Host Families

Creating Opportunities

Daniel Abrahão and Next Level Sports Student-Athletes at the 2011 Easter Egg festivel

Through our programs athletes from all over the world have the chance to come to the United States to continue their education and compete in their sports. This is something very special and no other country in the world offers such opportunity. Typically around High School/College age most athletes overseas have to opt between pursuing a professional sports career (the ones that are good enough to do so) or pursuing their studies.

 

Next Level Sports is always looking for U.S Families that are willing to host International Students.

Language and Cultural Awareness

Our Athletes at a Cancer Benefit event in Charlotte, NC

Many of our student-athletes come to the United States prior to enrolling at a university and that’s where you as a Host-Family would be of great help. We encourage our athletes to spend some time in the U.S (usually between 1-3 months) in order to better expose their athletic talent to College Coaches. This period is also crucial for their language development and cultural awareness. What better way to learn the language and culture of the United States than spending time with an American Family?

Lifetime Friendships

Hosting an international student-athlete is truly a rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to learn about a different country and culture and feel good knowing you provided someone with a very unique opportunity. For families with Children, hosting an International Student-Athlete a great opportunity to expose their kids to a different culture at an early age. Our athletes typically make long-lasting friendships with their hosts.

Daily Life of a Student-Athlete

Our athlete Lucas Zanca (right) and his host-brothers Adam and Sam (left)

The routine of our student-athletes in the USA is a very hectic one. Their typical day consists of practice in the early morning, English classes, and more practice in the afternoons. On the weekends they participate in competitions and travel to visit colleges and universities. Needless to say they have to be very disciplined and dedicated.

Safety

Next Level Sports carefully screens applicants before they can enroll in our program. Our International Coordinators conduct face-to-face interviews with the student-athletes and their families in their home country and in order to obtain a U.S Visa they must go through an extensive background check. In addition to that Our Staff in the U.S is always around and very involved with the student-athletes on a regular basis, taking them college visits, tournaments, etc.

Commitment

The typical commitment is usually between 1-3 months and sometimes we have student-athletes that stay for as long as an entire academic year (while enrolled at a U.S High School). The duties and responsibilities of hosting a student-athlete include:

  • Providing the student-athlete with a place in your home (own bedroom or shared bedroom)
  • Incorporate the student-athlete as part of your family (family meals, activities, trips, etc)
  • Provide transportation to classes, practices, etc (Preference is given to families that reside at a location where student-athlete has access to public transportation or within walking/biking distance to his/her activities)

Athletes Fernando and Dimas with their Host family and children

Compensation

Next Level Sports negotiates compensation on a case-by-case basis. We do understand that sometimes hosting someone in your home can be a bit of a burden (meals, utilities, transportation, etc) so we can certainly pay a Hosting Fee for your generous action. Ultimately, we want to ensure that families are hosting our student-athletes for the experience and will provide a welcoming and positive environment.

Requirements

  • Provide the student-athlete with a safe, positive and welcoming environment.
  • Preference is given to families with children (especially around same age as student-athlete).
  • Drug-Free household.
  • Next Level Sports will conduct a Home Interview.

Location

Next Level Sports is currently looking for families in the following areas:

  • Triad, NC (Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High-Point and surrounding areas)
  • South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami and surrounding areas)
  • Roanoke, VA

If you are interested in hosting an International Student-Athlete or would like more information about our Host-Family program please click here.