Friday, March 16, 2012

STEP is a Spanish summer immersion "home stay" program for teens ages 14-17 years old. .
This is a great program for families with not only teenagers, but younger children or even adults without children.  Ask your friends and neighbors to host as well.  It's fun to share the experience with others in the neighborhood.  Opening your heart and home to a new culture without the expense of traveling can truly change your world and establish a global friend for life!

Host Family Responsibilities: Host families provide a bed, 3 meals a day and transportation to and from student excursions. Families are also expected to pick-up their student and drop them off at the designated  "Pick up Drop Off" points.  Carpool lists are available to minimize driving.  Buses are provided for the long distance weekend trips.  Host families drop off  and pick up for the local activities ( which are scheduled after work hours- 1 evening each week).  All students are carefully screened, speak English, have medical insurance and come with their own spending money.  Students are to be treated as members of your family and not a guest.  STEP takes care of all the big excursions, so your responsibility as a host family is to practice English with your student and integrate them into your daily summer routine.  They are here to learn our culture and enjoy the recreational activities we participate in. 

The Host Family Application Process- The STEP application process is very simple.  1. Fill out the application on line. Simply email or mail the application to me a home visit will be conducted at your convenience, this takes no more than 1/2 hour and the application is complete.  

How do I/we pick a student? Once the application process is complete,  you will have access to the student profiles (these will be available in April), you can choose a student who is compatible to you or you and your family.  We have boys and girls with many interests ranging from swimming, soccer, listening to music, and most other activities most kids like.  You can choose or I will help you choose the student that is the best fit for your family.

Students will be attending full day excursions: .  Host Family members are welcome to attend excursions and enjoy the STEP discounts on travel, tickets and hotels.  Host families required to get their students to pick-up and drop locations for excursions. ( STEP covers all costs for students) 
Field trips for each group  are, 
"Welcome" and "Farewell" Pool Parties
Boston - Duck Your & Quincy Market
6 Flags - QueensburyNYC overnight-- Times Square -Empire State Building & Madame Tussauds
Night out in Saratoga- Congress Park - Group photos & street shopping 
The FUNSPOT- Mini Golf, Go Karts, LasorTag & Rollerskating 
Statue of Liberty - Tour of Little Italy- Financial District- & Chinatown


What if I've never hosted before?? Don't worry, I will be scheduling a host family orientation in June so that families can ask as many questions as they'd like so they feel they're 100% comfortable with hosting. 


STEP families came from the following district last summer. Albany, Colonie,Shenendowa, Schuylerville, Galaway, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Queensbury, Saratoga, Corinth 


Date of Arrival  
June 30th - July 27
Let's help promote global awareness! Spanish students are great role models for today's teens.  They are so gracious to come to America and experience an American home.  Most of the students and their host families say this is the most rewarding experience they've ever had.  The memories stay with them for the rest of their lives. So don't wait, sign up today. 
Contact: Kim - (518) 365-1834  nyexchangestudents@gmail.com 


*** Full year Students available as well!