Is a Homestay for you.. as the homestay family or student?

Advantages

• Opportunity to see how Americans live and to practice your English
• Airport (San Diego) pickup and drop-off can be arranged
• Includes two meals per day (breakfast foods and a prepared dinner)
• Sheets and towels provided
• Laundry facilities available
• You have a private room and caring family environment

Considerations

• American families are very diverse (with/without children, single, widowed, elderly, young, and from a variety of ethnicities)
• You must live with the rules and lifestyle set by the family
• Public transportation via bus or trolley will be required
• Bathroom will be shared
• Most families have pets (dogs and/or cats) in the house

WHO SHOULD NOT USE A HOMESTAY.

While college students who participate in homestays are treated as adults by their hosts, this housing option does require that they interact with members of their host family and participate in the activities and duties that go along with being a member of a family. Therefore if you are a person who wants to have the freedom to come and go as you like, eat your meals when it is most convenient for you and not have to partake in shared activities such as helping to clean dishes after a meal or assisting in keeping common areas in the house clean and organized by cleaning after yourself, you likely will want to consider a living arrangement other than a homestay.

OVERALL Guidelines

1. Host Family: Please remember that each host family is different. Student understands that families are diverse with different cultural backgrounds. Some families are families with or without children, single parents, single adults, and retired people. Host may host more than one International student. They are very excited to host International students. As it is very difficult finding host families, please be thankful to them for sharing their home with you.
2. House Rules: Please follow the rules of your host family. Each family will have their own rules and lifestyle. Many families will have the rules written for you. Your host family has kindly allowed you to become a part of their family, for which they deserve your appreciation and respect. What your host family requires of you may be different from what your friends' host families require of them.
3. Household Duties: Living with a host family means that you are a part of the family. It is your responsibility to share household chores with your family. Please remember to clean up after yourself (washing dishes, turning off electrical appliances) You must keep your room and shared bathroom clean and organized at all times, which includes making your own bed and washing your own clothes.
4. Meals: Your family will provide you with two meals each day. Most families have working parents who leave for work early. As a result, students are expected to make their own for breakfast . Breakfast is generally only cereal, toast and some juice or tea/coffee.  Generally dinner is a sit-down meal with the family. If you will not join the family for dinner please let you family know ahead of time. Non essential groceries (eg. Snacks, soda) are not included.
5. Energy Conservation: Most families are very conservative and care about the environment. Please be conservative by turning off lights when you leave a room, taking short showers or baths, if you are cold please wear extra sweaters and ask your family for extra blankets. In the US the washing machine and dryer is very big and therefore families usually do laundry once a week.
6. Relatives/Guests: Please do not have relatives or guest stay at your host family's house during your first three months. After three months, you must obtain permission from your host family and USA International prior to inviting anyone to stay at your host family's home. If your guest stays more than two nights there may be an additional charge paid to host family.
7. Personal Belongings: Students are responsible for their own personal belongings whether at home or at school. USA INTERNATIONAL will not be responsible for your personal belongings. Remember not to carry a lot of cash with you, and always keep your valuable belongings secure and locked. Students are encouraged to have property insurance. Host Family insurance does not cover student's property in case of loss or damage.
8. Communication: It is important to communicate with your host family. If you do not understand your host family, it is nice to tell them that you do not understand. Please communicate in writing if something is important. If you will be late coming home, please remember to let your host family know ahead of time or please call them so that they do not worry.
9. Telephone: Ask your host family about telephone rules since each family has different rules. Please do not make long distance phone calls from your host family's phone. Instead, we advise you to use a calling card, purchase a cellular phone or make collect calls only. Please do not make or have people call you late at night.
10. Internet Connection: Internet connection is not guaranteed. Some families may charge an extra fee.
11. Damages: Students are responsible for any damage to their host families' house that they cause. Please ask your host family about changing anything in your room (moving furniture, placing things on the wall and so on.)
12. Transportation: Please do not ask your host family to drive you around too often. Students must be able to take the public bus to school and other places. Please do not ask your host family to be taxi drivers for you.