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Phone/Fax/E-Mail Arrangements
Because we have two phone lines
in our home, we have no problems with phone arrangements. American
rates are often much less expensive than in other countries. Most
long distance carriers have an overseas calling rate between certain
hours. Our exchange students know they are welcome to use any of the
white phones in our house after 3:00PM and before 8:00AM. The rate is
usually between $.50 and $.60/minute. Without the special calling
plan the rate runs between $1.00 and $1.50/minute. In the best
interest of the student and yourself, it is best to limit the student
to only one 1 to 1½ hour conversation per week. There are obviously
exceptions, but this rule-of-thumb works well. Beware of calls at the
end of the hosting year. One exchange student owed us over $200 upon
departure and it was nearly a year before we received it.
FAXes are okay as long as they are not too frequent. The once a week rule-of-thumb works well here also.
NEVER GIVE YOUR STUDENT HIS/HER OWN E-MAIL ACCOUNT!!! Most of the problems we have encountered have in one way or another related directly to a student having his/her own e-mail account. One 16 year-old exchange daughter was having a conversation with a 34 year-old dentist about her virginity one night. She saw nothing wrong with the conversation. I believe having an e-mail account led to another exchange student leaving us after only a short time with us. It allowed the student to contact home, friends, and family far too frequently.