Quest International

Key Suggestions for Developing a Successful Homestay Program at Your School

2012-02-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

With an influx in the number of exchange students entering the US on an F-1 visa, schools are increasingly realizing the need to develop homestay programs. Hosting an exchange student can bring a lifetime of benefits for an American family seeking an international experience in their own home. Below are a few key suggestions on how to find and attract host families – both in your schools and in your communities – who are best suited for the nuanced experience of hosting an international student.

1.Exchange students are teenagers.There is no way around this.

Shayna Ferullo
F-1 Program Director
Quest International

Make sure the family has realistic expectations about the hosting experience. We often receive applications where the family thinks they will receive a fairy from Spain who will teach them how to speak Spanish and how to cook paella. While intercultural exchange is certainly part of the experience, host families need to know that they are hosting a teenager. That means: rolling eyes, sighs of annoyance, forgetfulness and disobedience (especially related to chores), and disrespect at times. Families that have lived through the teenage years with their own children will know what to expect, while other families may need a reminder.

2. A stipend should never be treated as income.

We appreciate that, for F-1 students, we can offer a stipend to offset the sometimes large costs of hosting. That said, families that are motivated to host by the idea of earning a few bucks are not suitable to host. During the screening process, it should be stated, and then restated – 200 times – that the stipend is a gesture of gratitude and cannot be counted on as income. Stipends should be high enough to be considered a true gesture of gratitude, but low enough so that it does not entice money-motivated host family applicants.

3. School families often times make the best families. But not always.

We love when our students are placed in families that either have children attending the school or are affiliated with the school. This arrangement is often preferred because our exchange students will be connected to school events. However, this is not always the best arrangement for the international student. We have seen such placements go sour – and be awkward, at best. Don’t discount prospective host parents that may apply from outside of the school community, especially if they share similar interests as the exchange student or have another (albeit loose) connection to your school.

Do you have a successful homestay population in your school? Interested in starting one at your school or in your greater community? Share your ideas, thoughts, and comments here.

International Youth Exchange 2010-2011

2011-12-29T15:54:00.000-08:00

Becoming an exchange student opens up your eyes

2011-12-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

I think that becoming an exchange student is a wonderful opportunity to explore a new culture, language, and people. I am from Tunisia and have had the chance to study in France and the United-States. These experiences have really made a difference in my life.
Living in France was a wonderful experience in terms of exploring the country's history, art, gastronomy and architecture. Paris is one of the most amazing cities I have ever lived in. It is just a fascinating and vibrating city with so many people from different cultures. An amazing feeling I had there was when I would walk these thousands years old Parisian streets, where you could feel that history has really shaped everything surrounding you. All the people I met there enriched my social experience and made me more tolerant.
Living in the United States has also been a great experience, I have lived in San Francisco, California for 4 years now. This city has similarities with Paris in terms of cultural diversity. Its hippy culture is one of the most interesting things I have discovered and the people are so open-minded, even more than in Paris.
Living abroad can be difficult but it can really open your eyes. For instance, leaving my parents made me realize how much I love and care about them. It has also made me stronger and more mature.
Overall, no matter where you choose to study abroad, you will always learn many things about the other's culture in which you live. You will become more independent, tolerant, and more appreciative of what you have and what life gave you.

Written by: Taysir El Abed

Quest Hangs with Students and Their Families!

2011-09-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Getting to know our exchange students is what Quest is all about! We want to make sure that we engage with all of our students and ensure they are having a great experience studying in the U.S. This week, we checked in with student Su Hwan Kim and his dad Sung Lee. What a great time!

Sung Li with Quest team members Shayna, Katie and Eric.

Tips for Making Friends in the U.S.

