-20mustbereceivedfromthePDSO.
  13. Studentswillberesponsibleforallchargesincurredduringatemporarylivingsituationuntileitheralternativehost family arrangementsaremadeorthestudentreturnshome.Shouldthisoccur prior to the conclusion of an academic year,thestudentforfeitsthebalanceofthehousingfee.

LengthofHomestay

  1. A host family’s agreement to host a student is for one academic year. By mutual agreement between family and student, this term may be extended into a second year or more. A student’s conduct may impact this decision.
  2. Students are responsible for securing their housing during subsequent school years in one of two ways: 1) to pursue housing elsewhere with another host family or, 2) by mutual agreement, remain with the original host family.
  3. Students and host families are encouraged first to attempt to resolve disagreements directly with one another. If insufficient progress results, students and families are directed to approach the International Advisor for assistance.
  4. Students in violation of host family rules may be asked by the family to leave the home and to find alternative living arrangements. The student is then responsible for securing subsequent arrangements under the direction of the PDSO. Difficulty in securing suitable arrangements may result in the student having to return to his/her home country and the consequential termination of the F-1 visa.
  5. Alternative host family placements may be caused by one of the following:
  1. Arealorimpliedthreat ofharmtowardthestudent,
  2. Hostfamilyaltersthetermsoftheoriginalhomestayagreement,
  3. Changestohostfamilycircumstances,
  4. Hostfamilyisunabletocontinuehostingthestudentduetofamilycircumstancesnotcausedbythestudent,
  5. Studentdisciplinaryproblemsorongoingbehavioralproblems,
  6. OtherreasonsdeemedplausiblebytheInternational Advisor.
  1. The pro-rated portion of the housing payment will be forwarded to the student’s new host family.

DisciplinaryAction

Intheeventthatastudentmustberemovedfromahomestayfordisciplinaryreasons(e.g.,substanceabuse,breakinghouserules,theft ofproperty,continuingconflictsorverbalabusetowardafamilymember,physicalabusetoanypersonsorproperty,etc.),he/shewillbeplacedwithatemporaryhostfamily.Duringthattime,arrangementswillbefinalizedeitherforthestudenttolivewithanewhostfamilyortoreturnhomepermanently.

ViolationoftheseandotherrulesoutlinedintheStudentHandbookmayresultintheimmediateandpermanentdismissalofthestudentfromtheprogram. MLHSalso reservestherightto terminatea student’sF-1 visaifthestudent’sphysicalormental healthis deemedtobeatrisk,asdeterminedbyMLHS.

Ihavereadthisagreementandwillabidebythesepolicies.

Student SignatureDate

Parent SignatureDate

Michigan Lutheran High School

615 East Marquette Woods Rd.

St. Joseph, MI 49085

1.269.429.7861, x 211

Revised February 2013