SWIFT, a nonprofit student exchange organization in Oakland, is looking for families in San Francisco (close to public transit) or the East Bay which would like to host a student or adult chaperon from AUSTRIA from one of the following groups:
I invite your family or a family you know to open your home to one of these students or adults. For info on individual students, please click on the links above.

Hosting an exchange student or adult will allow your family:
* to learn about Austrian culture
* to practice German language skills
* to accompany the group on full-day and half-day trips to Alcatraz, Marin Co, Golden Gate Bridge, etc
* to promote international understanding
* (possibly) to visit your exchange student and his/her family in future if your family travels to Austria

Families do not have to rearrange their schedule to accommodate an exchange student. During the weekdays, the students will go on the excursions and attend classes at a local public high school. In the evenings and on weekends, they will relax or participate in the activities of their host families. They may even accompany their host families on 2 to 4-day weekend trips. Exchange students often take public transit to get to/from their group activities.

Host families provide their student with:
* a room (shared with a teenager of the same gender or separate)
* 3 meals a day (this may include a sack lunch during activity/class days, however, some students prefer to buy their own lunches when out)
* English conversation
* some assistance with using public transportation
* friendship and guidance

A host family may consist of two or more individuals related by blood or marriage (e.g., couples/domestic partners with or without children, single parents with children, elderly couples, adult siblings, etc.). Families in which the parents are amicably divorced or live in separate households have also hosted exchange students. A single adult, family or set of roommates may host an adult chaperon.

The students bring spending money for personal expenses (BART/bus tickets, toiletries, clothes, meals at restaurants, etc); and have accident, medical and liability insurance. In the event of an emergency, SWIFT staff can be reached 24 hours a day by phone.

I look forward to helping create lasting friendships and memories. Hope you are able to participate in this adventure!

Please let me know SOON if you or someone you know is interested in hosting a student or adult. If you like, you can speak to a family who has hosted students before. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (510) 525-5633.

Miya Sioson, Program Coordinator