By on April 18th, 2016
Earn Extra Income by Hosting a University of California Irvine International Student
University of California Irvine, or UCI, is one of the top choices for international students from around the world. This award-winning university has developed some of the best international studies programs available, and because of its location, so near to Los Angeles and many other popular Californian destinations, it’s a hotspot for international students who want the most cutting edge education they can get.
Many of these UCI students choose to stay in housing accommodations that allow them to live with an American family. This helps them learn English faster, become accustomed to American culture, and to have a safe and familial environment to retreat to when homesickness or culture shock become too much to handle.
Although classes start in the fall, UCI does have a transfer program that helps international students move from their education at home to a degree program here. This means that you may find an international student looking for a host in the spring after transferring.
Become a Host
If you live in Irvine, you are uniquely situated to help make an international student’s dreams a reality. We can help you connect with the right international guest to bring into your home for a stay. You’ll need to provide a private bedroom, meals, and a family atmosphere that includes regular communication and interaction. You don’t need to be any specific type of family. As long as you are excited about being a great host, and can provide the basics, we’ll be there to walk you through the rest.
Why Host an International Student
The benefits of hosting a UCI student are many. The most obvious being, you’ll get a chance to meet someone from a culture you may have never come into contact with. It’s a great way to open your world view and explore new perspectives. You also get the chance to make some great friendships that can last a lifetime. Universal Student Housing provides an extra income for host families as well.
Being around the best beaches and other sites in California means that you already have a great familiarity with tourists and a diverse population. This means you’re one of the best possible hosts for an international student. You’ll be able to help them navigate the most common cultural mishaps that you’ve already seen or experienced in your daily life.
Daily Life
Your daily life as a host family doesn’t have to change much. You can still work, have your hobbies, attend local events, and even travel. The only difference is that you have an additional family member, whose needs and schedule will have to be taken into consideration for plans.
Many host families find that taking day trips or quick weekend jaunts, to show their guest some of the amazing sights and events around Irvine, is a great experience for everyone. They’ll probably visit the beach more than once with friends or UCI’s activities team, but as a resident, you’ll know about all those special hidden places that tourists don’t often see. Through your eyes and expertise, an international student gets the chance to see America as a local.
At the end of the day, the real benefit of hosting an international student from UCI is knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life. Their educational and career goals couldn’t happen without you. To find out more about the requirements, or to apply to become a host with Universal Student Housing, check out the links on our website. If you have questions, you can always fill out the quick application form, and then address them with the team member who calls you within 24 hours. There are all kinds of exciting opportunities waiting.