Q. What is ATAD?

A. The Association for Teen-Age Diplomats is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization established in 1951. ATAD coordinates high school exchanges between the Rochester area and many of Rochester’s Sister Cities, as well as cities in Turkey and Peru.

Q. What cities are part of the program?

A. See Go Abroad

Q. What types of families can host?

A. Families with two working parents, single parent families, and families with or without teenagers all can be wonderful Host Families. Families must have a successful interview with an ATAD representative.

Q. What are the expectations of a Host Family?

A. A Host Family provides a bed, study area, and three meals a day for the exchange student. The expectation is that the exchange student will be an integral part of the family. This is a home stay for the student to experience ordinary family life. The Host Family is not expected to give the student an allowance; the student provides his/her own spending money and health insurance.

Q. How will the exchange experience benefit the Host Family and exchange student?

A. Each will learn about another culture and language, while gaining a broader perspective of the world. You may also learn more about your own culture as you share with your student and/or family. The experience could develop into a life-long relationship.

Q. How much does it cost for an American student to go overseas?

A. See Go Abroad

Q. What are the age and language requirements for an American student going overseas?

A. See Go Abroad

Q. What are the age and language requirements for an International Student going to the Rochester area?

A. The International Student must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to participate in the exchange program. Year and semester students must be able to handle reading and writing school assignments in English.

Q. Where can I get an application?

A. For American students going overseas: hyperlink

For International students applying to go to the Rochester area: Please send an e-mail to ATAD (hyperlink) with your name, address, school name, telephone number, FAX number, and e-mail address, and a representative in your home country will contact you.

Q. Do I need to purchase special health insurance?

A. For American students going overseas: ATAD requires that all American students be covered by medical insurance while overseas in the amount of $50,000 per accident or illness, with a deductible not in excess of $500 per accident or illness. Additional insurance tailored to exchange students can be purchased through ATAD at a very reasonable cost.

For International students applying to go to the Rochester area: United States laws require a special type of insurance for exchange students coming to the US. The insurance must be purchased through ATAD, and meets all United States requirements.

Q. Can I travel while overseas?

A. ATAD is a home-stay program, not a travel program. ATAD does not permit independent travel. Students should not expect to visit family or friends while overseas.

Q. Can I stay overseas longer after the program is over, for example to attend college or to travel?

A. ATAD cannot grant an extension of stay. Students are required to return to their home country at the end of the program.

Q. What kind of support can we expect? What if there is a problem?

A. A support person is assigned to each student and family and is in contact with you on a regular basis. If a problem arises, the ATAD support network is there to help resolve the situation.