Homestay → Resources for International Students
In-depth tips and guidelines for international students staying in a homestay during their time abroad.
31 articles
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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!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.Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago
Length of Homestay
How long is a homestay? Learn more about homestay timelines here.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.Written by Mallory Graber. Updated over a week ago