2011-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Americans are extremely friendly people. They are outgoing, polite, will say hello when they meet someone new, and will always ask you how you are doing... However, it is sometimes confusing for foreigners to understand that people in the U.S. seem so friendly up front when you are not actually close with them. Often, foreigners may think that Americans can be superficial in their interactions, but this is not the case at all! Initial friendliness or inquiry about your day is just the American way of being polite or saying hello, even if it does not always indicate a deeper connection. In the U.S., people often use the phrase "being acquaintances" to describe this sort of interaction with people you know but not very well. An acquaintance is someone you have literally just "become acquainted with". You probably see them in your daily day and they will always greet you, but they have not yet become a genuine friend of yours. In the school setting, acquaintances often form because of the fact that throughout a day, students in American schools will be in many different classes with entirely different groups of people all day long, so it is important to be friendly with all the people around you, but it is nearly impossible to become friends with everyone. In America, if you would like to make a new friend and really get to know someone, you just have to be assertive about it. Putting in the effort to build a close relationship with them is something you will never regret!

American Customs

2011-09-15T16:02:00.001-07:00

The U.S. is a incredible place made up of people from all over the world and customs different from any other country. As a foreign exchange student, it may at times to be difficult to know how to do something "The American Way". So, here are a few tips to help you fit the part of being a student in America!

Greeting: Americans are less intimate in greeting each other than people from other countries. While many Europeans, for example, greet people they know or even people they have just met with a kiss on each cheek, Americans generally greet each other with just a simple handshake to say hello. Females, close friends, and family members usually hug upon meeting. Males, even that know each other very well, might still just shake hands - or they often have a special combination of a handshake and a shoulder pat hug for just their close male friends.

Being on time: Americans are very timely! It is considered quite rude to be late to meet a friend, go to an appointment, or be in class. The one exception is at a party, where people may start to arrive up to an hour after the time the party started - a concept known as being "fashionably late".

Alcohol and cigarrettes: In the United States, people must be 18 to buy cigarettes, and 21 to buy alcohol. This means that people younger than this would never be seen socializing at a bar or a club like they might be in other parts of the world. To entertain themselves, young people often go to drink coffee together, grab a smoothie, hit up the mall, or go to the movies.

Sports: Lots of young students in the U.S. are on a sports team at their school. For American students, this is a great way to make close friends and have a group of fun people to hang out with. Sports events are very important for schools, too. Students and teachers gather to watch their school's teams play, making an event to bring everyone together.

Holidays: Americans LOVE holidays - they celebrate not just their own, but also holidays of other countries! In the United States, people do everything from celebrating St. Patricks Day (a typical Irish holiday) by dressing all in green and shamrocks, to Cinco de Mayo (Mexican independence day) by eating Mexican food and wearing sombreros.

The most important thing to know, is that Americans are very open people! So, even if you don't learn all of the customs in the U.S., you will be well received by all of the new people around you.

Quest Student Joshken is Making Headlines!

2011-09-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

Quest students are studying hard all over the United States this school year! Each one of them brings their unique personalities and international cultures to other students, host families, and communities throughout the country. International students add diversity to a plethora of schools that, because of them, are learning about parts of the world they have never before experienced! Joshken is one of our amazing students from Thailand - he is attending 7th grade at Community Christian School. Quest is so excited for Joshken to be the first of hopefully many international students at Community Christian School! The principal was kind enough to share with us this great newspaper bit about how well Joshken is doing at his new school - check out that grin!

BEGONIAS PART 5: An Incredible Festival

2011-09-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Capitola Begonia Festival held this weekend was quite the event! 7 teams competed for the prize of best begonia-covered float, but the BOB team that was supporting Quest impressed everyone with their Ballet at the Beach float, taking in the first prize! The win will allow Quest to award a deserving student with a scholarship to study in the US, so we are all very proud and excited about the float-building victory!

A beautiful morning with fields full of begonias.

All colors of the rainbow represented!

Quest President Lisa Laviolette hard at work!

Quest was very grateful for all of the volunteers.

Can you find Viggo?

Lisa shooting us a smile.

Collin risking a swim to put on a few last begonias.

Almost ready!

Quest marketing intern Ty showing his support.

All of our hardworking ballerinas.

The whole team!

A little dance.

Smiling for a proud BOB victory!

The ballerina muse.

We are all so happy for the victory that will allow a foreign student to come to the US!

BEGONIAS PART 4: Checking out the competition!

