Midway University Host Family Program

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For over 160 years, Midway University has taken great pride in providing a global education. We are committed to diversifying our current student body and giving them the opportunity to make cross cultural connections. As a result of our globalization efforts, there has been a significant increase in enrollment of out of state and international students. As we foresee continuous growth, we want to ensure that we are providing the necessary resources for our students to be academically successful. To meet the needs of connecting students to their campus and their community, Midway University’s Office of Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA) has developed the Host Family Program.

The students do not live with the host families full-time. It is a once every 1-3 week commitment to get them off campus (for a movie, restaurant, grocery shopping) and they can stay with host families on the weekends if both parties desire. Over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break, it is more of a commitment - the students will stay with the host families since the school is closed and they get bored on campus.

If you're not able to commit to being an official host family, we do need folks to host students for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Please keep in mind showing interest does not guarantee placement, and there is an application process, including a background check. We work to find the best fit!

It is such a rewarding experience for both parties. An opportunity to learn about the student's home country and make them feel welcome in the United States!

Expectations:

• Build a relationship with your host student for an entire academic school year and preferably throughout their entire time at Midway. Ideally, families and students should meet at least once a month but communicate with one another on a more regular basis.
• Take the opportunity to learn about the host student’s culture and country.
• Be willing to share your home during holidays and breaks (Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break).
• Be able to set clearly defined rules and expectations within your household for the preparation of your host student stay.
• Notify the Office of Multicultural and International Affairs (OMIA) if you observe any out of the ordinary behaviors from a host student.
• Notify OMIA if you are unable to continue in the Host Family Program.
• Provide the student with their own bed and privacy.