YFU Handbooks 2015 Family Handbook (Study Abroad) | Page 38

the student is calling and how the call will be paid for. If a
student is using a calling card, he or she needs to be sure
that there is enough value on the card to cover the cost
of the call. However, if the student has the host family’s
permission to charge the call to their telephone bill, the
student should find out how much the call will cost and
watch the clock when calling. The student should pay the
host family back immediately.
Budgeting and paying for calls: To budget for any calls
home and avoid problems with the host family over bills,
YFU recommends the use of pre-paid telephone calling
card. If phone calls are charged to the host family’s bill the
student is expected to pay all of his or her portion promptly
and before leaving the host country. The host family is not
expected to pay bills for a student.
VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW
Policy: The nature and seriousness of the offense will
determine procedure and possible outcome. Criminal
prosecution for theft/shoplifting may be cause for an
Early Return.

38 - Study Abroad Family Handbook

When an arrest is made or a court appearance is scheduled,
the students and natural parents must be informed that
YFU USA recommends that the student retain a lawyer. The
student and the natural parents are responsible for all costs
related to legal representation.
YFU may make a decision regarding the student’s program
status regardless of the outcome of any legal proceeding.
If a student is either convicted of an offense requiring
him or her to stay in the host country, or the court date is
after the regularly scheduled departure, the student will
be considered off program as of flight time. The student
and natural parents are responsible for any and all further
arrangements.