How many children can be part of the programme?

The ISP Cultural Exchange Programme (ISP CEP) enables students at ISP schools to be part of the programme. Althought there is no limit on how many students can be part of the programme we commit to match 100 families in 2024. The selection of students is an internal process of the ISP ILOS Central team which takes into account the student application, the school's report, and the availability of matches. As the programme prioritizes reciprocal exchanges, we can't guarantee that all applicants per school will be able to take part.

How long do the reciprocal exchanges last?

The duration of the exchange is two months. Remember you will host for one month and be a visitor for one month. Other types of exchanges are one-month long.

How well does my child need to speak English?

They should have a good level of written and spoken English (at least B2 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR) or a recommendation letter from school language teacher or Head of School/Principal.

What are the educational benefits?

ISP CEP provides a collaborative and cultural learning opportunity across our group of schools. The exchanges between schools give students aged between 14 - 17 a unique international and cultural learning experience. It enables them to develop their language skills, share good learning practices, foster independence and cultivate long-term friendships across the world.

What is the cost of the ISP CEP? Are there any hidden charges?

There are no hidden charges. Exchange students and their families are responsible for their own travel, visa costs, vaccinations, medical and travel insurance, and subsistence allowance (pocket money to allow for personal expenses). Please be aware that you will continue to pay your own local school fees.

How do I apply for my son or daughter?

Please head to the Application Form where you will complete the data and submit your application. Note that it is a family form and that its meant to be completed together.

Do you have chaperones?

We do not have chaperones for ISP CEP. However, we have ISP CEP Programme ILOS Coordinators (PILOS) in each participating ISP school who are responsible for supporting students and parents through the exchange process as well as possibly accompanying students to and from the airport. After applying, you will receive a link to a form for any inquiries.

How will flights be organised?

Once the dates of the exchanges have been agreed by schools, parents and PILOS, flights should be booked. Flights will be organised by parents. It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to pay for flights. The hosting family and hosting school will let parents know which dates the flights should be booked for.

Who will look after my child on the flight?

Students over 13 are considered young adults, for this reason they can travel on their own. However, parents must check the regulations with their airline of preference before travel. Some airlines provide chaperone services, but these would need to be organised by parents/guardians directly with the airline.

What do I do if my child needs a visa or minor authorisation to travel?

Visas/minor authorisations are necessary for some countries and may require a personal interview in the respective consulate. Visa application costs are the responsibility of students/guardians. ISP will be able to provide letters of invitation if required for visa applications.

How will my child be transported to and from the airport?

• Parents/guardians should accompany their child to the airport and may also be joined by the PILOS from their home school and should wait until the flight departs.
  
• Parents/guardians should also ensure that their child has the necessary valid travel documentation and a mobile telephone that includes the contact details of the host PILOS and the host family collecting them from the destination airport. They will also need enough currency of the destination country for the first 48 hours and have a valid credit card for sundry items and emergency use.
  
• The host family along with the PILOS in the destination country will collect your child from the airport.
  

Do I need travel and medical insurance for my child?

Yes. ISP CEP students will need to have travel and medical insurance that covers expenses should the student need to see a doctor or require emergency medical treatment in the destination country. The medical insurance should also cover travel days.

If a child is suffering from jet lag, how do you deal with it?

We advise that you try and encourage your child to sleep on the plane. The first day or so will be an adjustment but the excitement of a new experience, having fun and meeting new friends will keep them wide awake. Bedtime is at the discretion of the host family. Students should be well rested for the exchange programme experience.

Do I have to host an exchange student if my son or daughter has been selected to take part in the ISP CEP?

We prioritise reciprocal exchanges. However, we might have some places for one-way exchanges.

How will our family benefit from hosting a ISP CEP student?

Being a host family can be a really rewarding experience for the whole family. It is a chance for you to learn about another culture and language without leaving home. It will enable you to build life-long friendships with your ISP CEP student and their family. If you have other children in your family it will also be an opportunity for them to learn more about other countries and cultures, make friends and broaden their horizons.

What is required to be a host family?

There is no typical host family. If you are able to meet the requirements of being a host family and are comfortable with hosting a ISP CEP student for a minimum period of one month you will be a perfect host family.

• Offer a helpful, understanding and supportive environment as the student goes through his or her adaptation process.
  
• Be able to provide for an additional member of the family including a separate bed, suitable study area and three meals per day.
  
• Provide a safe, clean and secure environment for the student to live and learn.
  
• Provide private space for student while dressing, washing, and using toilet facilities.
  
• Familiarise your student with your hometown and promote participation in school and community events.
  
• Although students will take the school bus when available, host parents must make sure the student has transportation to and from the school each day. The host family may also be required to transport students to after-school events, social activities and cultural programmes just as they would do with their own child.
  
