Hosts, want to make the most of you and your student's homestay experience? Here are a few tips for hosting an international student that will help you be prepared to welcome your student by equipping them with tools that will help them survive a new and unfamiliar environment, and that will bring a hosting experience filled with memories that you will never forget.
1.
Local Map Materials: Your student is about to be immersed in a totally new environment; new country, new school, new home, etc. To help your student navigate this new world, go the extra mile by providing them with little tools they can use to get oriented - a map of your town or city, a map of their new campus, a bus route schedule and map if they are taking public transit, etc. All of these things can make a world of difference for your student in helping them get oriented to their new environment. Ask your homestay provider,
Mark's Homestay, for help providing these materials if need be.
2.
Show Them How: Even simple things like calling out of country or riding the bus can be different in other countries. Help your student get oriented to the way we do these simple things by showing them how to do it - go with them their first time or two to purchase a bus card or purchase a couple for them to start out with. Take them to get a calling card that they can use to call home with. Help them set up a bank account if they need one. These are all simple things you can help your student do that will make a great difference for them, because these tasks would likely cause some difficulty and confusion when they venture out to do it on their own.
3.
Take Them Grocery Shopping: Taking your student grocery shopping with you a couple of times will help them become familiar with typical American foods, where to find foods they will want to buy, and where to find those little necessities they might need. It will also help you learn about what kinds of foods your student doesn't eat so that you can avoid cooking them for the student's meals. While we want students to be immersed in American culture and foods, there may be some foods your student doesn't eat for religious or doesn't like. Often students will feel that they cannot ask for what they want. Sometimes this is because it is rude to ask this of a guest in their culture. Let your student know that they can talk to you, and that you want to hear from about what they might need.
Click here to learn more about how you can live with an American host family during your studies in the U.S.!
4.
Be Aware Of Your Student's Culture: Much of the things we do and say are culturally specific. It is important to try to be aware of how certain things you do and say might translate culturally to your student. Take a little time to research your student's culture and it's customs. Again, students are here to experience all of American culture, but being aware of things that might hurt your relationship with your student, and then having conversations about these cultural differences with your student, is an important step in cultivating a harmonious and rich relationship with them.
Some things that might be off-putting to an international student:
Be aware of
body language: Gestures can mean different things in different cultures; for instance even simple signs such as a "thumbs up" can be seen as an offensive gesture. Some cultures, including some Asian cultures, try to avoid eye contact as a sign of respect - this can be easily misinterpreted by an American, since eye contact during communication is seen as respectful in the Western world. While we want to teach students what these gestures mean here in our country, it is helpful to be aware of these to avoid unintentionally conveying a negative message.
Be aware of
physical proximity and gender rolls: Also in some cultures, including some Middle Eastern cultures, male/female hugging or other physical contact is considered inappropriate and might make a female student feel uncomfortable. It is good to be aware of that as well. Also, in many cultures male students are used to a female family member or maid taking care of them, cleaning up after them and doing their laundry. It is good to have a conversation with your student about what chores they will need to perform while in your home; such as keeping their own room clean, cleaning their dishes and washing their laundry.
5.
Help Your Student Experience Your Culture and Traditions: Whether that is inviting them to take part in your family's traditions, or taking your student to nearby landmarks and entertainment centers; everything you can expose your student to is a cultural learning experience for them. This will also give your student another chance to apply the English skills they are learning in a new setting.
The most important thing to remember is that your international student is in a new and unfamiliar environment, and being suddenly immersed in a culture you know little about can be a scary thing. Think about things from your student's prospective, and you will be sure to have a rewarding and harmonious relationship with your student!
Click here to learn more about how you can host an international student!