2011-09-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

The BOB team was an impressive contender at the Capitola Begonia Festival this weekend! We must admit, however, that the competition was definitely bringing their A-game as well. Here are the other floats and teams we were up against:

Rock Around the Clock

Jungle Boogie

Hoedown on the River

Spirit of Dance

My Thai on the Beach

Capitola Locomotion

BEGONIAS PART 3: Under Construction...

2011-09-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Building a float is serious business! The BOB team has been busy crafting the perfect begonia-covered float all week. The float must be built and covered in faux flowers, all to be attached and removed in order to replace them with begonias on the day of competition! Here is a little recap of the team's progress:

STEP 1: SET IT UP!

Crafting table to cut all of the wooden pieces for the inside of the float.

Definitely mean business with this device used to cut wood supports.

Chicken wire for around the feet, color-coded for flowers.

STEP 2: PIECE EVERYTHING TOGETHER...

Every piece cut and measured to perfection.

Volunteers of all ages getting involved in this project for this good cause!

Lisa Laviolette showing her support!

It's all coming together...

STEP 3: PREPARE FOR THE FLOWERS!

A "B" for Begonia of course.

Lisa hard at work!

Flowers for the sides of the float.

The foot is up!

BEGONIAS PART 2: Begonia Float Building Begins!

2011-09-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

The Capitola Begonia Festival is fast approaching, and this week the Hammer Family team spent many laborious hours planning and executing the construction of an extremely impressive begonia-covered float. The team has cleverly named themselves Begonias on the Beach (BOB), and is titling the float "Ballet at the Beach".

Ballet at the Beach will be an image of two ballerina feet dancing. The float will be manned with three handsome guys clad in tutus and army boots, the perfect way to complete the dainty ballerina image! The ballerina feet were crafted out of a replica of Quest president Lisa Laviolette's actual feet! The BOB team made a mold out of Lisa's feet and then used extensive measurements, calculations, and computer programming to create an exact 6-foot copy for the float.

The initial design for the Ballet on the Beach.

Casting the foot.

Lisa's foot!

First steps to the creation of the 6-foot tall ballerina version of Lisa's foot.

BEGONIAS PART 1: Quest Gets Involved with Capitola Begonia Festival!

2011-09-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Capitola, California is the original birthplace of the Pacific Begonia. This beautiful flower was the catalyst for the development of the historic Capitola Begonia Festival. The festival is a celebration of the begonia flower that has taken place every summer since the 1950's - it is a time for festivities, delicious foods, dance, music, and most importantly, float building!

Every year, ambitious float building teams gather to craft an amazing array of begonia-inspired floats for competition. The floats are judged based on 5 categories: theme development, originality of design, floral coverage, effective use of flowers, and showmanship. The winning float will be awarded a cash prize that may be donated to a charitable foundation or non-profit.

This year, Quest is very excited and appreciative to be the nominated as the non-profit recipient of any prize awarded to the float designed by the Hammer Family float-building team! If the Hammer Family float wins, Quest will create a scholarship to enable an international student to come to the United States to study. We are all very excited for this opportunity, and we're crossing our fingers for float prize domination!

CHECK IT OUT!
http://www.begoniafestival.com/index.html

Choosing a University in the US: Rural vs. Urban?

2011-08-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

The US offers an immense variety of options for international students who are hoping to attend an American University. Students may pick from small schools in rural areas, to larger schools in big cities, and everything in between. The location of a university has a huge impact on not only the educational experience that a student has, but also the social dynamic they will see, the people they will meet, and the post-graduate work environment that they will be exposed to. So, here is an analysis of the two, to help a student evaluate if a university in an urban environment or a rural environment would suit their needs better.

