- Reciprocal Exchanges during school time
- 1 to 6 months for children age 8 to 17
- Reciprocal Exchanges during summer
- flexible duration for children age 8 to 17
How It Works
We pride ourselves on the personal touch. We meet each family personally and we organise meetings for interested families in our countries. We as a team attend the family weekends so we can meet the international families to prepare them for their upcoming adventure.
We are available for all and any questions, and often a Skype to our international partners helps so you can fully understand the new family, the culture and the routine your child will be immersed in.
Communication
Once a family match is made, we encourage you to begin communication. Family Skype calls etc are wonderful for getting to know one another. The children can also connect via social media and get to know each other.
We are on hand for all situations and advice on how to help your child settle in.
We will also advice and support you with preparing to host, how to ensure your international child is warmly welcome into your family and life. We will help you with any queries in relation to the hosting so you are comfortable with all aspects of the reciprocal exchange.
The exchange child becomes integrated into the the family, and is not a guest!
The children are challenged to integrate themselves to the best of their ability, to accept the foreign lifestyle habits and make the most of their exchange. They will need to adapt to the new family. The families treat the child like one of their own, with all parental rights and responsibilities. The exchange child is part of the family, not a guest!
The children communicate with their biological families, but it is recommended that this does not occur more than once a week. The children can communicate with us any time they need.
For an exchange where school will be attended; the international child will ideally be placed by the welcoming family in the same school as the children in the house. The child continues to attend school, does his/her homework, writes exams and follows the routine of the family where the exchange takes place. Hobbies, meeting friends, and of course spending holidays, weekends, parties and family reunions together with the new family.
