Top 10 Reasons to Choose a Homestay
For international students, an American homestay is a great choice for many reasons!
-
English Practice! Most importantly, living with an American family requires you to practice your English outside of the classroom. A homestay provides a complete immersion into English and the American culture. The students that live in homestays see a lot of improvement in their conversation and listening skills.
-
Personal Attention! A homestay will provide you with the personal attention you will need to make adjustments while living in the USA. Many host families have traveled a lot and understand what it is like to live in another country and speak another language. Homestay families also value the exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
-
Learn about American culture and traditions! A homestay is a great way to meet Americans and learn about American culture and traditions. Living with a host family will give you the opportunity to really experience American culture. Students who live with American families learn first hand about American holidays, traditions, foods, movies and music.
-
Trips and Outings! Many families take students to the movies, shopping malls, sporting events, zoos, museums and nearby attractions.
-
Fewer obligations! There are fewer financial obligations in a homestay. Most homestay families do not require deposits or credit reports. For international students who only plan on studying in the USA for a short time, a homestay does not require a six to 12-month commitment.
-
Less money required! Heat, water and other utilities are included in a homestay. Most apartments and some dorms charge extra for heat, water and telephone access.
-
Safety and Space! A homestay will provide you with a safe and comfortable place to live with a lot more room and space than other options such as dormitories or apartments.
-
Internet Access and Cable TV! Many homestay families also provide Internet access and Cable TV.
-
Meals! The homestay family will provide you with meals and access to laundry.
-
Furniture! Living in a homestay also includes furnishings such as a bed, a desk and a lamp. Some families even provide rooms with televisions, telephones and a private bathroom. Many apartments come unfurnished with no furniture.
Christine VanDerwill, the Homestay Coordinator at the University of Denver's English Language Center, contributed the top 10 reasons for choosing a homestay over an apartment or the dormitories. Christine has studied and lived abroad in Germany and Costa Rica. In both countries she chose to live with a homestay family and highly recommends the experience.