When host families become unavailable:
In preparation for a new academic year we will begin planning many months before to try and ensure the year runs as smoothly as possible for host families and students. To check a host family’s availability for the coming academic year we will email host families in June with dates from sample schools within your general area. We ask that hosts respond to this with as much detail as possible as this will directly affect where we plan to place return and new students for the following year.
Certain times of the year will clearly be busier than others for students requiring host families. We understand that host families might have holidays and special occasions planned throughout the year that might conflict with the student events. All Bright World asks is that you notify us as soon as possible if you will not be able to host a student(s) for certain dates.
Becoming a host family for Bright World means that you buy into a commitment to become an important part of a students life. Many host families build a lasting relationship with students and is the reason why we aim to provide a consistent host. Last minute changes of host families can therefore impact on the students experience as it takes time to arrange a substitute host family, change various arrangements with the school and travel, as well as communicating this with the student and third parties.
When the student cancels or changes their plans:
While recognising that we ask host families to commit to certain times of years and dates, unfortunately the nature of hosting students can mean that plans and arrangements for students can change very last minute. Bright World is as committed to determining students plans in advance as we are to gaining host family availability. We ask students what their requirements are well in advance of the coming year and regularly check that we hold the latest information to avoid disruption to host families and students alike. However students can and will change and cancel plans which will impact directly on host families and expected students stays. While we recognise this is likely to happen with students, we also recognise the impact this has on host families if a student cancels at the last minute. Therefore if a students plans change within 7 days of a host family expecting to host them, a cancellation fee will be made as per below. Please note that this will only be paid if you receive a Final Confirmation Email, not if you have only received a Check or Reminder email.
Student cancels within 7 days of the start date and you have received the Host Family Final Confirmation Email:
You will receive 50% of the fees for up to the first 7 days. (we do not ever pay cancellation for more than 7 days)
Student cancels longer than 7 days of the start date:
No cancellation fees are payable even if you have received the Final Confirmation Email
Cancellation occurs less than 48 hours after we have asked you to host:
No cancellation fees are payable