http://ohioexchange.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/host-family-experiences/ ...One friendship at a time Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:59:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://ohioexchange.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/host-family-experiences/#comment-3 starkey15 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:59:35 +0000 http://ohioexchange.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-3 When we found CCI, we looked for volunteer opportunities that were highly rated and found them. I can't find the website we used now, but I can give you a link to important information for finding approved programs. http://www.csiet.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=66167&orgId=cosfiet This is the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. You'll see that CCI has been given a full listing on the advisory list. In the "About CSIET" section, you'll also want to check out their standards. Another informative site for choosing a program is http://www.foreignexchangestudent.com/find-a-winning-student-exchange-program.htm, although they do not specifically mention CCI, they do list ways of finding a good, reputable company. I can also let you know that we are very pleased with CCI. We completed a questionaire, a home interview, and mandatory criminal background checks before being approved to host a student. CCI insured that the school would accept the student and gave us plenty of information, including rules and guidelines, signs for recognizing culture shock and helping a student over come it, as well as an orientation. We also received information about the student's home country and a copy of the questionaire (complete with pictures) that she completed when applying for the program. We had plenty of contact with our student before her arrival through email and a couple short phone calls. I think this helped everyone feel more comfortable. I hope this is helpful for you and sets your parents' minds at ease. When we found CCI, we looked for volunteer opportunities that were highly rated and found them. I can’t find the website we used now, but I can give you a link to important information for finding approved programs. http://www.csiet.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=66167&orgId=cosfiet
This is the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. You’ll see that CCI has been given a full listing on the advisory list. In the “About CSIET” section, you’ll also want to check out their standards. Another informative site for choosing a program is http://www.foreignexchangestudent.com/find-a-winning-student-exchange-program.htm, although they do not specifically mention CCI, they do list ways of finding a good, reputable company.
I can also let you know that we are very pleased with CCI. We completed a questionaire, a home interview, and mandatory criminal background checks before being approved to host a student. CCI insured that the school would accept the student and gave us plenty of information, including rules and guidelines, signs for recognizing culture shock and helping a student over come it, as well as an orientation. We also received information about the student’s home country and a copy of the questionaire (complete with pictures) that she completed when applying for the program. We had plenty of contact with our student before her arrival through email and a couple short phone calls. I think this helped everyone feel more comfortable.
I hope this is helpful for you and sets your parents’ minds at ease.

]]> http://ohioexchange.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/host-family-experiences/#comment-2 Cory Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:16:48 +0000 http://ohioexchange.wordpress.com/?p=4#comment-2 hi i know this is kind of random but I'm a student that wants to participate in a CCI program and my parents are very worried that it might be unsafe or a scam...with good reason of coarse because many of these programs are..but do you have any references that are not affiliated with CCI that says it is a safe program? thank you so much for any information you can give me!!! hi i know this is kind of random but I’m a student that wants to participate in a CCI program and my parents are very worried that it might be unsafe or a scam…with good reason of coarse because many of these programs are..but do you have any references that are not affiliated with CCI that says it is a safe program? thank you so much for any information you can give me!!!

]]>