WELCOME HSUSA
FUTURE STUDENTS
GET READY BEFORE EMBARKING IN THE ADVENTURE
Training module 6
Upon completion, you will learn some of the U.S. Laws and Rules for Student Exchanger, learn about the Local Coordinator and how they support students throughout the year
YOUR LOCAL COORDINATOR
After you're fully accepted into the HSUSA program and you've received your visa, you'll meet your host family and your local coordinator by Skype/Zoom/Whatsapp call. A Local Coordinator is THE person who interviewed your host family and they will be your support for the whole year.
You will meet with them or a counselor they designate at least once a month, but they are available to you whenever you need them. These are the people you call to share anything with because they are there to help you. They will also give you guidance if you need to improve in school, with your host family, or need help connecting with friends. The Local Coordinator is there for you!
Steve Bliss, Director of HSUSA starting a new school year with 12 students from 8 different countries
RULES:
Can you imagine there will be a rule you don't understand? In this module, we'll talk about the rules. Some will be common sense, others we might have to explain. Every rule has a reason and we really want you to understand why we have rules.
LUKAS DID NOT BREAK THE RULES BUT LEARNED HOW THE US CULTURE HAVE DIFFERENT NORMS THAN IN EUROPE
Breaking a cultural norm may be embarrassing. Breaking the rules of the program or the law in the United States can have bigger consequences.
What are the rules?
Turn over each of the pictures below to learn the rules you have to follow as a student visitor in the United States. There aren't many, but they are important to follow. Breaking these rules will cause student to be immediately sent home. Students are not allowed to make life-altering decisions.
The rules/laws exist for you to have the best experience on your study abroad year in the United States. Talk with your HSUSA representative in your country if you don't understand these rules.
Student visitors are not allowed to work (except small jobs like babysitting or mowing the lawn for money on occasion) or use a firearm (shoot a gun), or participate in extreme activities (like sky diving).
Drinking alcohol is against the law under age 21 in the U.S. Even if high school students drink alcohol in the U.S., foreign students must live by a higher standard because if you are caught drinking you will be sent home. Understand, this may be a different cultural norm than your home but it has big consequences in the U.S. Choose friends wisely who won't lead you to trouble.
NO DRINKING
Foreign students can not drive in the United States. They can not become insured to drive and can not get their driver's license in the United States.
NO DRIVING
Smoking and drugs, including vaping and marijuana, are illegal under the age of 18. Even for students above the age of 18, it is against the student visitor rules to smoke, vape, or do drugs.
NO DRUGS
Many American students and parents have a conservative view on sex. Sex may be viewed as causally ok behavior or as behavior only done in a committed (marriage) relationship. As a student ambassador in the United States, sexual relationships jeopardize goodwill with parents and other students. Having sex is a life-altering event and is not allowed while on your exchange.
NO SEX
Your host parents are responsible for you and they need to know where you are. Traveling overnight without a supervising adult is against the rules. Traveling with groups (school group etc.) or traveling out of the country (on vacation with your host family) requires written approval from your sponsor.
NO TRAVEL ALONE
Your host parents are the adults responsible for you while you are in the U.S. In past years, parent visitors have created an adverse experience for a student's stay affecting home-sickness and the student/host parent relationship. Parents may only visit at the end of your exchange, during the week after school and before you return home when your host family is no longer responsible for you.
NO VISITORS
WE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU
Successful students accept the rules and focus their attention on the wonderful opportunities in the United States.
GEORGE & LUKAS TELL US ABOUT THE SUPPORT THEY RECEIVED IN THE USA
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:
GLOBAL READINESS SUMMIT- All HSUSA students who maintain good grades and remain in good standing with their host family and local coordinator are invited to attend the Global Readiness Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. This trip is a leadership and entrepreneurship summit where students will meet high school and college students from around the world. You'll hear from nationally recognized speakers and learn from student entrepreneurs who are very successful in the United States. HSUSA will subsidize some costs, some scholarships will be given.
VOLUNTEER, LEARN & GROW- You will have many opportunities to volunteer inside and around your community. Students may have an opportunity to shadow or visit an American in a career of their interest. Your Local Coordinator can help you set these events up.