Living With a Host Family Abroad

When it is good, living abroad with a host family can be very, very good. You can make new friends, see new places and immerse yourself thoroughly in a new culture complete with local languages and slang, foods, customs, music, books and even television programmes! But when it all goes wrong, living abroad with a family can be horrid. To make sure that you're host family experience falls into the former, follow the three C's of living abroad with a host family: Communication, Cleanliness and Caring.

Communication

Clear communication is perhaps the most important ingredient to successfully living abroad with a host family. Only when everyone involved knows what is expected of them - and what to expect in return - can honest relationships develop. To avoid cross-cultural confusion after you move in, make sure to iron out certain details before you descend upon your host family, including:

• Where you will sleep and store your possessions.
• If you will eat with the family or cook your own meals.
• Where you will store any food or snacks you purchase.
• Access to laundry facilities and cooking equipment.
• Access to communication technology such as the Internet and telephone.
• Your responsibilities regarding younger children and pets.
• Chores you will be expected to complete.
• Your participation in family events (dinners, parties, etc.).
• Your participation in family outings (day trips, holidays, etc.)
• If your host family has any curfew expectations.
• How your host family feels about alcohol and tobacco use.

Cleanliness

While you are meant to feel like a part of your host family while you are living abroad, leaving your dirty laundry all over the floor will not endear you to anyone. Your mother won't be around to remind you, so be sure to up your cleanliness quotient while you are living abroad and show respect for your host family by:

• Putting all dirty laundry in a hamper or laundry bag.
• Washing laundry on a regular basis.
• Always hanging up wet towels and laundry.
• Cleaning your bathroom regularly.
• Changing your sheets weekly.
• Washing up after you prepare food and/or eat a meal or snack.
• Wiping down all kitchen surfaces you may have soiled.
• Keeping all school or work supplies neatly tucked away.
• Leaving any room as clean as you found it.
• Pitching in during a general family clean up.

Caring

Even if you have spelled out all of your rights and responsibilities, and keep your quarters as neat as a pin, living abroad with a host family will only be truly successful if you put your heart into the endeavour. Anyone can pay rent and become a tenant, but becoming a part of the family and making lasting relationships requires caring. Show that you care in small ways, such as:

• Bringing a host or hostess gift when you arrive.
• Offering to cook a traditionally British meal for the family.
• Helping to plan a day trip or family outing.
• Assisting with family scheduling and chores.
• Duplicating photos that you take of yourself and your host family.
• Selecting meaningful parting gifts when it is time for you to return home.

Living abroad with a host family should be a time for you to truly experience a new culture. With a little bit of communication, cleanliness and caring, living abroad with a host family will be an exceptional experience that you will never forget!