Success and support go hand in hand

A student’s success is directly proportional to the amount of support he or she feels and receives. Students in general, but especially ones who are new to the country and experience a bit of a language barrier, may be hesitant to reach out to adults for fear of not being understood. This is where, as a host parent, you step in to provide direction and assess what level of support, whether academically or otherwise, is required. Building a support plan for all parts of your host student’s life helps to ensure they are getting the resources and attention they need. Take action early and often to mitigate any issues that may arise and provide your student as much opportunity for success as possible.

Work with your student’s academic counselor and teachers to devise a network of individuals that can be called upon at a moment’s notice for academic support. Make sure everyone is on the same page and communicate regularly. Compile a list of tools and resources (i.e. translation dictionaries, tutors, helpful websites, video tutorials, cheatsheets and workbooks) he or she can access when working on homework and projects. Stock his or her workspace with these items; replenish and add-on throughout the year.