The students coming on CHI's program generally represent the educated middle class. They are either junior high, high school, or university students who have studied English from 3 to 10 years. Their parents are willing to send them to North America because they believe that their future requires that people be bilingual. Although there has been great emphasis on reading and writing English, understanding and speaking the language is only now being encouraged. The students are generally very considerate and appreciative of their situation here and try to participate as much as possible with the host families' activities.

The students come with spending money for gifts and entertainment. They are fully insured under their own insurance policy. They have been given a handbook which explains our program and encourages their wholehearted participation.

The Students' Schedule

CHI's program for the students runs generally from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The students are in class from 9-12, four days a week. On 3-4 afternoons each week, the students participate in either a cultural exchange activity, sports, or short trips to neighborhood points of interest. The students travel by bus once a week to important and interesting areas around their community. Because the students need time to go shopping, write letters, or just rest from their busy schedule, CHI schedules occasional afternoons of free time.

CHI invites all host families to participate with the students on most of the scheduled activities. However, the program has been designed to support the busy family who cannot always accompany the students during the day.