Students: Travel With Mark's Homestay & Experience Unique Cultural & Language Learning Opportunities!

Click here to register for Mark's Homestay's upcoming trip to Tennessee!

Living in an American host family home can improve a student's English language skills, orient them to American culture, and offer them a welcoming home away from home in a sometimes intimidating new environment. But did you know that Mark's Homestay offers many additional cultural education opportunities for students to take part in, including cultural learning experiences and creative ways to develop their applied English language skills?

Students on the BeltLine in Atlanta, GA with Mark's Homestay

Mark's Homestay's goal is to bring the best of American culture to students with trips that will connect them to unique cultural experiences that help them to learn and grow. More than just the tourist spots, our trips take students to places where you can observe authentic American culture, meet new friends, and see unforgettable parts of the U.S. Students also have many opportunities to utilize their English language skills in real world settings and develop their conversational abilities while having fun with other students. 

Students, don't miss out on the opportunity to get out and explore with us! Click here to register today and you could win an all expenses paid spot on our upcoming weekend Tennessee Tour! [see video at the top of this article! :-) ]

5 Basic Practical and Cultural Tips For Hosting An International Student

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!

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 Note from a Host Mom: Why Host?

My blog is about sharing the benefits of cultural exchange through the homestay experience. This morning, I received an email from one of my Atlanta homestay hosts explaining why she hosts. A former student who stayed with her several years ago wrote the following to her out of the blue:

Hi Mrs. Taylor, I really hope you are good. I don't know if you remember me, but I always remember you.(emphasis mine). I'm the venezuelan girl how stayed in your house in 2010. Now I'm 23 years old and I finished college this year.

Actually I would like to know how are you? How Michael and Xavier are? I would really like to see u again. Blessings for you and your beautiful guys.

Kisses and Hugs
Alejandra
------

To be remembered is an amazing feeling! Over three years have past since she hosted this student, but her student emails her saying, "but I will always remember you." Being a homestay host is an amazing cultural experience where life-long bonds and friendships are formed. I know from experience. I keep in contact with my Nicaraguan host family and have nothing but fond memories of my homestay.

We need hosts like this for our international college students. Learn more about being a homestay host and have an experience like one of our host Moms! 

www.markshomestay.com/host

Sincerely,
Mark Leech
Owner, MarksHomestay.com

Is Hosting an International College Student for You?

In a previous blog, I explored the benefits of hosting an international college student via a homestay; however, in this blog, I would like to discuss whether or not hosting is for you. Perhaps you are interested in hosting an international college student, but you are unsure it is for you.  How do you know hosting is for you?

5 Key Factors to Consider:

1). Accommodation: Do you have the basic necessities to host a student? A homestay arrangement requires you have the following: private furnished room, including bed, study area (inside room or in house), dresser or closet, private or shared bath, internet access (Wifi)

2) Location: Are you located in close proximity to a language school, college, or university? In Atlanta, transportation is crucial for our international students. We are looking for host at least 35 minutes or less to their desired location. 

3) Interest in Cultural Exchange? Are you genuinely interested in learning about other cultures? At it's core, homestay is about cultural exchange. We offer host compensation to our guests, but if this is your only motivating reason you may not be ready to host.

4) Flexibility: Welcoming a guest from another culture, you will become keenly aware of your "American habits" or perhaps personal ones; you will need to be flexible when you encounter international students with different cultural habits and be open to change! This is the fun part about hosting.

5) Safety: You will need to pass a national criminal background check.

 On my website, I explore several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about hosting: Below, I address some of those in relation to our topic--is hosting for you?

Who can Host? Our host "families" reflect America's rich diversity. Host families can be singles, married couples, families with our without children, retirees, different races and nationalities.

How long? 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years--there are many ways to host a student. Homestay duration depends on your preferene and availability as well as on the student's program or purpose of visit . Many of our student guests request at least a semester (4-6 months) to one-year homestay. However, we do have shorter programs ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months. Regardless, hosts can choose their homestay duration based on their preference and availability. Of course, the more available you are for long-term hosting (6 months-1 year), the more likely MH can place a student with you due to the strong student demand for longer stays. You can give it a trail run and see if its for you or not!

Who are the students? The majority of Mark’s Homestay (MH) guests are college students studying English at local language schools, colleges, or universities. Students choose homestay to improve their language skills and experience American culture. However, some of our guests already speak English fluently and simply want to live with an American family in a nice community while others use our service to secure safe, short-term housing during their program.

How old are homestay participants? Currently, Mark’s Homestay (MH) is only taking applications for international college students or visitors over the age of 18 on student or tourist/business visas. MH verifies the identity, age, and immigration status of each guest by reviewing his or her passport and immigration documents upon arrival.

Learn more about hosting online: www.markshomestay.com/host
If you are on the fence, contact me. I can provide you references for our hosts and answer any more questions about hosting.

Who is Mark? Mark Leech, owner, is an international educator with five plus years of experience advising international students at several universities. He has traveled extensively, participated in homestays worldwide, and started his company in 2012 to provide students with quality homestays and unique opportunities to experience American culture.