Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Ye Olde Spring Activities To Do With Your Student!

Sunshine... the smell of corn dogs in the air... yellow pollen covering everything in sight!

These are the glorious (well... mostly) signs of spring!

When you and your student start to get cabin fever, the good news is that there are an endless number of options for entertainment during this favorite season of ours. Being a homestay host in Atlanta has it's perks. Here are just a few of our favorites.

1. Georgia Renaissance Festival

Fairburn, GA - 6905 Virlyn B Smith Rd

Photo attribution: garenfest.com

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Gather 'round and witness the coolest student/host activity in all the land! Take your student back in time to the medieval days with the Georgia Renaissance Festival. There will be birds of prey, costumes of olde, sword swallowers and a royal jousting tournament for all to marvel at. 

Admission: Open Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day through June 8, 2014

Tickets range in price from $8.95 to $19.95 per person. Check the website for the most current pricing and to purchase tickets online. garenfest.com/

2. Shoot the Hooch
Atlanta, GA - Locations in Roswell, Atlanta, Alpharetta, East Cobb, and Sandy Springs.

Photo attribution: shootthehooch.com

Take your student tubing, rafting, paddle boarding or kayaking on the Chattahoochee river, right in our backyard! This is a great way to cool down as the temperatures start to rise. Grab your student and head to the 'Hooch this weekend to enjoy the benefits of one of our city's best natural recreational resources. Three cheers for our green city!

Admission: visit the website for current rafting, canoeing, tubing pricing.

shootthehooch.com/

3. May-retta Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

Marietta, GA - Glover Park , 50 Park Square, Marietta, GA 30060

Photo attribution: www.marietta.com

This rocking arts and crafts festival attracts visitors from all over Metro Atlanta. The festival features exhibitors and artists showcasing handmade goods including painting, pottery, woodwork, metal, glass, fabric, soap, candles and more. And the live entertainment is always a hit!

Admission: Free!

Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 10am to 6pm
Sunday, May 4, 2014 from 11am to 5pm

http://www.marietta.com/may-retta-daze

Host Journals: Jill and Evelyn Welcome New Students With Southern Hospitality

Jill (far right) and Evelyn (bottom) pose with two of their new students.

On a Sunday in Marietta at the foot of Kennesaw Mountain, new homestay hosts Jill and Evelyn welcomed three international students to their new home away from home for the duration of their studies with English language school ELS Atlanta. The students had traveled from Brazil, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, and despite a little jet lag, they were happy to finally start getting to know the people they would spend the next several months with. And in true Southern fashion, the host pair had prepared a food-filled welcoming to make their new friends feel right at home.

Jill and Evelyn live in separate houses on several acres of land where they keep horses, tend a small orchard and enjoy other outdoor activities. Well traveled, Evelyn's home is full with brilliant decor and relics from a diverse array of cultures and eras, and Jill's welcoming abode is just as charming with elegant and comfortable spaces that make you want to stay and listen to stories from her wealth of knowledge about local and US history. Jill rents homes on her property and Evelyn is a professional personal chef, originally from the Carribean. Both women knew as soon as they learned about Mark's Homestay that hosting was something they wanted to do, and they knew that it could affect everyone's lives in a very positive way.

Evelyn poses with one of her horses she keeps on the property.

Learn more about hosting an international student in your home.

In the living room the group enjoyed appetizers and talked about their home countries. Although the students were new English speakers, there was much to talk about, and their patient hosts were glad to help with grammar and pronunciation. "This is one of the biggest reasons I chose homestay," said one of the students. "I know my English will improve a lot faster living with them."

One student, Shoma, was especially excited about the outdoor court on the property where he could play basketball, his favorite sport. And Cleia, a young woman from Brazil, was thrilled that she would be able to enjoy more outdoor activities. They were all excited to be able to experience American culture, and that Jill and Evelyn would be planning several trips and cultural outings to take them on during their stay.

                                     

Jill's cozy covered porch makes a relaxing space for studying or afternoon tea!

Learn more about how you can experience American culture, learn English and make new friends!

After appetizers, dinner was served. A buffet style meal with delicious chicken and broccoli - classic southern food. Jill explained that it is a tradition in the south that people serve themselves, buffet style. Jill and Evelyn invited each person sitting around the table to say a blessing from their own religion or culture. Then during dinner everyone shared about their own customs from home - foods they eat, cultural traditions, some that differed and some that were very similar. The Saudi Arabian student explained that in his culture, pets don't live inside the house, and he would have to get used to having Jill's small dog around. They all agreed that each culture's traditions were not better or worse than the other, but simply different ways of living.

