Will the students speak English?

Yes. English is the national language of Nigeria, and it is the language of instruction in Tanzania beginning at the post-primary level of education.

What are the students’ age and gender?

Students will be between 15-17 years old. IRIS targets a 50/50 mix of gender. Students come in as juniors and are expected to return home in order to finish their final year of school at home.

Which religion do the students practice?

IRIS aims for a 50/50 mix of Christians and Muslims in order to teach the students about respect and appreciation of the religions in their home country. This also initiates a religious dialogue for Iowa families and schools.

Will the IRIS staff be in constant contact?

Yes. IRIS staff contact host families and students a minimum of twice a month. Schools are contacted once a month to provide support as needed. IRIS staff are also always available for anything that comes up in the meantime.

Will the students have health insurance?

Yes. Students are covered by U.S. State Department insurance. There is a $25 co-pay, which is paid by IRIS.

Do the students receive financial assistance?

All students receive a scholarship to cover costs of travel, education and other program activities. The students also receive a monthly stipend. There is no compensation that goes directly to the host families.

How will hosting an African student benefit me and my family?

Hosting an international student benefits every family differently. However, all families get the opportunity to walk the student through American culture, enlightening them on American work and study ethics, daily routines and American past times.

Families also get a first-hand opportunity to learn about a new and different culture. Many Americans’ only scope of understanding on African cultures comes from movies and “Save the Children” commercials on TV.

Our students are eager to teach your family about the Africa that isn’t shown - their culture, family dynamics and country pride.

What would my responsibilities be as a host family?

Families provide room and board, help with normal transportation and general parental supervision. More importantly, families welcome the student as one of their own, sharing in their experience and guiding them as needed.

What costs will our family incur by hosting a student?

Each family is provided with $300.00 to help cover general costs - including school registration fees, athletic gear for students in sports, some clothes, etc. 

Each student also receives a $125.00 stipend check each month to help cover personal costs and encourage them to get involved with friends and their community.

Health insurance is covered by IRIS. Extra costs a family might incur include an extra plate at the table, the cost to drive the student to activities and generally maintaining another person in their home.

Why should I host a student from IRIS instead of another organization?

IRIS is located in Iowa, serving Iowans and placing students with Iowa families. We believe keeping things local is a good thing - Iowa has plenty to offer to each student and gives them a taste of America that many have never seen before. This also keeps the grant money within our state, promoting Iowa’s economy.

Because IRIS is centrally located in Ames and has many regional coordinators throughout the state, no family is ever too far from an IRIS associate who can visit them at a moment’s notice. And because our headquarters is in Ames, and not in Washington, D.C., San Francisco or another distant city, we have Iowans’ interests at heart.

Most importantly, IRIS works with the YES program, which is funded and supported by the United States Department of State. This provides each of our students with a scholarship to participate in the exchange.

Most other student exchange organizations are for-profit, meaning that an often-times wealthy family will pay for the student to be placed in their organization. From there, the student pays all of their expenses throughout the entire year. While this is great, many of our students would never have the opportunity to study outside of their own city, let alone in the U.S. 

Our students are given full-ride scholarships for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By hosting a YES student through IRIS, you are giving them a chance to change their lives and return home with Midwestern values such as hard work ethics, community service and individualism.

Do I get to choose my student, or does IRIS choose for me?

Each family gets to choose which student they would like to host! IRIS staff can also help narrow down your choices by providing us with specific things you might be looking for in your student (e.g. “boy, likes soccer, comes from a big family”).

I think my family might be too busy to host this year - should I wait for another year?

It’s our opinion that no family is too busy to host - we’ve had many very busy and successful professionals and families host students, and the student still had an amazing experience.

Busy families often provide students with a true taste of American life and give the student more opportunities to get involved in school and their community. Most students soon make friends that they will want to spend time with, and friends can also help transport your student to different common activities and events.

How much support will our family receive from IRIS through the year?

Plenty! It is IRIS’s policy to contact each family and student twice each month to find out how the exchange is progressing. IRIS also contacts the student’s school once each month to find out how the student is coping with classes, grades and friends. 

We are also available between calls to help with any questions or concerns that may arrive. IRIS gathers students together two to three times each year for informational meetings and fun activities.

Iowa Resource for International Service ● 600 5th St., Suite 301, Ames, IA 50010

info@iris-center.org ● phone: 515-292-7103 ● fax: 515-292-7105

IRIS is a nonprofit, non-religious 501(c)3 organization.