FAQ

Most KoAm host families are families with one or more children attending a KoAm member school. Some families are members of the church or parish that supports a member school or have someone in the family working in the participating school. Host families are familiar with school rules, on-going school activities, and are able to commute to the school together.

Any English-speaking family with an open, loving heart! Our host families should have no criminal record or substance use. Since the students are here to learn American culture and language, the family needs to be native English speakers in the home.

There are no financial obligations! The exchange students take care of all expenses including round-trip airline tickets, complete medical insurance, school tuition & fees, and personal spending money for the duration of their stay. Any additional expenses will be reimbursed promptly. In addition, exchange students show appreciation to host families with a monetary gift.

All KoAm students are conversational and able to communicate in English. Our screening process guarantees a certain level of English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Some students may not be at an optimal level of English proficiency but may have been accepted into the program because they demonstrated traits conducive to quick learning. You’ll be surprised how quickly our students’ English improve during the program!

Host families provide students with a place to sleep, meals, transportation for school and extracurricular activities, and loving, supportive home life. They welcome students as members of their own families and encourage students to participate in all aspects of their family life.

Host families may request what they are looking for in a student. KoAm takes this into account and matches students and families based on many different factors to ensure compatibility. Once they are matched, host families and students get to know each other via phone calls, video chats, etc. Host families then decide if they are happy with the match.

In short, no, although there have been exceptions. KoAm believes in the total immersion of the exchange student into American culture, therefore placing one student per family per classroom. Having another or many Korean-speaking peers in the family or classroom may slow down the learning experience. However, host families are encouraged to host as many times as they please.

KoAm offers a wide variety of programs, ranging from a few weeks to a few years. Host families can choose what program they would like. For those families uncomfortable with a long commitment, we recommend the Short Visit program as a trial run. Host families may host as many times as they please.

KoAm looks for families with strong family values who are interested in education and global exchange. An ideal family recognizes cultural differences as neither good nor bad, but different. They share common characteristics, such as closeness among family members, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to learn, grow, and expand their points-of-view. KoAm matches students with families with compatible personalities, interests, and hobbies.

Yes! KoAm Area Coordinators serve their local KoAm community – exchange students, host families, schools, and the KoAm community. These coordinators regularly check in throughout the exchange and are available for any questions or concerns.

On the rare occasion that a student isn’t adjusting well, the Area Coordinator will work with the host family to resolve the situation. However, if the problem persists after the concerted effort of all parties involved, KoAm will either find a different setting for that student or have them return to Korea.