Jill and Evelyn are one of many wonderful, welcoming and generous hosts in the Atlanta area who are helping to provide students with wonderful homestay experiences and positive cultural exchange, and we commend them for their hospitality and the difference that they will make in the lives of the students they welcome into their homes!

Stay tuned for our next story from Host Journals to hear more about how hosting international students brings together cultures while providing unique and positive experiences!

Don't forget to find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live updates about cultural exchange activities all around Atlanta!

Christmas Merriment With ELS Atlanta Hosts and Students

Students were surprised by a special visitor from the North Pole!

For international students at ELS-Atlanta on campus at Southern Polytechnic, Christmas came early this year. At the annual ELS Atlanta Christmas party, the holiday was in full-swing with a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas carols and gifts.

Santa hands out gifts to students on his "good" list.

There were ear-to-ear smiles and much laughter all around the room as their teacher, dressed as Santa Claus, and his elves (a few ELS staff) led them through traditional Christmas songs such as "The 12 Days of Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".

Then after food and Christmas cookies, Santa read student's names off of his "good students list" and each student who brought a gift to exchange received one. The students could not hold back the laughter and smiles at the sight of their teacher dressed as old St. Nick.

Learn more about hosting a student with Mark's Homestay

Several host parents showed up to take part in the festivities as well!

Host parent Angela Green showed up to get in on the holiday fun with her homestay students!

International students all over Atlanta are enjoying Christmas with their host families this week. Holiday traditions and stories about cultures are sure to be shared. For several of the students, Christmas was a holiday widely celebrated in their home country - but for others it was their first taste of Christmas magic.

Learn more about staying with an American host family while studying English

Although Christmas is celebrated in many other countries, each country has it's own way of celebrating and it's own holiday culture. For one former ELS student, Gustavo Machado, the holiday was similar but different at the same time.

"The holiday was very similar - people gave gifts and we sang songs and lit up a tree, but we called Santa 'San Nicolás' instead. And we wrote letters to baby Jesus instead of Santa. It's fun to see the similarities and differences of the holiday in different countries," says Machado.

How will you share holiday traditions with your homestay students this year?

Mark's Homestay On Ice: New International Students Have Some Fun On The Rink!

Mark's Homestay joined new international students on Friday for some fun on the ice at Atlantic Station's "Winter Wonderland" Ice Skating Rink! The students are studying the English language with ELS Atlanta (English Language Services) on the Southern Polytechnic University campus in Marietta. 

International students from Brazil on the ice skating rink at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia.

One homestay student from Brazil who is staying with a family in Marietta said she was really enjoying the trip to the rink. "There aren't many ice rinks back home at all. I don't get to ice skate a lot! This is really nice," she said. She really enjoys living with her homestay family and loves going hiking with her mom on Kennesaw Mountain, near where they live. "Me and my host mom go there a lot. I really love it."

Learn more about becoming a host for international students in metro Atlanta

The ELS student group. They really enjoyed the cultural experience and each other's company!

The students came from countries like Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Japan to experience American culture and improve their English language skills. Many of them are looking for American families to stay with in order to improve their English and experience American culture.

"All my room mates are from Saudi Arabia too, so we just speak Arabic only to each other all the time. I want to get into a homestay with an American family so I will practice English more," said one student.

Students from Saudi Arabia

The trip downtown was a first for many of the students. Mark's Homestay and ELS take students on excursions to let them experience the culture of the city and it also serves as a nice break from studying. The holidays are a perfect time for international students to experience some truely American traditions. 

ELS students on skates!

As we traversed Atlantic Station, we took in sights such as busy shoppers hurrying to get their Christmas shopping done, Santa Claus in a sled being pulled around by a train full of children, and an array of decorations and lights lining each street we passed. While Christmas is celebrated in many countries, here in America we are uniquely enthusiastic about the holiday, and it is a joy to rediscover this time of year with our students who are experiencing it here in the states for the first time. 

Here at Mark's Homestay, we hope that you will join us on our next cultural adventure; and that you will consider hosting an international student this holiday season!

Atlanta's Rich Cultural Neighborhoods Are a Learning Experience for Students

Atlanta has a unique culture among major cities in the US. There are countless avenues for foreign visitors to explore the distinct flavor of this southern city through it's soulful food, music and traditions. However, like other U.S. cities, the rich cultural experience that Atlanta offers is in great part because of it's many international influences.

