Homestay Guidelines for Students

 

When staying with a host family, you will become a welcomed guest in their home. Here are some of the guidelines to help you make your homestay experience an enjoyable one:
 

1. Always ask questions if you are not sure about something! It may take a few days to get know each other.

2. If you want to bring a friend home, please ask your homestay family in advance.

3. Let your host family know what time you will be home. Host families can get worried about your safety.

4. If you plan to eat out, please call your host family and let them know that you will eat out.

5. Find out when you can receive calls and for how long you can keep the phone busy. If you make long distance calls from the host family's home, you must use a calling card or make collect calls.

6. Bathroom – If you are sharing a bathroom with other members of the family, please find out when is the best time to have a shower and for how long. You need to get your own bathroom supplies such as towels, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, etc…

7. Cleanliness – You are responsible for keeping your room clean. You are expected to remove your plate and utensils from the table after meals. However, you are not required to do home chores such as baby sitting, gardening, and house cleaning.

8.Don't forget to turn off the lights! Turn off the TV or radio when you are not using them or when you leave a room.

9. Dial 911 in emergency situations or if you or someone in trouble to reach an ambulance or the police.

10. You must have medical, travel, or emergency healthcare insurance that covers any medical expenses that may happen during your stay. Make sure to show proof of insurance and emergency contact details to your host family upon arrival. Insurance can also be purchased through your school or the homestay agency coordinator. If you are not a student, please contact your travel agent or insurance broker in your country or in your destination city upon arrival. Neither the host family nor the Homestay Agency can take responsibility for your medical or emergency medical expenses.

11. If you accompany your host family on holidays, outings, or trips, you must pay for travel arrangements, admission tickets and personal expenses.