Student Handbook - NW Services

NWS STUDENT HANDBOOKSMOKING The legal age in the US for buying and smoking cigarettes is 18. No student is allowed to smoke while in the NWS program, regardless of age. Most Americans do not feel it is acceptable for teenagers to smoke. It isstrongly disapproved of in the U.S. American high schools do not allow smoking on school grounds and if you arecaught and suspended for this, it will lead to your dismissal from the program. Americans are very aware of health and safety issues regarding smoking. This isvery evident in health and safety codes which forbid smoking in theaters,grocery stores, many restaurants and other public places. Many Americans are offended and/or bothered by smoking.ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE If you choose to drink or take drugs you are breaking the law and it will lead toyour dismissal from the program. If you get into a situation where alcohol is being served or drugs are beingused, leave that situation. It is not worth throwing an entire year away. DO NOT get into a motorized vehicle with a driver who has been drinking orusing any drugs. It would be unrealistic if we were to tell you that you will not be confrontedwith alcohol or drug use in your community. It can be quite common amongAmerican teenagers despite the laws against it. Be mature and make the rightdecisions for your own safety and well-being. The situation is different for youas an exchange student because you run the risk of dismissal from the programand returning to your own country before the school year is finished. Laws about alcohol and drug use in the U.S. may be quite different from thosein your own country but as an exchange student you must abide by the laws ofthe country in which you are visiting.HITCHHIKINGStudents are forbidden to hitchhike. Do not hitchhike even if you are with afriend. Many hitchhikers become victims of crime every year in the U.S.DRIVINGNWS guidelines for taking Drivers Education courses: It is against NWS rules for any high school student to drive a car outside of anapproved Drivers Education course. Breaking this rule can lead to dismissal. Take the Drivers Education course at the end of your year or semester. You may need to take out additional insurance to cover you during the drivingcomponent of the course. Please check your insurance policy for details.Revised December 200954