Learn about experiencing Atlanta with Mark's Homestay

Atlanta is home to many of it's own international communities which bring the special traditions and lifestyles of those countries right to our front door. These neighborhoods, restaurants, arts centers and more are a great place to go to learn about these colorful cultures. One of Atlanta's most well known locations for these international communities is concentrated along the bustling Buford Highway.

Learn more about Atlanta's unique neighborhoods

Named "best neighborhood for diversity" by Creative Loafing Atlanta in their 2011 "Ultimate Neighborhood Guide", the Dekalb County community begins north of Midtown and continues through Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, and part of Gwinnett. Among others, the area is home to Korean, Mexican, Chinese Vietnamese, Indian/South Asian, Central American and Ethiopian communities. With more than 1,000 immigrant owned businesses in the community, Buford Highway is said to have the highest concentration of multi-ethnic owned businesses in the Southeast. And they're not just restaurants and entertainment, among the businesses are a wide array of services including law offices and physical therapy clinics.

Photo Courtesy of Creative Loafing
Buford Highway shopping center signs represent the cultural variety of the community.

Buford Highway has attracted many food-lovers and food-centered events, including the Southern Foodways Alliance's 10th annual 2-day foodie field trip where participants grazed up and down the famous highway. The event celebrated the interaction of southern and foreign cuisine. A Creative Loafing article reports that a "Deep South Dim Sum" as well as Mexican-Southern fusion dishes were among the delectable dishes.

Exchange students who make the decision to attend academic programs here in Atlanta get to enjoy the multi-cultural atmosphere of the city, inside and outside of the perimeter. To learn more about how to live with an American host family while studying in this exciting and rapidly growing city, or to apply to be a host, visit Mark's Homestay online.

Mark's Homestay takes students on The ATL Experience Tour, a 15 mile journey which hits many of Atlanta's most famous and historical destinations. This is a great way to get an introduction to the institutions and communities which make up the heart of the city. Hosts, this is a great way to introduce your students to Atlanta. Contact tours@markshomestay.com to book today!

Students - Apply today to live with a host family in Atlanta, Georgia!

A Thanksgiving Day 'Thank You' to our Homestay Hosts!

A Thanksgiving Message from Mark's Homestay.

We are thankful for all the wonderful Mark's Homestay host families that continue to share their homes with students from all over the globe! You do more than open a door to your home--you open up your hearts and lives. While you and your students enjoy your holiday feast this year, take this opportunity to share stories about cultural traditions around the table.

ELS-Atlanta students enjoying a T-Day feast on the campus of SPSU in Marietta

Although Thanksgiving is uniquely North American, did you know that several countries have their own version of the holiday. For example...

• Japan celebrates "Labor Thanksgiving Day" on November 23, a holiday that was adapted after World War II. The holiday's purpose is to commemorate labor and production, as well as to give thanks. 
• Germany, "The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival" includes large harvest dinners and parades, much like its American counterpart

In an article by Audrie Palmer, foreign exchange student from Norway Sara Haaland expresses why she is so excited to experience Thanksgiving dinner with her host family.

"It's a big part of American tradition and culture." she said. "Getting to be here and seeing the traditions is a lot of the reason I wanted to experience what I saw in the movies," Haaland said. "Allowing me to get to experience it, means a lot to me. It does."

We thank you again for hosting!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,
Mark's Homestay

Share the joy of hosting: Refer a Friend!

My first burrito in the USA!

"Ahmed just had his first burrito ever!...and I think he liked it!"

I smiled as I heard this news from my homestay host about her international student's first experience with the great "American burrito!" Apparently, burritos are not as popular in Saudi Arabia! Seems silly--but this is what the homestay cultural experience is all about! Experiencing new things and another culture.

www.markshomestay.com/host

Are those over-sized mammoth tortillas from the likes of Moes or Chipotle another great "American invention"--I doubt it--especially since the burrito is Mexican in origin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrito! However, the experience for this Saudi student was indeed an American one! (Perhaps it's also a testament to the diversity of USA culture?)

Want to open doors to new experiences like this for international college students? Host an international college student.

www.markshomestay.com

 

MLK: 50 Years and a Dream

Today is a significant day in American History: The 50 year Anniversary of the Civil Rights "March on Washington" which was commemorated by Martin Luther King, Jr in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

This powerful speech is as relevant today as it was then and continues to be a personal reminder of how far we have come, but also how far we have to go toward achieving Dr. King's Dream in both the U.S. and internationally.

Many of our international students may not realize that MLK was born here in Atlanta in 1929. He and his wife Corretta Scott King were also buried here. You can visit the MLK National Historic Site in Downtown Atlanta and explore our culture's struggle for equality and justice.