has meant if you are kept informed of your child ’ s activities . But do not expect your child to spend so much time contacting home that there is no time to do anything else .
Encourage your child to send a card or letter soon after arrival . Do not expect a telephone call the moment your child arrives or even in the first 24 hours because it may not be possible .
Natural families and home country friends are strongly discouraged from visiting the exchange student during the program year , especially during the initial adjustment period . The interruption breaks the continuity of the relationship with the host family and may lessen the exchange experience for the student and the host family . This break sometimes leads to adjustment difficulties so serious that YFU may consider Early Return of the student to his / her home country . Natural families who consider such visits must contact their YFU National or Regional Office before any arrangements are made . Host families must not be expected to accommodate visiting family members or friends with regard to room , meals or transportation .
34 - Study Abroad Family Handbook
COUNSELING
Policy : YFU offers counseling services to students and host families , if needed . These services include help from area representatives and consultation , evaluation , and counseling by professional counselors .
Students should always try to talk first with their host families if they have problems . If this does not work students should speak to their area representatives .
DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES
Policy : Youth For Understanding may withhold authorization for any activity if it is considered hazardous or unacceptable for the student to participate . The following activities are strictly prohibited : hang-gliding , parachute jumping , piloting a private plane , bungee jumping , parasailing , and driving a car or motorcycle .
National or Regional Directors may permit or prohibit some activities judged to involve an element of danger or a range of danger . Written permission will be required from both natural parents and host parents to authorize the student to participate . This permission must satisfy the YFU National Organization in the hosting country and must release Youth For Understanding and the host family from all responsibility during the time the student is involved in that activity . Further , it will be the responsibility of the student and natural parents alone to obtain additional insurance if necessary .
DRIVING
Policy : Exchange students are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles . This policy applies even if the student has an International Driver ’ s License or the host family thinks that the student is a responsible and careful driver . Violators of this policy will be considered for Early Return .
Permission to use farm equipment , trail bikes and mopeds is different in each country , and the decision is left to the hosting National Office . If the hosting National Office allows the student to use one of the above vehicles , the student is expected to take safety precautions and obey the laws . See Dangerous Activities for rules regarding farm equipment , trail bikes and mopeds .
DRUGS
Policy : Youth For Understanding students may not buy , sell , possess , or use drugs that are illegal in their home or host country . Violators of this policy will be considered for Early Return . A verified violation normally includes physical evidence , student admission of usage or reliable witnesses who have seen the student with or using drugs .
EARLY RETURN DEFINITIONS
Voluntary Early Return : When a student wants to return home early , and the natural parents agree with this decision .
Involuntary Early Return : When the host YFU country decides , based on stated guidelines , including consultation , that a student should be removed from the YFU program and returned home to his / her home country .
Occasionally , a student may be returned early to the United States . This usually happens because the student cannot adjust to the host country , has personal problems , breaks a major YFU policy , violates host country law , or has problems at home with the natural family . Please see the definitions for Early Return in the YFU Basic Standards in the previous chapter .
EMPLOYMENT
Policy : Laws regarding exchange students ’ employment are different in each country . Many countries limit employment as a condition for giving visas to visitors . Participants in the YFU program are not permitted to work full-time during their stay . Students should refer to the laws in their host country regarding other kinds of employment ( e . g ., parttime , casual ).