





Assignment Description
The following items should pertain to each Intern's assignment:
• Participants are assigned to a Supervising Teacher
• Participants will play a flexible role, commonly including:
- Providing conversation practice with groups/individuals
- Giving cultural presentations
- Modeling pronunciation
- Participating in extracurricular activities related to language/culture
- Assist with developing materials for language practice
- Assisting the teacher in the classroom/co-teaching
- Participants are not permitted to teach independently on a regular basis or work as substitute teachers
Schedule
Participants assist at school for up to 32 hours a week, including preparation time, staff meetings and regular
extra-curricular activities at school. Participants may be asked occasionally to participate in special events; this
participation is expected in addition to the regular 32 hours. Employment in addition to the assignment is not permitted.
QUESTIONS
Click on the links below to learn more about each topic.
How do I become an applicant?
What are my chances of receiving an assignment?
How can I improve my chances of getting an assignment?
How do I maintain an active application?
What is an assignment?
How long is an Amity assignment?
Where are assignments located?
What will my assignment responsibilities be?
What are my financial responsibilities?
What are my insurance responsibilities?
How do I know if I have an assignment?
What happens after I am invited?
What if I accept an invitation, but cannot come?
How do I become an applicant?
1. Complete an Amity application
2. Interview with Amity Screening Officer
What are my chances of receiving an assignment?
In recent years, approximately 90% of those who have applied and maintained an active application have received an
assignment. However, there is no guarantee that an applicant will receive an assignment.
How can I improve my chances of getting an assignment?
• Submit all requested documents promptly
• Maintain a flexible period of availability.
• Be open to assisting at all school levels
• Be willing to go to any region in the United States.
• Notify Amity Institute of any change in your contact information, even temporary changes (address, telephone and cell
phone numbers, and email address).
How do I maintain an active application?
Correspond with Amity Institute monthly by email (mail@amity.org). Please include any changes to availability, experience,
or contact information. The correspondences will help Amity get to know the applicant better as well. If an applicant fails
to correspond on a monthly basis, Amity will send the applicant a Drop notice. If the applicant does not respond to the
notice, the application will be dropped.
What is an assignment?
An assignment consists of the assignment at a host school and cultural exchange experience in the community. Amity
assignments vary in length of stay, location, school, stipend and specific duties and responsibilities.
How long is an Amity assignment?
Amity offers various assignment lengths during the U.S. school year which generally runs from August/September to
May/June.
The most commonly requested assignment lengths from U.S. schools are:
• Full school year (August/September to May/June, approximately ten months)
• Semester (Fall - August/September to December/January or Spring - December/January to May/June, approximately five
months)
• No assignment can exceed 12 months.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Cultural Exchange Program provides opportunities to share
the participant's native language and culture with the students
and community. In addition, participants are gaining teaching
skills under the direct supervision of a certified teacher in an
American classroom.
The program is geared toward students and recent graduates
who are preparing for careers in the educational field.
Participants assist at school for up to 32 hours per week and
live with American Host Families. Assignments can last for up to
12 months.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered as an Amity Intern all applicants must be:
• Between 21 and 30
• Currently enrolled in degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution
• or have graduated from such institution within 12 months prior to program begin date
• Pursuing a career in education
• Conversational English skills
Most importantly the applicant must have an enthusiasm for working with American students and enjoy intercultural
communication!
PROGRAM INFORMATION
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Expenses
Host Family Life
Assignment Description
Schedule
Expenses to be paid by the participant
Before applying, the following expenses should be taken into consideration by both the Intern and the Host School:
• Application fee (non-refundable) US $150
• SEVIS: $180
• Visa application fee: $150
• Cost of mandatory Health Evaluation
• Cost of Criminal Clearance in home country
• Round-trip airline ticket: Varies by location and season
• Accident/Sickness insurance coverage (Approximately US $75 per month), must be purchased prior to arrival for
entire length of assignment
• Proof of funds for personal spending money required in the amount of US $150 per month minimum
Host Family Life
Please review the following qualifications of a participant's Host Family placement:
• Participants receive room and board free of charge from the Host Family
• Participants have a private bedroom in the home
• Participants will often live with multiple families during the course of an
assignment, but should not be moved more than once every eight weeks
• Participants will actively participate in family life and household chores
• Participants are responsible for all additional living expenses
• Participants are responsible for own transportation during free time
Where are assignments located?
