What Is A Homestay?

What Is A Homestay?
A homestay is a exciting way to learn about a country, a culture and a way of life. A homestay means staying with a host family, for a short or extended period, while you're traveling in North America or abroad. You'll live in the host family's home and you'll participate in the family's daily life.

Why Choose a Homestay?
Imagine you're headed for an area where the culture, mores, food and language are completely unfamiliar to you. You could choose a cheap hostel, but you may find yourself completely afield in trying to get to know the place. Staying in a local family's home means you'll adjust to the local lifestyle quickly, you'll be immersed in the culture the moment you step into your hosts' home. You'll be listening to the language around you, you'll be helping to prepare unfamiliar cuisine and you'll quickly get the inside scoop on where to go and what to do (and what not to do). Choosing a homestay means a commitment to immersion in the culture through communication with your hosts.

How Much?
If you're planning to study abroad and choosing a homestay lodging option, start with your college counselor. Your school may very well have reciprocal arrangements with universities.

What's Expected of me?
Your host family has chosen to make homestay offers for a variety of reasons; mainly, they want to know about you and your culture and introduce you to their country. Talk, talk, talk! Be polite, help with household chores, keep your bedroom tidy, don't venture out without telling your hosts where you'll be going and when you can be expected back, in general, be the perfect guest. And expect to enjoy a great adventure!

Who Are Homestay Hosts?

Who Are Homestay Hosts?
Homestay Hosts come from all walks of life.
Homestay Hosts do not have to be a traditional nuclear family. Every Host family is different, just as every Host situation is different.
Singles, couples, one- or two-parent families with young or teenage children, couples with no children, extended families with live-in relatives, people with or without pets, many different races, nationalities and religions, employed and retired people, all may be looking to meet new people and supplement their income find Homestay to be the perfect solution to utilize an empty room in their homes.
Homestay Hosts have the extra room and feel that their family will benefit from the cross-culture exchange experience.
Every Host family is unique. Some Hosts offer a more relaxed home style while others are more formal. There is one thing that Host families have in common: they love to meet new and interesting people and welcome them into their homes.
Often, parents of young children find Hosting an ideal way to bring in extra income while staying home with the family. Retired people find being a Host is a great way to use an empty house after their children are grown and gone. Singles offer to share their accommodations to help out with their living expenses.
Whatever their reasons for Hosting, it can be a rewarding experience for both Host families and student!

Who Are Homestay Guests?
Students, interns and visiting professionals are just a few of the International Guests who prefer Homestay as their means of accommodation when traveling overseas. Homestay is one of the big selling points in the language industry with the emphasis on “Home.”
Not all Homestay Guests are students, but they are a very big part of this ever-growing group of cultural visitors. Other types of Guests include women’s alumni groups, various professional groups, tourist groups looking to live and explore locally, even people who want to work in a foreign country during their travels. These are only some examples of this growing trend of International Guests who wish to live the experience of a different lifestyle in the comforts of a family home.
Overseas Guests often experience a greater exposure to the language and to the culture in a Homestay environment. They would not get the same exposure if they were to live in an apartment or in a campus residence. Homestay is their chance to develop the language and learn the way of life at a faster pace from this cross-cultural experience. Living in a Homestay environment familiarizes the students with the local area and culture, and helps them improve their language skills by full immersion.
Homestay Guests range in age from 15 years 75 years. Every Student comes with great curiosity, anticipation and enthusiasm to learn all about their Host country’s culture and lifestyle.
Students can search free for Homestay accommodations at http://www.homestaycentral.com/