IHC RESPONSIBILITIES

• IHC will place foreign visitors within a suitable Chinese family by matching the needs and wants of both parties. We will do our best to avoid any possible mismatches and agree to relocate the visitor if any unforeseeable, unmanageable complications arise. However, we will first work to solve any problems that might arise before moving homes. Program fees are not refundable. In the event that any problems do arise, IHC will be available to both parties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
  
• IHC will personally pick up and deliver each guest to their host family’s home with translation help and personal introduction between the hours of 8am and 7pm. This includes airport pickup, hotel transfer, and home-to-home transfer. After hour transfers can be arranged in certain cases, but will generally cost 350RMB.
  
  
• IHC will maintain consistent communication with applicants and families alike in a professional, honest, and timely fashion throughout the entire application and Homestay process. If any problems occur before the Homestay period, IHC will promptly contact both parties with any and all available information. IHC’s staff is reachable 24 hours a day and international emails will be answered within 24 hours.



• IHC agrees to provide the following (but not limited to): at least 1 meal a day, 1 cell phone with SIM and RMB 100 credit to use during your stay (can accept international calls free of charge), transportation card with RMB 50 credit, personal airport pickup and transfer, map and orientation packet, personal introduction to family with translation assistance, monthly lodging, introduction to language partner, and IHC’s continued support and consultation throughout your entire stay.

HOST FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The host family is expected to be honest, mature, fair, and respectful of their visitors’ customs, habits, privacy, and needs. They should maintain an eager and helpful attitude. They are expected to provide a clean and safe environment for their visitor to live in.
  
  
• The host family is expected to provide a home with one clean room and a bed, internet connection, local land-line phone, TV, washing machine, a clean bathroom with western toilets, heat/air conditioning, 24 hour hot water, and at least one meal per day. An extra key should also be provided for the visitor for the length of his/her stay.
  
  
• The host family should have at least a basic conversational knowledge of English and should be able to communicate basic functions and daily conversations with their guest.
  
  
• The host family should have at least a basic conversational knowledge of English and should be able to communicate basic functions and daily conversations with their guest.
  
  
• The host family should engage in an active cultural/language exchange with their visitor. There should be an attempt to introduce and engage the visitor in Chinese culture, customs, and language in so far as the visitor is comfortable.



• The host family is expected to communicate any and all problems they might have with both IHC and their respective visitors. This will help us to ensure both parties’ satisfaction.

VISITOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Visitors are expected to be honest, mature, fair, and respectful of IHC’s policies, Chinese laws & customs, and government regulations, including making all VISA and travel arrangements prior to arrival into and throughout their entire stay in China. Anyone who fails to do so is subject to removal from the program without a refund. Furthermore, visitors should be polite and respectful of their individual family’s customs, and should make an attempt to willingly exchange information about their home country’s language and culture with the host family. Foreign visitors should also observe their family’s sleeping, work, school, etc. schedules and act in a way as not to disrupt them.
  
  
• The visitor is expected to communicate any and all problems they might have with both IHC and their respective families before, during, and after the program. This will help us to ensure both you and your family’s satisfaction.
  
  
• In order to receive Airport transfer, visitors’ flights are expected to arrive into Beijing International Airport between the hours of 8am and 7pm. Special arrangements can be made for all other flights for an additional charge of 350RMB. IHC will provide emailed instructions prior to departure on how to take a taxi to recommended accommodations with thorough directions in Chinese and English as well as contact phone numbers.

EXPECTATIONS WHEN WITH THE FAMILY

Chinese families can be some of the warmest and most welcoming people alive. Living and interacting with them is hands down the best way to experience China’s unique & vibrant culture. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and share with them about your own culture. Moving in will most definitely be an extremely stimulating process for you, and the families fully hope that you will become a part of their family unit. In order to ensure this happens smoothly, you should observe the following guidelines. While no formal teaching is required, you will be expected to offer your help and tutoring with either English or your mother tongue when necessary, mostly during normal conversation. This is true for any and all of IHC’s home-stay programs.


• Know and respect the family’s work, school, and sleep schedules.
  
  
• Don’t bring home any member of the opposite sex to stay the night without first clearing it with the family. This includes boyfriends and girlfriends.


• Be conscious of daily habits and try to help out with everyday chores.


• Share with them the different aspects of your native language and culture.


• Home stays are not a hotel / hostel. Try to avoid simply coming and going when you please.

All in all, just try to be polite and have a helpful / cheerful attitude. The more you put into the program, the better everyone’s experience will be!