Homestay → Resources for International Students

In-depth tips and guidelines for international students staying in a homestay during their time abroad.

31 articles
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Written by Mallory Graber

Packing for Your Journey Abroad→ The Complete Guide

What can students bring? What should students ship? Here are some preparation tips to help you navigate the packing process.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Transportation → Explained

Is transportation included? Find in-depth answers to our most common questions about homestay transportation here.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Homestay Pricing: The Complete Guide

How much does homestay cost at SRS? Here are some factors to consider when building your customized homestay package.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Spending Time With Your Host → FAQs

Will my host be home all the time? Can I travel on my own? Find answers to commonly asked questions about spending time with your host.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

How to Sign Up for Homestay

Need a host family in the USA? Here's a breakdown of the entire homestay sign-up process for international students.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Student Age Requirements

How old do I have to be to sign up? Is there an age limit? All students, no matter what age, can sign up for homestay with SRS.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Types of Host Families

What does "host family" mean exactly? Our host family network includes a wide variety of people and family structures.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Is Homestay only for International Students?

The short answer is no. Read the long answer here!
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Host Family Vetting Process

How are our hosts selected? We make sure each host family is carefully vetted before they host a student.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Length of Homestay

How long is a homestay? Learn more about homestay timelines here.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Preparing for Your Arrival

You're all signed up for homestay with SRS, now what? Here are some helpful tips and videos to prepare you for your arrival.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Arrival: Getting Settled in Your New Home

Here are a few things that you and your host family may do to help you get settled into your home abroad.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Coping with Culture Shock

Culture shock can be discouraging, but remember that you are not alone. Here are some tips for coping with culture shock.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Cultural Adjustments → Daily Schedules

Schedules (and their importance) vary from culture to culture. Here are some tips for navigating your new schedule during your homestay.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Cultural Adjustments → Communication

Communicating with your host family is important, but it's not always easy. Here are some tips and guidelines to navigate communication.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

House Rules & Chores

Here's some information about house rules and chores to help you maintain a peaceful environment during your homestay.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Safety Guidelines

Here are some general safety guidelines for international students to help you stay safe during your time abroad.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Homestay Pets 🐾

Gaining a new pet for your time abroad can enhance your experience in a good way! Here are some things to know about homestay pets.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Meals → What to Expect

Food can make a huge positive impact on your homestay experience! Here are some tips to make sure you and your host are on the same page.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Etiquette: Your Room

Here are some tips to get settled in your new room while being respectful of your host family and your new home.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Etiquette: Shared Bathroom

Sharing a bathroom with your host-sibling? Don't worry! These tips can help you maintain proper bathroom etiquette during your time abroad.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Wifi and Internet

Your homestay package will always include internet access. Here are the details of homestay WiFi.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Your Personal Finances

Here are some basic tips and guidelines on how to responsibly handle your finances abroad.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Illness and Medical Emergencies

Your wellness is our top priority. Here is a complete breakdown of what to do if you get sick or have a medical emergency in the USA.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Homestay: Laundry

Here are a few tips for navigating laundry with your host family during your time abroad.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Homestay Accidents / Damages

In the unfortunate (and unlikely) event that you break something in your host family's house, don't worry! Here's how to handle it.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Dating Abroad → Safety

Dating abroad can be fun, but it's important to stay safe. Here are some behaviors to be aware of when it comes to navigating relationships.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Bullying → What it Is & What to Do

While most people you meet will be kind, bullying can be a problem in any country. Here's how to spot bullying and what to do about it.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Schedules and Curfew

Communication is key when it comes to managing schedules and curfew with your host family during your homestay.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Homestay Transfers

Our goal is to make every homestay experience a successful one. Here's the breakdown of what happens if you do need to transfer homes.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago

Preparing for Departure

Check out these tips for pre-departure planning, homestay extensions, storage during summer break, keeping in touch and more.
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Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago