By on December 28th, 2015

4 Tips for Helping Students Transition Into Homestays

As a host family for an international student, you have a great opportunity to help your student have a really great experience and learn a lot during their stay. To do that, you may have to help them get used to living with you in the US. Here are a few of our favorite tips for making the transition as easy and pain-free as possible.

Let Them Take a Nap When They Get In

First of all, after a long flight, what do you want to do when you get home? You want to take a nap or at least have a chance to unwind and decompress. Your student is likely going to feel the same way, so don’t overload them with activities and plans as soon as they walk in the door. Instead, introduce yourself, show them around the house, and give them any information they need. Then let them know that they can take a nap or do whatever they like until it’s time for dinner.

Make a Familiar Meal for Their First Dinner

Another great thing to do to help the transition is to make a meal that your student will enjoy and that will remind them a little bit of home. You don’t have to go all out, and you might even want to order take-out if it’s something complex that you aren’t used to cooking, but it’ll definitely be a good gesture to help get them settled in.

Explain Household Guidelines and Schedules – But Don’t Overwhelm Them

After they’ve had some time to relax and they’ve gotten something to eat, you can go over a few of the more important house rules. This doesn’t mean you should give them a long list of things that they absolutely must not do. That’s going to feel overwhelming and alienating, so instead try to simplify the rules and guidelines down to the most important things and everyone’s basic schedules.

Include Them in Family Activities

Finally, because you’ll be having a young adult staying with you instead of a child, your schedules may not sync up entirely. But, whenever possible, include your student in family activities and let them know that they’re always welcome.

These four tips will help ease your student into life in the US, and they’ll help you bond and forge a lasting friendship and a lot of great memories. Sound good? To become a host family, apply with us today.