The first days will be for our students the opportunity to meet with their host family in person. Prior contacts over the summer are advisable: you will feel much more familiar with the family members and it will be easier for them as well. Maybe you will feel that you already know them when you meet at the airport or the train station!
Your host family is not a professional host family: they may have hosted before, but it is probably their first time as well. Be careful about false expectations! Expect the unexpected and be open to differences! Get some tips for us to make your first days in your host family abroad sucessful.
Your Host Family Abroad
Your host family is different from yours, due to
- cultural differences,
- other opinions,
- history,
- living standards,
- habits,
- traditions, etc.
You should expect to have to adapt to your host family. Sometimes things are very easy and it is “love at first sight” :-), sometimes it may take some more effort and time on all sides to make it work. This is a normal process and both you and your host family can count on Nacel's support for this transition period.
Welcoming you is a choice and a joy for your host family but they may also have high expectations on their side about this experience. Both you and your host family have to work together to learn how to live as a family during your stay with them.
They may be very enthusiastic to present you to their neighbors, friends, family, etc. and you may feel overwhelmed. If you need some more time, tell them.
Food Issues
Food may be very different to what you are used to, so may the meal organization/time and meal content. Meal time can be very important in some cultures, for example in France. Try to taste as much as possible, be open, and do your best to adapt your diet to local meals.
You may not like everything and this may be understood by your host family. Food is an important part of the culture so always show your willingness to try and adapt. You may also from time to time offer to cook something from your home country to your host family!
Meals are a great opportunity for you to explore a culture as sometimes family stories, cultural information or even regional traditions are linked to the meal you are tasting. You may also in return share with your host family about your own family dishes and meal traditions of your country. This will help you to learn more vocabulary and develop cultural awareness. An enriching experience for everyone!
Homesick? Do not give up!
The first days and weeks will be a challenge and you will be out of your comfort zone, trying to understand how things work, trying to adapt, trying to improve your language skills, trying to make new friends, etc. You may feel homesick and this would be a normal feeling.
Reduce this feeling by:
- being proactive,
- meeting new people,
- participating in outings and events with your family,
- spending time with them to discuss your day, etc.
An exchange program abroad is all about meeting new people: a new family, new friends, a new community. The more people you interact with the more interesting opportunities you will have, in terms of activities, support or discussions.
At school, you may find friends very easily but in some cases, it may be rather up to you to take “the first step”: while this may happen for sure, do not take for granted that your classmates will do it. They may not be used to interact with a foreign student, so they may not know how to engage in a conversation with you and be impressed. Introduce yourself, ask practical questions, and be interested in their conversations to integrate into a group. Lori, the mother of a Japanese student who did a Homestay Immersion with School integration explains as follow: "My son (age 15) was placed with an absolutely fantastic family through Nacel. We could not have hoped for a more fulfilling homestay and high school immersion experience in France. Not only did his family take him to historical sites, museums, concerts, sporting events, and on hikes, they coached him on his pronunciation nightly and incorporated him into their extended family network. His host sister and brother helped him adjust to high school where he made friends and participated actively in classes despite having arrived with only basic knowledge of French. His language skills improved rapidly thanks to their warm welcome and efforts to teach him. This experience has truly changed his life and his future!"
It may take more time to befriend local teens than in your home country: the social relationships are different here. Do not give up!
5 more useful tips for a sucessful host family experience
1. Show respect for your host families and act as a member of the family.
2. Voluntarily help with household chores, this will be much appreciated!
3. Do not talk about the family’s private affairs with others please.
4. On special occasions (birthdays, etc.) spend this time with your host family, this is very important to forge a solid relationship.
5. Avoid borrowing money from your host family and be ready to cover the expenses that may occur during activities such as going to the restaurant, going to the cinema or theater, going to an entertainment park, etc. even if they are organized by your host family.
More resources to get prepared for your Homestay Immersion Abroad
- 10 Tips on Making Your Student Homestay Awesome For Everyone
- 17 Recommendations to Get Along With Your Host Family Abroad!
Your host family abroad may remain a second family for you for your whole life! Karina, the mother of a student who spent a school year in France, describes her experience as follow: "Our kid spent a year abroad, became fluent in French, and was enriched with a great experience. It helped our daughter to renounce after the pandemic year and boosted her international career aspirations. Cultural immersion cannot be better with a great match with a hosting family. Our kids are friends now, and we hope it lasts many years."