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cclose
Joined: 31 May 2009
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 Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:57 am Post subject: Bringing a student home to America |
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To begin, my contract is winding down and I have a few months left. My bosses (husband and wife) have a 10 year old son who has been one of my students since I started here. The son and I get along great, and apparently I'm the first foreign teacher he has ever liked.
Recently, the bosses have started discussing the possibility of me taking their son back to Southern California with me at the end of my contract for three weeks. I don't mind doing it, but I'd like some advice on the situation. Specifically, how much, if anything, I should get paid for this little adventure. Typical homestays are very expensive, from what I see on the internet. At the very least, I hope airfare (returning to Korea) is included because they want me to fly back with him. I don't plan to teach again at the school, but I do plan to travel SE Asia with friends, so returning to Asia would be beneficial for me.
Has anyone ever done this before? What is reasonable compensation for this? Thanks for any and all advice! |
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Radius
Joined: 20 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:11 am Post subject: |
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| This is just bizarre to begin with. I mean who in the world would hand their 10 year old son over to some foreigner for three weeks? I wouldn't. I'm sure your a safe guy OP, but this is just an odd request if you ask me. |
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hondaicivic
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Location: Daegu, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Bringing a student home to America |
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| cclose wrote: |
To begin, my contract is winding down and I have a few months left. My bosses (husband and wife) have a 10 year old son who has been one of my students since I started here. The son and I get along great, and apparently I'm the first foreign teacher he has ever liked.
Recently, the bosses have started discussing the possibility of me taking their son back to Southern California with me at the end of my contract for three weeks. I don't mind doing it, but I'd like some advice on the situation. Specifically, how much, if anything, I should get paid for this little adventure. Typical homestays are very expensive, from what I see on the internet. At the very least, I hope airfare (returning to Korea) is included because they want me to fly back with him. I don't plan to teach again at the school, but I do plan to travel SE Asia with friends, so returning to Asia would be beneficial for me.
Has anyone ever done this before? What is reasonable compensation for this? Thanks for any and all advice! |
I guess the Anti-English Spectrum was kind of right after all...... |
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cclose
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:26 am Post subject: |
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Well, first of all, I'm a female, if that makes any difference in the situation. This was my 2nd teaching contract, and I have been the only teacher at the school with prior experience. From the very beginning, the bosses have considered me the greatest thing since sliced kimchi. Many of my teaching habits and styles are now mandatory for the other teachers. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but the bosses trust me, and have been impressed with everything I do.
In addition to the close relationship with the bosses, I believe my family and location play a big part in their decision. I have a nephew the same age as the boy, so he would have a companion to hang out with (in fact, the two have talked on skype before). I also live in Southern California, close proximity to Disneyland and the beach. The boss went to UCLA for his degree, so he is familiar with the area. They both recognize what a fun and educational experience this could be for their son. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:40 am Post subject: Re: Bringing a student home to America |
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| cclose wrote: |
To begin, my contract is winding down and I have a few months left. My bosses (husband and wife) have a 10 year old son who has been one of my students since I started here. The son and I get along great, and apparently I'm the first foreign teacher he has ever liked.
Recently, the bosses have started discussing the possibility of me taking their son back to Southern California with me at the end of my contract for three weeks. I don't mind doing it, but I'd like some advice on the situation. Specifically, how much, if anything, I should get paid for this little adventure. Typical homestays are very expensive, from what I see on the internet. At the very least, I hope airfare (returning to Korea) is included because they want me to fly back with him. I don't plan to teach again at the school, but I do plan to travel SE Asia with friends, so returning to Asia would be beneficial for me.
Has anyone ever done this before? What is reasonable compensation for this? Thanks for any and all advice! |
As Radius said, this is a bizarre request. But I also think there are liability issues to consider.
What would be his housing conditions? Is he staying at your parents' house or at your bachelor's pad?
I'm not sure you can just bring someone else's kid with you from another country to the States. |
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cclose
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:44 am Post subject: |
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| He would stay with me at my parents' house in his own bedroom. |
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cragesmure
Joined: 23 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:55 am Post subject: |
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| The boss at my first hagwon asked me the same thing when I finished up that contract in 2003. She said she wanted her son to study in Australia, and maybe I could take care of him. I politely declined. I know it's only 3 weeks in your case, but what happens if the kid gets sick or injured? And aren't there things you want to do at home that would be impossible if you had a 10 year old kid tagging along? |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:57 am Post subject: |
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| cclose wrote: |
| He would stay with me at my parents' house in his own bedroom. |
Ok, well, that seems fine.
