Hey Everyone:
I'm reaching out this morning because we're
still looking for Southwest High School (SWHS) host families for 2 of the 4 Chinese
students who have been accepted to attend SWHS next school year through a
program called iNECS with which we partner. We have worked with this school for several years and currently and in the past had wonderful students.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with iNECS,
here's some info...
Next school year SWHS will continue its
partnership with iNECS, a Chinese international student program. The iNECS
mission is to build relationships between American and Chinese public high
schools and their students and families, to provide the opportunity for Chinese
students to participate in an American educational experience, and to offer
American students opportunities to enjoy study and travel in China.
As opposed to participating in a foreign
exchange program, iNECS students choose to come to the U.S. as international
students and as 12th graders. The students are then eligible to graduate from
SWHS and their ultimate hopes are to attend a U.S. college.
One big
difference between hosting one of these Chinese international students vs.
hosting a student through a typical foreign exchange program is that with this
program, the host family is paid an $8,000 stipend to offset the costs of
supporting a teenager for a year. Because this stipend is considered support
for the student, and not income for the family, the stipend is not taxable.
The
students arrive in the U.S. shortly before the school year begins in the fall
and leave a few days after graduation.
As the counselor for all foreign exchange
students at SWHS, I will work with these students throughout the school year as
a support. There is also a local iNECS Area Coordinator who works with and
supports host families throughout the year.
Please contact me if you're interested!
Jenny Moore, MA, LSC
Licensed School Counselor
SWHS, grades 10-12, student last names A-D
MMSCA Board, President Elect
Southwest High School
3414 W. 47th St., Minneapolis, MN, 55410
phone: (612) 668-3053
fax: (612) 668-3128
