|
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.
|
|
publication
