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Page last updated by CRT on 25 April 2024
Student Voices
Student Voices
Living in a homestay is a truly unique opportunity to understand how locals live and is an integral part of any language or foreign studies program.
Living in a homestay is a truly unique opportunity to understand how locals live and is an integral part of any language or foreign studies program.
Danny Armella Tangarife, '24, studied away in winter 2022 on the French LSA+ in Toulouse.
Homestay Benefits
Homestay Benefits
Homestays are Immersive
Homestays are Immersive
The potential benefits of a homestay experience include enhanced language acquisition, valuable cultural insights, connections to the local community, learning to live like a local, and relationships that can last a lifetime.
Homestays are Unique
Homestays are Unique
We understand that living with a homestay host comes with a variety of different expectations and potential fears.
Not all homestay hosts are families, and not all families are going to be “traditional” or have children your age but each of them has a unique perspective to share.
You are a Part of the Experience
You are a Part of the Experience
A homestay experience is a two-way street, and you must bring an attitude that fosters mutual exchange.
Some important things to keep in mind are courtesy, respect, and doing your part as a guest in someone’s home.
Homestay Expectations
Homestay Expectations
🛋️ Share Spaces
🛋️ Share Spaces
💁 Be a Good Guest
💁 Be a Good Guest
🪫 Conserve Energy
🪫 Conserve Energy
🚿 Hygiene
Ask your hosts when the best time of day is for you to take a brief shower/bathe.
Be considerate, leave the bathroom clean, and do not use water excessively.
🧺 Laundry
Each homestay host’s laundry routine will be unique, so be sure to discuss the laundry routine with them so you will know when the best time will be for you to use the facilities.
You should always plan to do your laundry yourself unless you have been advised alternatively.
In some cases, students may be living in a residential setting which may offer laundry facilities.
🛏️ Keep tidy
Please make your bed and keep your room neat.
👯 Visitors
Ask your homestay host’s permission before inviting your friends over—even when the hosts are away.
You are the only person the hosts have agreed to house; do not ask or expect them to welcome your family or friends.
Introduce visitors to your hosts and please leave the door open if you take a guest into your room.
🔑 Keys
Some hosts may provide a set of keys to the residence.
You may choose to coordinate schedules and avoid taking responsibility for keys.
By coordinating your schedule with your homestay host, you can ensure that there is someone present at home when you arrive at the end of each day.
Please learn to respect the host’s practices concerning locks and the security of their home.
🧑💻 Technology
Be mindful of using the internet service and respect the host’s rules and requests.
🪟 Air Conditioning
You should not expect that air conditioning is available abroad.
Be sure to ask your homestay host about the use of air conditioners or electrical devices as electricity can be more expensive in other countries.
💡Lights
Do not leave lights on in your room or in the house.
If you are studying, use only as much light as you need to work.
One of the best parts of a homestay is the authentic food and meal experiences!
One of the best parts of a homestay is the authentic food and meal experiences!
Homestay Meals
Homestay Meals
Keep Communication Clear
Keep Communication Clear
In all cases, communication is crucial.
Even if you think you clearly understood the agreement you reached with your host, it’s a good idea to repeat it to be sure.
For instance, if you tell your homestay host you will be home for dinner, you must be home for dinner; your host will be expecting you and will prepare to feed you.
Similarly, if you announced you do not intend to be home for a meal, you must respect that agreement too.
Last-minute changes are inconsiderate and will not be well-received.
Food Etiquette
Food Etiquette
Never take anything out of the refrigerator that you did not purchase and/or put there unless instructed otherwise.
If you cannot wait until the next mealtime, you can go to a nearby café to buy a snack.
Ask if you may keep your purchased snacks in your host's refrigerator or cupboards.
Do not keep or consume food in your bedroom.
Please remember that your homestay hosts are not reimbursed for any additional meals.
We ask you to refrain from eating extra meals with your host unless you are invited to do so.
If you are invited for an additional meal, it would be thoughtful to offer flowers or a contribution to the meal to show your appreciation.
Meal Etiquette
Meal Etiquette
Try to eat everything on your plate. Do not ask for what is not served.
You are unlikely to be offered American foods for breakfast. Keep in mind this is one of the cultural differences you came to experience!
Do not ask your hosts to purchase expensive items they themselves do not consume.
Try to adjust by eating what your hosts eat and when they eat.
If you try and cannot adjust and are unable to express it successfully to your host, please talk to the Faculty Director.
Your hosts may be too polite to say anything if you eat more than the pre-arranged number of meals as specified in the Program’s Budget Sheet.
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