You are now subscribed. Plus, you didn’t travel halfway around the world to stay in your room and stare at your phone, did you? Host families don't snoop through your belongings, but they do clean the house about once a week. Because in my mind, studying abroad is a go-big or go-home situation. There are ups and downs, but I'm convinced that nothing is warmer than coming home to a loving family in a new place.

When you live with a host family you will discover daily local rituals, foods and customs. I had a (now) laughably horrible night the first time my host mom, Isabel, made something I didn't like. getAreasFromMap : true,

"id": "HK", { Jinny, Hey Jinny, thank you for your comment. "id": "MX", Whether it's watching the news with them, going to the supermarket, or tagging along on family holidays, try to save time to chat with them and show that you are making an effort. But you don’t have to stay with your host family for the complete stay abroad. I am also given the opportunity to practice speaking … "id": "BZ", By showing photos of your home life, host families can learn a lot about your culture. She is on a lifelong quest to find her ultimate karaoke anthem and is always down for some good pizza. Be patient. (However, to be fair and polite, make sure you try everything before you say that you don’t like it.). "id": "TC", "id": "MY",

Too bad he didn’t learn the language since the family was very good in English. While it's important to feel like a member of the family and feel at home, it's equally important to remember that you are a guest as well. Noticing and accepting cultural differences is part of expanding your horizons and becoming a more open-minded and mature person. If you don’t like the radio station in the car or the shows everyone is watching on TV, take a deep breath and don’t complain. Spaniards are all about forming relationships, and your presence is the best way to show that you're interested in and care about them. I brought them a Moravian Star and chocolate from a local store, and they loved learning about their significance and where I came from; it was a great conversation starter on my first night! These little gestures will show the family that you appreciate how they’ve opened up their home to you. }, Your email address will not be published. My Ecuadorian hosts taught me that a shot of tequila mixed with herbal tea would help me digest the roasted guinea pig they fed me for lunch. Not only a cost-effective accommodation … It’s important to understand that integrating yourself into a new family, even if just for a few weeks, won’t come without challenges. Of course you can and should spend time with your new friends from school, but why not spend some quality time with your host family as well? If you stay with a local family and make the effort to observe and learn from them. The words “host family” and “homestay” are usually associated with foreign exchange students, but living with host families isn’t just for young people studying abroad! I know when I stay with a local host family, I am contributing directly to their neighbourhood and not some polished corporation. Again, do your research beforehand. I have been looking looking around for this kind of information.

You may notice it feels different living with a host “parent”, especially when you are used to freedom and independence as an adult. ] Keep your room clean, don’t leave the dishes in the sink or the empty milk jug in the fridge. areas :
You can perfect your language skills. Try to be at home for the meals and help set the table or do the dishes. Eating food and using the bathroom are universal human experiences, but they can vary a lot from place to place. "id": "LU", Don’t be a diva and use all of the hot water while blocking the shared bathroom from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Do not invite friends or visitors to a sleepover and only bring them to dinner if they were clearly invited. Food is a fantastic way to get to know people and sitting around a dinner table is like a fun way to pick up new words and practice your conversation skills. A little random, but Spaniards like to keep things clean and rarely go barefoot in their homes. }, Even though you may not think of these as typical avenues, I have seen host families listed on all these sites. },

There’s a chance that your mom makes better meatloaf, and that you don’t want to eat potatoes five times a week. You might get a surprise here! Here are some of the pros and cons of living with a host family: The advantages with a host family 1. Each family home stay has a $75 USD setup fee that includes processing your Immersion Pre-Program Interview, selecting and reserving your host family, airport or bus station pickup at home stay location and transfer to home stay.Home stays in Boquete and Bocas del Toro do not include transfer from Panama City nor pickup in Panama City, but pickup in Panama City can be arranged for $45 extra, and … Don’t let a language barrier discourage you! You will find out how local families celebrate holidays, how they eat and interact with each other and with their neighbours. { { "showAsSelected": true { Discover the world and study a language abroad, The latest on travel, languages and culture by EF Education First, Get the latest on travel, languages and culture in the GO newsletter, Learning a language is the key to an international future, 10 superhero TV shows to learn English with, How to memorize new vocabulary faster: 9 tips, 7 English words that nobody uses anymore (but totally should), G’day, mate: 10 Aussie expressions to master, 10 things only those who lived in Germany understand.
Staying with a host family is a great way to contribute to sustainable and responsible travel. I loved our post-siesta chats and cheesy reality TV time. It's also okay to ask about people in photos, or special things in the glass case--chances are, they'll enjoy telling you and helping you. For example, I contacted a Spanish school in Guatemala, even though I wasn’t interested in studying Spanish at the time. Here’s a pro tip: many languages are available for offline download on Google translate so that you can use it without internet. [ "showAsSelected": true Show them that you acknowledge that you are a guest and are respectful of their space and furniture; it's the least you can do! backgroundColor : "#ffffff", I am currently living in Italy for one year(exchange year), and in the moments when I’m homesick, pages like this one really help me! Who knows, maybe you even discover a new hobby or make new friends along the way. Let’s face it: it’s kind of what you signed up for. { After all, an important reason to go study abroad is to go wild and crazy in a place where nobody knows you and you will never see these people again. { "id": "NO", But you don’t have to stay with your host family for the complete stay abroad. areasSettings : { I’m from Holland and I’m 18 years old.

When I started at The University of Alabama, I was certain of two things: I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, and I wanted to live with a host family. It’s always great to do enough inquiries first. selectedColor : "#53798b",