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HOST Program Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I use the HOST program? We ask that you limit the use of the program to 2 times so that we are able to accommodate as many students as possible. If you have more than 2 requests, we will work with your requests, but will do so with other students in mind. We ask that students submit their requests at least two weeks prior to any trip in order to provide adequate time to search for a host.
Are my spouse/partner and children allowed to stay with me? While many hosts welcome significant others, this is a host specific decision. The student should contact his/her host upon a successful match to discuss this possibility of bringing along guests to stay with the host family.
Can I stay with a host for more than one day? Absolutely, but this is something that the student should discuss with his/her host upon successful match. We have had some alumni host students for a week while the student completed several interviews in the region. Other alumni have hosted students for 3 days just so the student could get a better travel rate on a Saturday stay over flight. We will work with our alumni volunteers to best suit your travel needs.
Who are the HOST volunteers? All hosts are IU School of Medicine alumni - they have attended the Indiana University School of Medicine for all of part of their medical education.
Where are HOSTs available? There are almost 17,000 IU School of Medicine alumni throughout the world - so there are potentially hosts anywhere you want to travel. If you have a question of whether or not there is a host in an area that you are interested in, please call our office at (317) 274-8828.
If I register for a HOST, what are my chances of a successful match? The decision to host a student lies with the alumnus. The Alumni Relations Office will search for alumni in the vicinity of each request for an alumnus who is willing to host a student. If none are found, the student will be notified. It is always a good idea for the student to book alternative lodging that could be canceled if and when a host is identified. We ask that students submit their requests at least two weeks prior to any trip in order to provide adequate time to search for a host.
What can I expect from the host? We simply ask the alumni hosts to provide overnight accommodations in their home for you, although many hosts go above and beyond by offering transportation to and from interviews and airports, home cooked meals, guided tours of the area and invaluable professional insight on the regional medical community and your prospective medical center. Transportation to and from the interview city is the responsibility of the student.
How do I sign up to utilize the HOST program? Fill out the Student Registration Form to let us know when and where you will be traveling. We ask that you let us know about your travels as soon as possible so we can have as much time as possible to contact and find a host for you. At least two to three weeks is appreciated to help identify a host.
Do I contact the alumni host? After you have completed the Student Registration Form, we will contact potential hosts and secure their interest and availability. We will then provide you with the host’s information and a pre and post visit check list for your visit. It is then up to you to contact your host and share the details of your travel and interview plans and arrange your stay. We ask that you contact them as soon as we give you their information so they know that you are definitely staying with them. If plans change, you can always contact them again.
How far in advance should I contact my host? Contact your host as soon as we give you their information. If you are matched early, contact your host right away and again when it gets closer to the date of your travel. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Once a match is made by the Alumni Relations Office, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange visit details with the host. The only other contact the Alumni Relations Office will make with the student and host is a post-visit evaluation.
What do I do if my travel or interview plans change or get cancelled? Contact your host as soon as possible and let them know about the change in plans. Also, please inform the Alumni Relations Office of the change as soon as you can by calling (317) 274-8828.
Do I need to do anything after returning from using the HOST program? Yes, we ask that you send a thank you note to the alumnus who hosted your stay. We will provide you with a post-visit check list that includes this reminder. This appreciation is vital to ensure that the host is satisfied and wants to participate in the HOST program in the future.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the HOST program? Please contact Jayme Little of the Indiana University School of Medicine Alumni Relations Office at jtlittle@iupui.edu or at 317-274-8828.
