Foreign Exchange Students Allege Neglect and Abuse by Host Families

The Cable News Network and many other news forums have recently reported on allegations of neglect and abuse amongst foreign exchange students in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. These allegations brought back many memories concerning my time spent as a Regional Director for an international exchange student program.

My Career in Student Exchange

I began my career in student exchange as a Local Coordinator finding host families, working with local schools and supervising students under my care. Later I'd be promoted to a Regional Director position responsible for hiring, supervising and training Coordinators within my region. Early on I recognized systemic and procedural weaknesses that I knew could potentially lead to problems.

Profit/Income and International Student Exchange Programs

International exchange student programs have the potential of making substantial profits. To meet goals programs offer both financial and trip incentives to its employees. In other words, the more students one places, the more money one can make. Although I understand the reasoning behind the concept, a dishonest person only interested in gain, might place students in less desirable homes simply for the money (possibly what happened in Scranton).

Policies/Procedures and International Student Exchange Programs

Because programs are only paid when students arrive in the United States, there was quite a push to find host families. As a result, we were encouraged to find even "temporary" housing solutions. The idea was once a student was in the states, that student might meet individuals at school or through community activities that might potentially lead to a permanent host family. Additionally, after relationships were formed, these so-called "temporary" homes would oftentimes become permanent. This strategy proved successful for most Coordinators/Directors. Nonetheless, some families were truly only willing to keep a student temporarily. As a result, if no home could be found, a student could be left in a somewhat hostile situation, and again, staff might be forced to place students in homes that might be less than ideal.

In addition to finding host families, Local Coordinators were also responsible for supervising or overseeing a student during their stay in the US. To ensure the safety of students, Coordinators are required to call students on a regular basis, and meet with them periodically to discuss any concerns they might have. Periodic meetings are also scheduled with the host family. Although this sounds good in theory, some students may be less than honest for fear of making their predicament worse. Also, because some exchange students are unreasonable (wanting a private bathroom, five course meals per night, etc.), some administrators truthfully become jaded and take complaints lightly.

Screening Host Families Solely the Responsibility of a Local Coordinator

Reputable programs make every effort to screen host families. Again however, the integrity of the local program lies completely upon the Local Coordinator who is supervised by a Regional Director (typically residing an hour or more away from the Coordinator).

Host families are to complete an application, interview and home visit conducted solely by the Local Coordinator. The screening process also requires a background and reference check which is also the responsibility of the Local Coordinator. Paperwork is then forwarded to both the Regional and National Office with the assumption that everything is legitimate.

A Troubling Experience With a Host Family

In regards to the allegations made by students in the Scranton area, it appears that a dishonest or greedy Local Coordinator may have been the root of the problem (that is if accusations are true). Nonetheless, some problems arise despite everyone's best efforts. Although I had some concerns about international student exchange in the beginning, I truly enjoyed working with the students so I continued with the program. Nevertheless, one incident led to my decision to leave the industry.

I'd recently hired a woman for a Local Coordinator position. She was an ideal candidate having been a substitute teacher for many years and fluent in a couple of languages. In her first year, she secured five host families (considered to be very successful), one being that of an older couple. This couple passed the screening process with flying colors, the husband having been a respected community leader. A young lady from Europe was placed in their home for a one year stay. Initially everything was wonderful, but later it all took an eerie turn.

To sum up the problem, the elderly husband became obsessed with the beautiful exchange student. He'd follow her to school, show up to her after school activities and sit outside the home of one of her friends. There were other things that happened as well that lead to the decision to remove the student from this home. My preference was to move the student out of state (which to my dismay never happened), however, the student was moved just a few miles away from her original host family. In addition to concern for the student, I became concerned for the Coordinator when it appeared that this man was also stalking her. After the dust settled and I knew both the student and Coordinator were safe, I resigned from my position. Just the thought of something possibly having happened to either of them was just too difficult for me.

I hope that the complaints made by the students in Pennsylvania will result in governing bodies taking a closer look at the administration of student exchange programs. Sure there are safeguards in place such as accrediting bodies, but with money involved even in the accreditation process, I'm afraid that the industry is incapable of policing itself.