Urban: Urban universities are located in cities around the US. Attending this type of university, you can expect:

Generally relatively large schools
Schools that are known for programs in business, law, and international languages
Convenient public transportation
Extensive internship and job opportunities
Big business locations
Higher cost of living and housing
Higher cost of tuition
Large amount of majors to choose from
Fast pace of life
Importance of university sports teams and sporting events
Many options for fun activities, entertainment, art, culture, and music
Variety of spoken languages
Larger class sizes
Large amount of international people and students

Rural: Rural universities, on the other hand, are located in the more remote areas of the US. Attending this type of university, you can expect:

Relatively small-sized schools
Small towns where university students make up a significant amount of the population
Schools that are known for programs in agriculture, sciences, and nature
More calm pace of life
Lower cost of living and housing
Lower cost of tuition
Close contact and accessibility of staff and other students
More limited amount of majors to choose from
Friendly, small town people
More homogenous populations
Small campuses with a community feel
Individual attention to students
Smaller class sizes
Opportunities to explore nature and outdoor activities

Wherever you may end up, if you have motivation and a good attitude, you will also achieve success. Nonetheless, it is always important to consider where you will find yourself more comfortable in order to find this success!

SO MANY AMERICAN SITES TO SEE!

2011-08-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Coming to the United States as an exchange student is an incredible opportunity to see some of the amazing sites that the country has to offer. No matter where you may be going to studying in the US, there will be something in your neck of the woods or within traveling distance that you will not be able to pass up seeing! Here are a few of the good ones:

The Statue of Liberty: Colossal statue located in New York City, originally given to the US by France.

Times Square: Bustling part of New York City, flooded with stores, lights, billboards, and people from around the world.

Niagara Falls: Gorgeous waterfalls bordering Canada and the US.

The Grand Canyon: A geographically incredible region of Arizona shaped by beautiful canyons and scenery.

The Washington Memorial: Monument in Washington D.C. created to commemorate President Washington.

The Golden Gate Bridge: Scenic bridge full of bike riders, tourists, and San Franciscans alike.

Fisherman's Wharf: Well-known attraction in San Francisco bustling with people viewing shops, enjoying the waterfront, and filling up restaurants.

The Space Needle: Unique feature of the Seattle skyline with a view of the entire city, originally created for exposition in the World Fair.

Yosemite National Park: Awe-inspiring national park located in California.

The Plaza: Unique part of Kansas City, designed with architecture, tiles, and fountains to portray Seville, Spain.

Walt Disney World: Located in Orlando, Florida, a must see for any fun-going student.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Ideal location in Colorado for camping, hiking, and outdoor activity.

Quest Family Enjoys American Traditions!

2011-08-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

Quest International is made up of a very special group of people from around the world. Among us, we represent language and culture from the United States, Asia, Scandinavia, Africa, Europe, and South America. While all of us have a passion for many traditions around the world different from our own, we also enjoy American customs and food as well! Recently, the Quest team spent an afternoon together roasting marshmallows, probably one of the most American pastimes you can find! The activity consists of gathering around a bonfire and skewering marshmallows on sticks to roast over a fire. Often, the marshmallows are put between graham crackers and chocolate bars to make what, in the US, we call "s'mores". If you haven't tried this tasty snack, ask an American friend to share this experience with you, because it is a fun part of American culture that you must try!

The Quest team!

Viggo, our trusted office assistant.

Katie enjoying a marshmallow!

Rolo, second assistant, although he obviously does not work so hard...

Perfecting our roasting skills.

Taking a little rest after a marshmallow coma.

"What's up...?"

2011-08-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

A common thing that many foreigners in the United States are puzzled by is the phrase "What's up?" People from other countries may live in the US for years and not really understand what the proper answer to this question is because of the confusion of asking someone how they are doing without really wanting an answer, but that is how the phrase works! "What's up?" is a common greeting in the US used to say, "How are you?" or "What's going on?" The puzzling part is the answer. This phrase is used more as a hello than an inquiry as to how you are doing. When someone asks "What's up?" they usually are not looking for a detailed explanation of what's actually going on in your life. Someone would be pretty surprised if you told them everything that was up with you. You can respond by simply saying "What's up" in return, smiling, giving a little wave, or saying "Hey". While the phrase is stated as a question, it is not usually intended to have an answer, but merely as a way of saying "Hello".

KEEPING UP WITH QUEST STUDENTS: NAK JUNG SUN AT LINFIELD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL...

