By on February 15th, 2016

Introducing Your Host Family to Your Culture

You chose to live with a host family during your international educational program or internship for many reasons: to study, work, improve your English, and learn the culture were surely at the top of the list. Likewise, your host family applied to host you for many reasons. One of those was probably to learn something about your culture in return, but how do you go about sharing details of your daily life surrounded by unfamiliarity? There are a few easy ways to introduce your host family to your culture that can lead to a lot of fun memories for everyone.

Entertainment

A very easy way to exchange cultural likes, norms, language, attitudes, and ideals, is through sharing entertainment. Watch a movie or a television show, read a book together, tell a traditional folk tale, or listen to or perform music from your home with your host family. With streaming Internet services, finding international entertainment is easier than ever. You could plan a monthly dinner where you and your hosts discuss a new movie or book from your culture and theirs. Helping them understand your native language in the movies or books is a great way to sharpen your English skills as well.

Teach a Cultural Skill

While people are individuals no matter where they are from, certain cultures place emphasis on the common knowledge and use of particular skills. Is there anything from your home that you do as a matter of tradition? Embroidery, dance, cooking a traditional meal, or playing a special game from your region are good examples. If your host family wants to learn, they may also be interested in inviting some friends and making an event out of your demonstration. Not only will you share a part of your culture, you could also make some new friends this way. And don’t forget to ask your hosts to teach you something from their culture in return.

Put On a Play

If your host family has children, or you can round up some willing friends, this would make a great special presentation to thank your hosts for being so welcoming. Perform a traditional folk tale or a story from the history of your home. Understanding the stories that shape modern habits and actions is an important part of learning a new culture. Traditional costumes, music, and food could be arranged to turn the play into a really special night. You could arrange to do this with your other exchange student or intern friends for each of their host families in turn.

Put Your Patriotism on Display

If there’s a big sporting or cultural event, like a ballet, political speech, or parade, coming up back home, arrange with your host family to make a night of the viewing. Decorate the television room in the colors of your flag or favorite team, and serve a favorite snack from back home while you watch. Explaining the game or event as you go encourages communication. You’ll all have a great time getting in the spirit of the event, and when the Macy’s Day Parade or the Super Bowl rolls around, your host family can return the gesture.

Helping your host family to learn about your culture will help you appreciate your time here as well. Reminiscing on your favorite things about your home will encourage your hosts to tell you similar details about American culture. You’ll all come away richer for the experience, and you can return home knowing that you left a little seed of your culture behind to grow with your new friends.