Summer Business Immersion Program

Summer Business Immersion Program

Host a student from Kazakhstan, and show them the love of Christ

July 6 through July 29, 2007

SBIP Host Family Expectations

E2 Educational Services (E2ES) a Washington State-based non-profit and its US partners annually produce the Summer Business Immersion Program (SBIP) as an opportunity for Kazak-American Free University (KAFU) American Business and Law students to match classroom content with hands-on American business practice.  But it is more.  It is an opportunity for these students from a traditionally Muslim, former Soviet Republic to experience Jesus Christ in your loving family relationships.

What is a Home Stay?

A Home Stay is relationship. KAFU students are eager to come to America to see how families live and how business gets done. But they have never been out of Kazakhstan before and they’re a little bit scared. Your family will play a major part in their summer by welcoming them into a safe, loving environment, helping them make sense of their American experiences, giving up a bedroom for three weeks, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. A Home Stay builds relationship bridges over which the love of Christ can be experienced and the Gospel travel.

In return your family will benefit from learning about a part of the world that few have experienced – Central Asia, a dynamic powerhouse of cultures emerging from 70 years of Soviet domination and eager to get reacquainted with the free world. The students will have pictures of their families, friends, pets, and school. Their English is good enough to converse on almost any topic, but you and your children can help them learn some essential American slang. In return, they can teach you some Russian or Kazakh language or cook an unusually good meal for you.

Besides a safe, loving home, what is expected of Host Families?

1. Provide a clean, private room with shared bath and meals in a warm family atmosphere

2. Help with transportation solutions to the job, together with host companies

3. Plan one or two weekend activities during their stay

4. Involve the student in your home and church community, if they so desire

Who are the students and what will they be doing? The students are 19 to 26 year old Kazakhs, Russians, and related peoples from east Kazakhstan. Most have never been out of their country but they have studied under American professors and, like kids around the world, have watched American TV and movies. Eight hours Monday through Friday they will have business immersion experiences in host companies. Evenings and weekends they are free to do leisure activities within the limits of program policies, which every host family will receive during their orientation.

Will the students come with what they need ? The students will have their own personal clothing and gear, plus a travel health insurance policy and money for buying souvenirs for their families.

Are there any rough spots? University students are transitioning from childhood to adulthood, add to that culture shock, 14 hours of time zone change, living with total strangers and learning an American company. We’re asking a lot in a short time. Things can occasionally become overwhelming. Godly wisdom, space, and firm love usually prevail. If not, call me. They really do want to be good guests. Thank you for your willingness to be their temporary ‘moms and dads’. This is perhaps the greatest adventure of their lives and they will always remember you for the significant part you played in it.

Essential information:

Host Family cost: 3 Meals per day plus some transportation Dates: July 6 – July 29, 2007 Locations: Portland, OR; Wheaton, IL; Austin, TX; Evansville, IN; Hartford, CN; Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; Dalton, GA

Contact: E2 Educational Services, #2572, 1420 NW Gilman Blvd, Ste 2, Issaquah, WA 98027, 425-260-1415, Email: tgoetsch@gmail.com