printer-friendly

Host Family Program

Host families are single and/or married persons who desire to know more about Bethel College students of color, international students and students whose homes are outside of Kansas and their cultures. Bethel recognizes the importance of matching you with a family with whom you are comfortable. Host families are in contact with you and sharing activities together is a popular way of learning about each other.

Your local host family provides you with a home away from home, entertains you for meals, gives you an opportunity to periodically get away from campus on weekends, and welcomes your family when they visit you at Bethel. Other activities might include sharing a family meal, attending a cultural or sporting event, attending picnics, observing holidays, going to movies, or shopping together. Activities shared depend on the interests of both the host family and the student. Many students develop relationships with their host families that last for years after they graduate.

"I developed lasting friendships and lasting lessons from my host parents and I’m confident that they’ll always be there for me, no matter where I live or what I’m doing," says 1992 Bethel graduate Kim Clark. "In fact, when I got married, my host father was the one who walked me down the aisle."

Student Survey

Interested in having a host family? Please complete the student survey and send it as an email attachment to studentlife@bethelks.edu or fill out the survey online.

Become a Host Family

Host families are not required to provide home stays; students provide their own housing. However, families often provide transportation to and from joint activities, since many students do not have their own vehicles. Host families are not to assume any responsibility for financial, immigration, academic, employment, health, or serious adjustment problems; staff in the Student Life Office handles these issues.

If you are interested in becoming a host family for a Bethel College student of color, international student or student whose home is outside of Kansas, contact the Student Life Office or complete the Host Family Survey online or send a completed survey as an e-mail attachment to studentlife@bethelks.edu.