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International School Year Program
The International School Year is from September 1 through June 15 of each year. It is for the student who wants to attend an American private school on a long-term basis. The international students are in classes with their American counterparts, but additional language support is provided as needed.
Students enrolled in these programs will stay with local families in the pristine environment and safe community of McMinnville, Oregon — This is known as a Homestay. This type of living arrangement provides for a cultural experience that only living with a local family can provide to the student. McMinnville and the family becomes the student's home-away-from-home!
Homestay Accommodations
The Homestay allows for the student to become an active community member by the virtue of living with a local family, and Homestays are a unique component of the ICS International Student Programs. The rewards for this type of living arrangement are both cultural and academic. Being that the student is an extended family member gives the student the opportunity to experience first-hand what life in America is all about, and it provides the student with a language rich environment.
Homestay homes provide for similar amenities as the visiting international student currently enjoys in the own country. Most students will have their own private, furnished room with a bed, desk/table, chest of drawers, and a shared bath. Many Host Families will have children at or around the same age as the visiting international student. All Homestays will include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most Homestay families have internet access via DSL or some other high-speed connection.
English Immersion Program
In our constantly changing and highly competitive world, speaking English has become more than ever the key to personal and professional success. At ICS you will receive daily intensive practice in English using sound language acquisition methods; as well as, using real-life situational experiences to master nuances of the English language.
In addition, students attending the ICS International Student Programs will stay with a Host Family in the friendly northwest community of McMinnville, Oregon allowing the students additional language practice while learning about the culture of America through their Homestay Family experience.
Advantages of the English Immersion Program
- Experienced, licensed, and certified American teaching staff.
- Practicing English in a natural setting with native English speakers.
- Studying in small classes where each student receives personal attention.
- Using computer-aided language learning and audio-visual facilities.
- Participating in many unforgettable trips and excursions to interesting and historical places accompanied by native English speaking guides.
- Comfortable Homestay with local Host Families near ICS.
Academic Instruction Program
The International Community School is a private, independent, co-educational day school that provides a rigorous academic program promoting high standards and achievement through Mastery Learning and Inquiry Based Instruction.
Students attending ICS are taught strategies, skills, and content in the core subject areas at a mastery level in order to have success at higher levels of understanding. ICS uses an Inquiry Based Approach to learning. By using a student's natural inquisitiveness to the world around them the students explore age and grade appropriate concepts in a nurturing environment that encourages trial and error, persistence, and patience.
Advantages of the Academic Instruction Program
- Experienced, licensed, and certified American teaching staff.
- Internationally recognized teaching pedagogy and curriculum.
- Studying in small classes where each student receives personal attention.
- The use of state-of-the-art computer-aided instruction and assessment.
- Participating in many unforgettable trips and excursions to interesting and historical places accompanied by native English speaking guides.
- Comfortable Homestay accommodations with local Host Families near ICS.
Arrival into Oregon
The student will be met at Portland International Airport (PDX) by a representative of ICS and transported directly to their Homestay family. Afterwards, all students will be taken to ICS to meet the staff, tour the school, have a brief presentation, and finally take a walking tour of the community.
The Host Family
The Host Family welcomes the student as an extended family member. ICS trains each Host Family in the cultural differences of their visiting Homestay Student, and each Homestay Family receives instruction, guidance, and assistance. This is done to assist in the transition of both the student and the family and make the Homestay a success.
Our Homestay Families reflect the diversity of this small northwest community and includes couples with children, couples without children, and single parents. ICS personally screens and interviews all Homestay Hosts, and determines that their living arrangements are to our standards before placing a student in a Homestay environment.
Questions and Answers
Q: When do the International Programs begin?
A: The International Programs at ICS run all year and students may enter at any time once their application process has been completed and their admission has been approved by ICS. The programs are set-up to accommodate students by the week, month, quarter, by the semester, or the entire school year based on which International Program the student enrolls in and the requirements of the family.
Q: Do Host Students have responsibilities?
A: Host Students should know that this program is not a vacation or a tour, but an academic Homestay that requires work and effort that will result in a profound learning experience. Being that one of the main cultural advantages of Homestays is being an extended family member students are expected to help out with normal family chores such as keeping their room clean, helping with caring for animals, and general domestic upkeep required of any family member.
Q: Do Host Students need money while staying with the Host Family?
A: All Host Students need to have their own spending money, provided by their parents. The students are responsible for their own phone calls and non-structured recreation such as movies, bowling, and McDonalds.
Q: What if my child gets sick?
A: There are state-of-the-art medical facilities in McMinnville. In addition to these facilities the city of Portland is within easy reach and has every medical facility necessary for any medical emergency.
Q: Does my son / daughter need to have their own medical insurance?
A: Yes, all students need to provide their own international medical insurance and be able to provide proof of this insurance prior to departing their home country. Medical insurance through the company US Campus, www.uscampus.com or Assist-Card International , www.assistcard.co.kr, or similar providers have easy and affordable medical insurance plans.
Q: What happens if the placement doesn't work out?
A: If a student and host family have a misunderstanding, ICS will provide counsel, support, and guidance. If a Host Family has an insurmountable difficulty or an unexpected change in family life, ICS will arrange for another Homestay placement for the student. If the situation necessitates that the student needs to go home then the cost of the airline ticket will be the sole responsibility of the student's parents.
Q: What responsibilities do host families have?
A: Host Families provide students with meals, a place to sleep and study, and a warm supportive family environment. Private rooms are not required on approval of ICS directors.
Q: How old are the students who participate?
A: Students need to be between the ages of 8 and 15 prior to entering the U.S.
Q: Do I need to obtain a visa for my trip to the USA?
A: All US Passport holder may travel to and from the US without a visa. All non-US visitors who enter the U.S. need a visa.
International Camp Program: Students who will be enrolling in the International Camp Program may enter the United States on a B Visitors Visa obtainable from the US Embassy or Consulate in their home countries.
International School Program: Students applying for the year-long International School Program may obtain a F-1 Student Visa from the US Embassy or Consulate in their home counties. Information about how to obtain a visa and the process involved can be obtained by contacting the International Community School at info@mac-ics.org or found on the US Campus web site: www.uscampus.com. Additional information is obtainable from the US Department of State: www.state.gov OR from the Education USA web: www.educationausa.state.gov.
ICS will assist in completing the I-20 Form and obtaining the F-1 Student Visa for those students fulfilling all of the U.S. requirements for non-immigrant students and who attend the International School Program as a full-time student.
It is the responsibility of the parents of the student to secure the proper visa and all other travel
related documents for entry into the United States and the International Student Programs at ICS.
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