Foriegn Student Exchange Scams?

Question

Has anyone fallen prey to a foreign exchange student scam? Doe anyone have realistic criteria, based on experience, that legitimizes or does not legitimize a foreign exchange student program? We are considering being a host family and want to make sure that this is legitamite, so in addition to checking our bases with the school, I want to know if anyonw has been through this or has red herrings for scams like this?

Answer 1

I haven’t heard of many scams but my family and I have hosted exchange students for the past 5 years and have had a wonderful experience each year.

We use CCI (Center for Cultural Interchange) and they have always provided us with respectful, smart, and enthusiastic exchange students. Sometimes, though it didn't happen to us, exchange students who come through a legitimate program end up being exchange students for the wrong reasons or end up not being compatible with host families. In situations like this students may be studying abroad just to party or to have a girlfriend/boyfriend (this happened with a friend of mine who hosted) or they end up maxing out their credit card. But these and other situations like this are rare.

It’s important to know that with most companies, at least here in the US; host parents do not receive money for hosting. They are doing it on a volunteer basis and are expected to provide a home where the student will be treated like one of the family. Some host families who take in exchange students for the wrong reason often think that they are there to be a maid and watch the kids. Though exchange students should help with household chores or possibly babysit on occasion, they are there as your temporary child and should be treated as such.

I'm not sure if I answered your question as you hoped it would be but I do hope I helped. My family and I have hosted 7 exchange students from around the world and have thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope you do too if you decide to host.