Amity works with many participating schools throughout the U.S. The
majority of the schools are in the Midwest, and small town or suburban
locations. There are very few assignments in the major U.S. cities such
as Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, or New York.
What will my responsibilities be?
• Share your native language at school and in the community
• Assist in the classroom under the guidance of supervising teacher
• Give cultural presentations
• Participate in extra-curricular activities
• Lead discussion groups in your native language
• Participate in activities and interact with your Host Family
What are my financial responsibilities?
• $150 application fee paid to Amity Institute.
• $180 SEVIS fee
• $150 Visa application fee
• Travel expenses to and from the United States. A round-trip ticket must be purchased prior to arrival in the U.S.
• Personal expense money, a minimum of $150 per month. This covers costs for clothing, travel, entertainment, telephone,
and gifts.
• Cost of insurance for entire assignment (approximately $75 per month)
If you do not have enough money for the personal expenses, health insurance, and a round-trip ticket you will not be
considered for the Amity program. Proof of financial resources must be provided with application.
Do not expect to earn additional money during your assignment. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of a
minimum of $150, as well as free room and board - employment in addition to the internship is not permitted per visa
regulation.
What are my insurance responsibilities?
You must have accident/sickness insurance that includes evacuation/repatriation insurance which meets the US government
requirements for the entire time you are in the US, beginning from the day you leave for your assignment till the day you
depart for your home country. Insurance for the entire period of your assignment must be purchased. You must send
proof of insurance to the Amity office before you leave your home country.
How do I know if I have an assignment?
The invitation for an assignment must come from Amity Institute. Amity will contact you by email or telephone and inform
you that you have received an invitation. That is the only way to receive an assignment. We encourage schools to contact
applicants for an interview, but they are not authorized to give an official invitation.
Before you accept an assignment, be sure to be:
• Available to come.
• Verify the dates of the assignment with your employer or university.
• Prepared to adapt to new circumstances, home and work environment.
• Able to fulfill the financial requirements.
• Able to have support from family and friends.
• Healthy: physically and mentally.
What happens after I am invited?
1. An Amity Program Counselor will be assigned to you. The Program Counselor provides information, guidance, support,
encouragement, and assistance with any problems from the beginning of the assignment until the end.
2. Your Program Counselor will send you information about the assignment, visa, insurance and preparations necessary prior
to arrival. Program Counselors are available via email or phone for any questions.
What if I accept an invitation, but cannot come?
If you are unable to fulfill an assignment due to an emergency you will be released from the program. You must inform Amity
immediately so a replacement can be found. Depending on the circumstances, your application may be dropped, deferred
or considered for future assignments depending upon the circumstances. You may be able to reapply at a later time if you
will be meet program eligibility requirements.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM APPLICATION
Thank you very much for your interest in the Amity Cultural Exchange Program!
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify all applicants must be:
• Between 21 and 30
• Currently enrolled in a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution
• or have graduated from such institution within 12 months prior to program begin date
• Pursuing a career in education
• Conversational English skills
Most importantly the applicant must have an enthusiasm for working with American students and enjoy intercultural
communication!
ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED
Important - Read before completing the Pre-Application: Clicking on the "Submit Button" at the end of the
Pre-Application will open a window called "Select Email Client" with two options. Read both options and click on the option
that best describes how you send mail to attach your Pre Application to an email. Option 2 is for Hotmail, Yahoo and similar
Internet email services and requires that you first save your completed pre-application and then manually attach it to an
email that you address to mail@amity.org. MAC users may have to print out the completed pre-application and email a
scanned copy.
Cultural Exchange
Program
As part of their cultural exchange experience participants bring their own languages and cultures to
life, engage and motivate students and leave them with new confidence in their ability to
communicate across borders. Participants inform and inspire, helping students better understand
other parts of the world. Participants will shape the local community's perspective on their
country, its culture and people. Participants also learn about U.S. culture and gain a deeper
understanding of their own.
The final program goal is that participants return home and share what they have learned and
experienced with their own communities.