Amity Institute

Building International Friendship and Cultural Understanding Through Teaching Exchange.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amity Institute?
Amity Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and U.S. State Department designated BridgeUSA J-1 program sponsor.  Founded in 1962, the Amity programs were based on the belief that language learning and cultural exchange are essential to building international friendship within our global community.  This philosophy is still at the core of the organization.
How long will the intern stay with our family?
Interns will stay with a Host Family for a minimum of eight weeks. They can stay longer and Host Family assignments vary from school to school. 
Are Host Families paid?
Host Families are volunteers and provide free room and board to Amity Interns.
Has my intern had a security of police background check?
Yes. All interns have a clean police record in their home country. 
What should we expect of the intern?
They will participate in a cross-cultural exchange that will be a challenging and educational experience for all involved.  The intern and members of the Host Family must work to understand and communicate with each other.  Hosts should remember that interns have placed themselves in a foreign environment for the purpose of expanding their knowledge of education and culture.  Their highest priority is the internship at school.  Both the Host Family and the intern will have their own initial expectations of what the experience will be like and should communicate openly with each other.
What happens if the intern gets sick?
Each intern must have sickness/accident insurance throughout the entire time they are in the U.S.  Many use an insurance policy recommended by Amity. If interns get sick or need medical attention, they should go to a local doctor, medical/emergency center or the emergency room at a local hospital that accepts their insurance.  The intern may have to pay out-of-pocket to cover some initial expenses.  They will need to find out the exact procedure in regards to how to use their insurance and should carefully follow instructions provided by their insurance carrier in order to receive reimbursement. 
Can the intern act as a babysitter?
Like any family member, interns are expected to help out around the house.  However, interns are not live-in babysitters and should not be expected to perform the duties appropriate for an au pair, such as child care, housesitting or housework beyond that of other family members. 
Can the intern use the family car?
Interns are permitted to drive only if they hold a valid driver’s license.  They may not drive their Host Family’s car unless a prior written agreement has been signed between the parties, including insurance issues and potential damages.
Who can I contact if there is a problem?
The local School Coordinator is your primary contact. Your assigned Amity Program Counselor is also available to answer your questions and assist with your concerns.
What should we do if the intern asks us to help him/her stay longer in the U.S.?
The Educational Internship Program is limited to the original program dates stated on the intern’s J-1 visa sponsorship document DS-2019 and the T/IPP form DS-7002.  All interns have to return home at the end of their assignment.  The program cannot be extended beyond the original term. 
What can I do to make sure that our experience is successful?
Clear, positive communication is the key to success. Please do not assume that your Intern understands your expectations unless you have taken the time to discuss them directly.  

 

Host Family Information

This experience changed my life! Now, I have more dreams and some other goals. I'm so thankful for everything that I've learned. I want to continue growing as a human and as a teacher. The Amity program is one the best things that ever happened to me." - Michelle, 2018-2019 Intern

We have been working with Amity for several years. Learning about different cultures, communities, traditions, music, arts, dances and more, helps our students to see the world as a global place fostering diversity and respect. Having a second adult in the classroom helps our teachers to be able to have more individualized attention to students and work on small groups. Amity has been a wonderful organization to work with, reliable and accessible, bringing highly qualified young people to work in our school."- Maria Buceta Miller, Amity School Coordinator, John Stanford International School

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amityinstitute

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor 🇺🇲 (BridgeUSA)
International friendship+cultural understanding through teaching exchange 🌍
Admissions is now open!

Amity Institute
We hope everyone is having a great start to 2023! We hope everyone is having a great start to 2023! 

Amity Interns: Ana, Lucia, and Paula rang in the New Year in New York! 🗽🎆

#j1 #BridgeUSA @exchangeourworld
Amity Teacher, Mr. Lumapas, shared a photo of the Amity Teacher, Mr. Lumapas, shared  a photo of the "annual “Sinulog sa Needles” and Sinulog Festival in celebration for Sñr. Sto. Niño de Cebu on his feast day." 🇵🇭

#j1 #BridgeUSA @exchangeourworld
Amity Interns placed in Washington enjoying their Amity Interns placed in Washington enjoying their time in Las Vegas, Nevada! 🌟

#J1 #BridgeUSA @ExchangeOurWorld
We still have internships available for for our 20 We still have internships available for for our 2023-2024 school year!

We are currently looking for applicants that speak Spanish, German, and French! 

If you are currently enrolled full-time or have graduated within the past 12 months, have an interest in a career in education, have sufficient proficiency in the English language, and are enthusiastic about sharing your  culture and native language with U.S. students, we would love to have you apply!

Fill out our Pre-Application on our website and e-mail us at mail@amity.org if you have any questions!

Pictured here: Amity Interns placed in Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School in Minnesota.
"I'm sending you some pictures of my Christmas exp "I'm sending you some pictures of my Christmas experience with my host family! We decorated cookies and visited different Christmas lights. I'm enjoying my time with them." 

Pictured here: Intern Fatima from El Salvador 🇸🇻

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing how everyone is celebrating Christmas! Thank you all for sharing your photos with Amity - we'd love to see how you ring in 2023! 

#J1 #bridgeusa
"Thank you for this big opportunity. I wanted too "Thank you for this big opportunity. I wanted too share some memories with my host family. It is my first Christmas in the United Stated and I love it and I am enjoying every single moment here."

Pictured here: Amity Intern, Cristina with her host-family.

#J1 #bridgeusa
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Address: 1775 Hancock Street, Suite 170 San Diego, CA 92110 Ph: 619.222.7000

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