What should you expect as a Southwestern Advantage Host Family?
Meals: Students will provide their own meals. Monday through Saturday a student will go to breakfast at a local restaurant to prepare for the day ahead as well as fellowship with roommates. They pack their own lunch and fix dinner when they return at night. Some host families choose to provide warm meals for college students, although it is not required. A student really only needs some spare cupboard space and a spot in the fridge where they will keep their food.
Schedule: Students wake up early during the summer, usually 6:00 or 6:30 a.m. From Monday through Saturday, students begin visiting area families at around 8 a.m. and work until dark, typically 8:30-9:30 p.m. On Sundays, students attend day-long motivational meetings with other students from their school and have time to worship at church, reflect, or just relax.
Chores: Students should clean up after themselves in the kitchen, bathroom, and other common areas. Students should also clean their own living area and do their own laundry.
Transportation: Students provide their own transportation.
Rent: Rent amount is agreed upon between the students and host family. In 2008, students on average paid $25 a week each, but this could vary widely. A typical Southwestern Advantage host family houses between 2 and 4 students depending on their space.
Rules and Responsibilities
The best way to have an awesome experience with students is to let them know the "Rules of the House" before they ever move in. Get off to a good start by explaining family rules as soon as the students arrive.
Ideas of topics to discuss
- Clear understanding of the students’ schedule and procedure if students will be varying from the schedule.
- Understanding of how the house runs—i.e. security, locking doors, trash day, laundry
schedule.
- Rent—when it is due, format for payment, and amount.
- Policy of having other student dealers spend the night.
Host Family Commitment
Host families provide a clean and safe environment for students with reasonable use of bathroom and kitchen facilities. If a problem arises due to a misunderstanding of your routines, tell the students openly but tactfully what you wish to see happen. Open communication with the host family liaison and leaders of the students is also essential. We are available to assist you in answering questions to help you solve any problems which may arise.