By on January 4th, 2016

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Homestays With Host Families

Whether you’re an individual student planning an educational trip to the US or you’re planning a trip for a group of students, you might not have considered all of the benefits and opportunities that come with homestays with host families near the college or university you’ll be attending.

You’re Really a Part of the Family – From the Beginning

It seems odd to step off a plane in a foreign country and then walk into a bunch of strangers’ home to be welcomed as a part of the family, but that’s exactly what happens when you’re placed in a homestay. You’re not just a roommate that these people take on for a few months to make some extra money – you’re a temporary but real part of their family.

A Lot of Work Goes Into Matching You With Your Host Family

To make this process easier and more natural, when you’re placed in a homestay, USH works hard to make sure that we’ve found a great match for you and your host family. We start by screening all host family applicants, but then we go through all of the information we have on their needs and yours before we make a match. You can ask students and families who’ve worked with us – we’re pretty great matchmakers!

You’re Going to Eat What Your Host Family Eats

On that note, we’ll make sure that your host family knows about any dietary restrictions that you have and that they’re amenable to working with you on what you can and can’t eat. We do this because you’re going to be eating with your host family, and you’re going to be eating what they eat. That’s part of the education and fun of staying with a local American family.

You’re Not Always Going to Be Comfortable

Culture shock is a real experience, and you’re not always going to feel entirely comfortable with the situations you find yourself in. That doesn’t mean you have to just put up with feeling uneasy. If you talk to them about what makes you uncomfortable, your host family should be able to help you understand different customs and/or help you avoid the things that really don’t work for you.

You’re Going to Learn English a Lot Faster

At first, communication may be a little bit difficult, but because you’ll be immersed in the language and living with people who want to communicate with you, you might find that you learn English a lot faster than students who live on their own or with other students from their own countries.

Staying with a host family is one of the most positive experiences that an international student can have. Get in touch with us today to learn more!