I'm also thinking what happens at immigration. Just bring a note from his father? |
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cclose
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:21 am Post subject: |
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| cragesmure wrote: |
| The boss at my first hagwon asked me the same thing when I finished up that contract in 2003. She said she wanted her son to study in Australia, and maybe I could take care of him. I politely declined. I know it's only 3 weeks in your case, but what happens if the kid gets sick or injured? And aren't there things you want to do at home that would be impossible if you had a 10 year old kid tagging along? |
Initially, I had planned to head straight to Thailand after my contract finishes. But I was stuck with the problem of what to do with all of my stuff, including a dog that I have adopted here. This brief trip home, hopefully funded by my bosses, solves the problem of how to get all of my stuff back to California before I head off to SE Asia and spend all my savings.
Sure there are many things that I want to do back home that would not be possible with a 10 year old Korean kid tagging along, but I hadn't planned on going home until October anyway. This mid-summer trip is an opportunity to drop everything off at home, instead of burdening my Seoulite friends with suitcases (and my dog).
And of course, there is always the possibility of something terrible happening. I've babysat my niece and nephews enough times to know I need some sort of temporary guardianship letter in case I'd ever need to take him to the hospital. I'd probably need such a letter or document anyway in order to clear immigration.
He's a very intelligent kid. One of those awesome students that makes the class fun. He has spent much of his youth around foreigners and he comes along to all of the staff dinners (which always include lots of soju, mekju, and eventually noraebang). I wouldn't be considering this if I thought it would be a bad idea. |
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Big Mac
Joined: 17 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 6:32 am Post subject: |
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| If you feel comfortable with it and your boss feels comfortable with it, then I say go for it. It'll be a great experience for the kid. |
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machinoman
Joined: 12 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:55 am Post subject: |
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i'm ashamed to admit that i haven't read anything other than the subject, but as time is a factor i felt i needed to respond right away. it is important that you NOT just take your student off to the united states! these kids have families, friends etc here and its important not to just whisk them off to a strange foreign country, even if that country is america.
its not a stray kitten people  |
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cclose
Joined: 31 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| machinoman wrote: |
i'm ashamed to admit that i haven't read anything other than the subject, but as time is a factor i felt i needed to respond right away. it is important that you NOT just take your student off to the united states! these kids have families, friends etc here and its important not to just whisk them off to a strange foreign country, even if that country is america.
its not a stray kitten people |
Then please reserve your opinion for the topics you actually read before replying. Don't waste your time or energy responding to something when you obviously don't care enough to read the whole story. |
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Cerulean
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Hello,
There was a thread about this a while ago. Try searching for home stay.
I wanted to point out some things to you.
1) Taking care of other peoples children is very stressful. 10 is still the age that needs A LOT of attention.
2) Take a friend for them.
3) Maybe instead of actual payment, the parents pay for your return flight. Take your stuff home and come back and do your Asia trip from here.
4) Find something for them to do. YMCA camp or city program or you fill their day with activities you do with them. Kids wandering around all day with no structure can make this experience horrible. Plan this as you would your lessons and plan back ups as well.
5) Plan their funds. Factor in admissions, your gas, long distance calls.
6) Make sure they have travel insurance.
7) Yes, you need some sort of document saying you are allowed to travel with them.
And are you sure about a 10 year old? I did this once with 10 and 12 year old sisters. The younger one had a hard time.
Good luck! |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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I'm curious- if this isn't such a fantastic experience, would you tell us about it?
First off, this isn't a member of your family. Just because they like you, there is a HUGE difference between babysitting for a few hours and caring for a child over 3 weeks.
Next, you will plan your time home around the child. You have to. That will be your job.
Last, you don't plan on returning to the school, so why go through the trouble of doing this? You are really weird, or a troll. |
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todes_8ngel
Joined: 06 Jun 2010
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| Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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My first year in Korea my parents hosted a 12 years old boy from Korea for one semester. I went home for two weeks during my break and spent some time with him. It was an awesome experience for all of us.
If you think you can dedicate that kind of time to make him feel comfortable for three weeks, then go for it. |
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