International students often are looking for a family environment that is safe and where they can feel comfortable studying and staying during their education in your area. A family with other children is often a good fit for homestay students, and that is usually where they stay, with a family or a mature couple with extra space.
Depending on the age and what type of schooling or business the homestay student is taking, they may wish to stay for several months, or in some cases for several years.
As a potential homestay host, there are several things you should consider before committing to have a student living in your home. At times, the cost of hosting a student may be more than the host had considered, as there are unseen costs that can arise during the homestay.
Considering Potential Problems
Be sure that you have a good line of communication. Because of the likely language barrier, this could be one of the biggest challenges you could be facing. Do not speak to them as you would a native language speaker, keep it simple and easy to understand by avoiding bigger words. Often during the first week it is a good idea to communicate via written words as most ESL students are proficient at writing and reading but often find it difficult to string a sentence verbally.
Hosts and students should have some protection from understood guidelines set out in this situation. The host should discuss with the homestay student some basic house rules while interviewing them and their legal guardian if necessary, so that everyone understands the guidelines. If there is a language barrier then you need to have someone explain the rules to them for you both.
Consequenses for breaking the rules should also be set in place. Is there zero tolerance for some behaviors such as coming home on drugs? If these are communicated to both the homestay and also their legal guardian and/or parent then, in the event they are broken, you are afforded more leverage to remove them from your residence.
Is Privacy a Major Concern?
There is a trade-off when it comes to the amount of privacy you can have, and host a student. The student may want to practice their English skills with you, and you need to be prepared for this. Some of the activities you may have to compromise on are TV programs, family parties, having friends and dates coming over to your place. To make these situations go more smoothly, you could invite the student to participate.
If you were planning on going on vacation or just getting out of town for the weekend you may have a bit of a dilemma. A lot of the time, the deal is that your family prepares meals for the homestay, and that means you are supposed to be there at dinnertime. Taking the homestay on your vacation could be an option, but there could be other solutions.
There are other factors to consider as well. The time you spend conversing with, and cooking and cleaning for the student could cut into the time you have for your own family and children. You can counter this by including your children in your interactions with your homestay.
Depending on the age and what type of schooling or business the homestay student is taking, they may wish to stay for several months, or in some cases for several years.
As a potential homestay host, there are several things you should consider before committing to have a student living in your home. At times, the cost of hosting a student may be more than the host had considered, as there are unseen costs that can arise during the homestay.
Considering Potential Problems
Be sure that you have a good line of communication. Because of the likely language barrier, this could be one of the biggest challenges you could be facing. Do not speak to them as you would a native language speaker, keep it simple and easy to understand by avoiding bigger words. Often during the first week it is a good idea to communicate via written words as most ESL students are proficient at writing and reading but often find it difficult to string a sentence verbally.
Hosts and students should have some protection from understood guidelines set out in this situation. The host should discuss with the homestay student some basic house rules while interviewing them and their legal guardian if necessary, so that everyone understands the guidelines. If there is a language barrier then you need to have someone explain the rules to them for you both.
Consequenses for breaking the rules should also be set in place. Is there zero tolerance for some behaviors such as coming home on drugs? If these are communicated to both the homestay and also their legal guardian and/or parent then, in the event they are broken, you are afforded more leverage to remove them from your residence.
Is Privacy a Major Concern?
There is a trade-off when it comes to the amount of privacy you can have, and host a student. The student may want to practice their English skills with you, and you need to be prepared for this. Some of the activities you may have to compromise on are TV programs, family parties, having friends and dates coming over to your place. To make these situations go more smoothly, you could invite the student to participate.
If you were planning on going on vacation or just getting out of town for the weekend you may have a bit of a dilemma. A lot of the time, the deal is that your family prepares meals for the homestay, and that means you are supposed to be there at dinnertime. Taking the homestay on your vacation could be an option, but there could be other solutions.
There are other factors to consider as well. The time you spend conversing with, and cooking and cleaning for the student could cut into the time you have for your own family and children. You can counter this by including your children in your interactions with your homestay.
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