• Have realistic expectations of what life with a teenager is like.
  
• At least one other member of the host family who is regularly at home should have a good level of English.
  

What safety measures are in place?

Host families will be fully screened before being accepted. The screening process includes:

• A full interview.
  
• A home visit by the school psychologist and/or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  
• Appropriate police checks. Everybody over 18 years old who permanently lives or works in the house is required to submit an appropriate police background check (DBS certificate in the UK, Certificado de Delitos de Naturaleza Sexual in Spain, or the equivalent in each country).
  
• A complete brief to ensure an understanding of the schools safeguarding policy.
  
• The host family will be also assessed to ensure they can provide a safe home environment.
  
• Contingency measures in place if a student needs to move from the host family.
  

Will I receive financial compensation for hosting an exchange student?

It depends. You will not receive any compensation as a host family for reciprocal exchanges. You will receive a minimum compensation if you are only hosting a student with no student traveling.

How long will families have to host an exchange student?

You will host a student for one month.

Will students share a room?

Students of the same sex can share a room but must have separate beds. This must be made clear with the arriving student during the pre-departure and familiarisation process to ensure they are comfortable with this beforehand. Students of different sex must have separate rooms.

How will our exchange student get around?

Since exchange students are not allowed to drive, the host family is expected to provide transportation.

Although students will take the school bus when available, host parents must make sure the student has transportation to and from the school each day. The host family may also be required to transport students to after-school events, social activities, and cultural programmes, just as they would their own child.

When does the host family take over and finish their responsibility of the student?

From the moment that the host family picks the student up at the airport until the moment they drop them off at the airport and made sure they went through the security checks.

Will we be the ISP CEP student’s legal guardian whilst we are hosting them?

No. The students’ parents/guardians remain their legal guardian. The signed parental consent form allows schools/host families to seek emergency medical treatment for the ISP CEP student if required for the duration of the exchange.

When will the exchanges take place?

Once the pairings are confirmed, dates for the exchanges will be discussed and agreed between families and schools. Exchanges can take place between April and July OR September and December 2024.

Reciprocal exchanges won’t happen at the same time. First one student will be the host of their buddy, and then vice versa.

For example: Student A visits School B and stays in Student’s Home B for one month. Then, student B visits School A and stays in Student’s Home A for another month.

Which lessons will ISP CEP students attend?

The ISP CEP is a short-term international learning experience. The idea of the programme is for students to have an experience in a different country and culture. This will mean that often the curriculum will not be the same as in the students home school. Schools and parents will need to be comfortable with this. The pairing process will try to match students of the same gender and similar ages or years/grades. If 'buddies' are in different years/grades, PILOS and schools will discuss the learning needs of the students and agree which year/grade is best to allocate them to at the host school. The host school will provide all of the

required books and materials required by the exchange student.

What uniform should ISP CEP students wear?

The school uniform policy is different in each ISP school. Students can wear either their own school uniform or similar clothes to the host school uniform during the exchange. This will be discussed in detail once the exchange is confirmed. No new school uniform will need to be purchased during the exchange.

What happens if a student wants to go home?

Homesickness is normal for children going away from home, especially if it is their first time away without parents/guardians. Most children will easily adjust in a couple of days. If the student is really unhappy, the school should be able to arrange for them to return home early, but additional costs will be the

responsibility of parents/guardians. However, we will work very closely between schools to ensure that all exchange students have a successful experience.

How often can parents/guardians speak to their child?

As the students will have their mobile phone with them parents/guardians will be able to speak with them on a frequent basis. However, students will not be allowed to use their phones during lessons and will need to adhere to the policy of their destination school.

What Health & Safety information is required?

Once students are successfully accepted into the programme, their parents/guardians will need to complete and sign the Health & Safety Pack Forms (Medical Information, Dietary Requirements, Emergency Contacts and Parental Consent). Students will not be able to participate in ISP CEP without proper completion of these forms.

What if the exchange student needs medical attention?

In the event of a medical emergency, immediate medical assistance will be sought. The safety of all children is paramount, and all necessary action will be taken to ensure this. PILOS and families will have copies of the Health & Safety pack forms, parental consent form and a copy of the student medical insurance. All students will be required to have medical insurance that will cover any expenses if he/she requires medical attention, needs to visit a doctor or requires emergency treatment. The medical insurance must be organised and paid for by the parents/guardians of the student for the duration of his/her residency and include travel days.

Do you complete risk assessments?

The safety of the students is our main priority. All staff in our schools are highly qualified and are background checked before employment. Each school will spend time thoroughly planning all aspects of the ISP Cultural Exchange Programme, using detailed educational risk assessments to adhere to our strict safety protocols.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please complete the form below