Finally, shortly before departure, a reentry orientation will be held for the families and students to prepare them for the departure. While the students are with the host families, the local representatives will contact one host parent in each family, the student, and the student's high school counselor, on a monthly basis to track the progress of the exchange and to provide any assistance or advice needed. After regular office hours, and on weekends and holidays, this number is answered by a professional answering service with full instructions on how to direct emergency calls. P.I.E.-USA makes every effort to offer the highest level of support and accessibility to the students and families involved with the program. There is no typical host family.
Students are interested in a wide variety of hosting situations.
Some students who come from large families would like to experience being the only child in a family. Many of the students accepted into the program indicate an interest in being placed in families with small children. I think my house may be too small. Program participants are prepared to share a bedroom with a child of the same sex. The only requirements are that the exchange student must be provided with his or her own bed and that the host sibling sharing the room be at least 10 years of age.