Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
Tips for Building a Good Relationship Between Host Family and Students
1. Tips for Building a Good
Relationship Between Host
Family and Students
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
2. International students who travel to study English abroad
in the US appreciate the cross-cultural experience.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
3. Value
As guests, most students make the effort not to inconvenience their
host family, so they feel comfortable in their own home.
Many travelers coming from European and Eastern countries bring
with them the sense of respect and value of family that is engrained
in their countries’ old world traditions.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
4. Initial welcome
In fact, some of the first phrases that guests and hosts in a homestay
for international students learn from one another are “Thank You”
and “You’re Welcome.”
> Often students refer to their host as their ‘homestay parents’.
> It brings a sense of security, belonging and family that students
need when living so far away from home.
> As a host, make sure all your questions get answered.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
5. Tips for selecting an international homestay company:
> Learn about the expertise, reputation and longevity of an
organization through website research.
> Be cautious of companies offering pay that far exceeds the norm
for your area; it may indicate a newer, less experienced, and
understaffed establishment.
> Expect a home visit from the company, which shows their concern
to assure proper matches, accommodations and responses to
hosts’ questions.
> Find companies with extensive staff to support you as a host in case
any concerns arise..
> Consider working with more than one company to assure your
student bedroom will be occupied during your desired periods.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
6. Study schedule
After the initial welcome, the student’s college or university study
schedule usually integrates itself easily into daily life.
> Typically, the homestay for international students does not impose
major changes in the family’s routine to accommodate the student.
> In fact, the US ‘host-parents’ often find themselves surprised at
how independent even the younger international students can be.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
7. Study schedule
(Cont.)
Even though in a foreign country, they figure out and regularly
use public transportation (a habit more frequented overseas than in
the US), they make friends of their own age and from other countries
quickly, and they come here with a purpose to study or learn English.
So, they remain highly motivated and disciplined.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
8. Emotional support
On occasion, students need emotional support. Our experience tells
us that a successful homestay occurs when the student and host
develop a bond and when the student and host feels welcomed and
comfortable.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
9. Emotional support (Cont.)
Most visitors engaged in homestay for international students like to
turn to the host for some things they don’t understand, which may
include a certain bus route, unfamiliar food items, or travel
destinations that the host family recommends. The family structure
brings a sense of security to the student who comes to explore
new horizons.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
10. USH Support
If, for some rare reason, a relationship may not run smoothly, USH is
readily available to answer both students’ and hosts’ questions from
the moment we offer a student to a host and throughout the
homestay.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
11. Cross-cultural experience
Of course, both parties who participate in homestay programs enjoy
the cultural exchange that occurs over meals and in conversation.
This is the reason that draws interested hosts and internationals
together for a homestay for international students —to enjoy and
learn from each other’s company, in the most comfortable of
settings.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com
12. AT USH, our overall goal is to help hosts and students form
long-time and lasting friendships.
Universal Student Housing – Become a Host Family
www.ushhost.com