2011-08-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Located in Temecula, California, Linfield Christian High School is an academically rigorous school where Quest student Nak Jun Sung, from Korea, is currently studying. Not only is he getting a great education here in the US, he has also become actively involved with the Linfield High School basketball team. For a glimpse into the busy (yet fun!) life of an exchange student, check out these great shots from his wonderful host parents, Tiffany and Broussard.

NAK JUN WITH HIS HOST FAMILY.

SCORING!

SUPPORTING TEAMMATES.

FUN WITH CLASSMATES AT SCHOOL.

GOING OUT FOR PIZZA WITH NEW FRIENDS!

ENJOYING SOME TIME IN HIS NEW HOME.

WHAT DID YOU DO THIS WEEKEND?

2011-08-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

The employees at Quest are full of energy and exploration. When we are not busy at the office, we like to get out in the world to adventure just like you do! Here is our Tunisian marketing expert, Ty - he went on a flight excursion from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back in just a weekend!

TOP 10 AMERICAN FOODS

2011-08-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Coming to the US to study, you'll be exposed to new and unique foods that you will most likely only be able to find in America. Each region of the country has different things to offer - the Northwest is known for fresh seafood, the Midwest for barbecue, the South for soul and comfort food, the Northeast for lobster and crab, and the West coast for many Latin and Asian-inspired dishes. While you may not like everything you try, give these 10 very American things a shot and see for yourself the US really tastes like!

1. Barbecue
2. Fried chicken
3. Apple pie
4. Clam chowder
5. S'mores
6. Buffalo wings
7. Sourdough bread
8. Philly cheesesteak
9. Cheesecake
10. Cookie dough ice cream

APPLE PIE

BARBECUE

S'mores

QUEST FAMILY GROWS!

2011-08-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Quest is a company made up of personalities from around the world. In the office, we have speakers of English, Spanish, Chinese, Danish, Arabic, French, and Lithuanian. We recently welcomed our newest Quest family member, Eric. He brings an expertise of the Asian world, and we are all pleased to have him.

WORRIED ABOUT CULTURE SHOCK?

2011-07-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

When you're away from the people, traditions, foods, language and environment that you are used to, it's natural that you will feel a little overwhelmed - we call this culture shock, and culture shock can be rough! Here are a few tips for how adjust to your new surroundings:

1. Be aware that culture shock is bound to happen! You may hit a time where you just aren't feeling like yourself, and this is probably it.

2. Be curious about your new location. The best way to feel less shocked it by exploring your new world.

3. Make a friend. Sometimes it takes just one person to make you feel just a little bit at home. Having someone to talk to takes away a surprising amount of the stress of moving to a new country.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for help! People can often surprise you - if you ask for help, they will probably be curious about you, your country, and where you are from, in addition to telling you about themselves.

5. Keep up with your friends and family at home with a quick email or Skype conversation.

6. Realize that some things about your new life are just different, and maybe even hard. Try to embrace them!

7. Try new foods. One of the most fun things about being in a different countries is the food that you would never have seen at home.

8. And finally, learn patience. Be patient with yourself and also with the new things around you. Before long, your new country will feel like home.

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

2011-07-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

Coming to a new country comes with an assortment of new surprises. Students coming from abroad to study in the United States will be getting used to a whole new lifestyle of different foods, different accents from around the country, different fashion trends, and lots of different new slang. To help you fit right in with your new classmates, we have compiled a list of words that you most likely won't have found in your English textbooks...

