The Homestay Program was established to let U.S. and
International teams have an opportunity to experience each other's cultures for
a few days after World Finals. The
International team(s) stay in the homes of U.S. teams, providing first hand
friendship experiences for both groups.
This rewarding experience is a "memory of a
lifetime" and ALL Odyssey teams
are eligible. (You do not have to compete at World Finals to be a
homestay team/family.)
The 2008 World Finals will be at the University of
Maryland in College Park, MD, just outside Washington, DC, from May 31 – June
3, 2008, and many international teams would love to come to your home for a
Homestay experience before or after their time at WF. Of course, a homestay in
the Washington, DC area would work. Or, many teams will be flying through New
York, Atlanta, or other “gateway cities,” on their way to and from WF, and so a
stay there here would work, too. Also, some international teams may have the
time and resources to travel within the U.S., so Odyssey families in other
parts of the country may also take advantage of this incredible
program/opportunity.
For more information, or to volunteer, please contact our
Homestay Coordinator, Chris Eaton:
Chris Eaton
(spud88@cox.net).
(More specific details are on the reverse side of this
flyer.)
1. All
Odyssey teams/families are eligible for the program.
2. Homestay
families provide lodging, meals, and some
planned
activities for their international guests. Most of
time, two or
three families share the hosting of one
international
team—usually, there are six or seven kids
and up to
three adult chaperones.
3. Biggest cost?
In-home meals, and time spent with your guests! Teams cover their own entertainment, and
out-of-home meal costs, and shopping.
4.
Homestays generally last 3 or 4 days; specific arrangements are made between
the international team’s coach and the homestay family.
5. Transportation: Host families will need to transport
teams
from WF
(College Park, U of MD) to their homes, and to
the airport of
departure. Transportation to and from
planned
activities during the Homestay is also necessary.
Odyssey
friends/families who are unable to host
international
team members in their homes can really
help out by
helping with driving/transporting people to
activities.
Please note: there are alternatives if your host
family group
cannot find a way to drive everyone—
SuperShuttles
to airports, public transportation, taxi cabs,
etc. are often
alternatives, especially in big cities.
6. It is usually
helpful if at least one host family can be
home during
the day to help coordinate daytime
activities.
This does not have to be the same family
each day.
7. Biggest
reward? Making new friends from around
the
world!
To participate in the Homestay Program, please contact
OotM Homestay Coordinator Chris Eaton at spud88@cox.net.