Campus Lingo

Ace - To do very well, receive the grade of an “A”. Example: “I feel like I aced my math test!”
All-Nighter - To put off studying until the night before an exam or deadline. Example: “John pulled an all-nighter to get his paper finished.”
B.A. or B.S. - B.A. stands for “Bachelor of Arts” and B.S. stands for “Bachelor of Science”. Both degrees can be earned
at four-year colleges.
Bounce - To leave. Example: “I have to bounce— I have to go home to study.”
Bouncer - Security guard at bar or club.
Buzz Kill - When someone or something ruins a special moment. Example: “My mom was a buzz kill and made me stay home to do chores.”
Chick - Young attractive woman (the expression may be seen as derogatory). Example: “I have my eye on the chick across the room.”
Cramming - Intensive memorization in a short period of time — usually done by a student preparing for a school examination. Example: “I’m always stuck cramming for that professor’s class.”
Crash - 1. To sleep. Example: “I crashed on the couch last night.”
2. A common term for a computer fault. Example: “My hard drive crashed and I lost my term paper!”
Credits - A unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course. Various systems of credits exist: one per course, one per hour/week in class, one per hour/week devoted to the course (including homework), etc.
Cut - To purposely miss class. Example: “Joe cut class in order to attend a concert.”
Dude - An informal term of address, usually referring to a man or boy. Example: “Hey dude! I haven’t seen you on campus in forever!”
Elective - An academic course chosen by the student from a set of options, as opposed to a required course.
Final - Exam given to students at the end of a particular academic term, typically a semester, or more traditionally at the end of a complete degree course.
Flunk - To fail. Example: “I totally flunked that math exam!”
Frat - Short for “fraternity,” referring to all-male or mixed-gender social organization.

Freshman - (Alternatives: frosh, newbie, freshie, or fresh-meat) A first-year student in college or university.
Have a good one! - Short for “Have a good day/evening.”
Homey, Homes or Homeboy - Generally refers to a close friend, usually a male friend who exhibits strong loyalty. Derived from hip-hop and rap music. Example: “Jack and I go way back — he’s my homey.”
Hoodie - A sweatshirt with a hood. Example: “May I borrow your hoodie? I’m cold.”
Hottie - A very attractive person. Example: “My girlfriend is a real hottie!”
Junior - A student in the penultimate (usually third) year in college or university.
Jock - A classic American stereotype of an athlete.

Major - A college or university student’s main field of specialization during his or her undergraduate studies.
Mid-term - Exam given in the middle of a term or semester to measure students’ progress and comprehension of course material.
Minor - Secondary focus of a student’s studies.
Nerd - Alternatives: geek or dork
A stereo-typical designation, referring to somebody who passionately pursues intellectual knowledge or pastimes, rather than engaging in a social life or other main-stream activities. Example: “Bob is such a nerd, he reads instead of going to parties.”
Junior - A student in the penultimate (usually third) year in college or university.
Jock - A classic American stereotype of an athlete.
Major - A college or university student’s main field of specialization during his or her undergraduate studies.
Mid-term - Exam given in the middle of a term or semester to measure students’ progress and comprehension of course material.
Minor - Secondary focus of a student’s studies.
Nerd - (Alternatives: geek or dork)
A stereo-typical designation, referring to somebody who passionately pursues intellectual knowledge or pastimes, rather than engaging in a social life or other main-stream activities. Example: “Bob is such a nerd, he reads instead of going to parties.”
Pad - A place to live. Example: “Let’s go back to your pad and study.”
Party Animal - Someone who loves fun and parties.
Peace or Peace Out - A friendly phrase to say goodbye. Example: “Peace out, guys. I’m going home.”
Prof - Short for “professor”.
Psyched - To be excited or looking forward to an event. Example: “I’m so psyched to get my pay check!”
Quiz - A form of student assessment that often has fewer questions of lesser difficulty and requires less time for completion than a test or exam.
Senior - A student in the last (usually fourth) year at a college or university.
Sophomore - A student in the second year of study at a college or university.
Sorority - A women’s social organization, comparable to a male fraternity.
Syllabus - A professor’s outline of the class highlighting assignments, test dates, policies, and textbooks.
Term - A division of an academic year, the time during which a college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms, semesters, quarters, or trimesters, depending on the institution.
What’s up? or Wassup? - An informal expression meaning “What are you doing?”, “How are you?”, or “What is happening?”
Work-study - Programs that allow students to work, often on campus, as part of their financial aid package.
24/7 - All of the time. Derived from the fact that there are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. Example: “It seems like I am at my desk 24/7.”

Definitions adapted from Wikipedia®

http://www.internationalstudentguidetotheusa.com/articles/campus-lingo.php

HELLO WORLD!

2011-07-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new Quest International blog! Visit us for student exchange stories, cultural tips, travel news, and more!