What to expect when you stay with a host family

Host family accommodation is by far, the most popular accommodation option we offer. It provides a great way to meet local people and practice your language skills outside of the classroom.

Meeting new people and learning more about the day to day life and culture of the country you are living in is fascinating. A full immersion programme with language lessons and host family accommodation is the most effective way to learn a language.

We understand that the thought of living with new people and adapting to another family’s daily routine can be daunting. It is not without challenges, but we need challenges in order to improve!

The following are a few tips for getting the most out of your host family experience. We hope reading these will help you settle as quickly as possible:

1.    Host families vary between location and language school. You could stay with a single person, a retired couple or a family who have their own children. Try not to worry too much about the type of family you will stay with. Each host family has been carefully selected by the school’s accommodation officer. We all want to be able to guarantee a warm and friendly welcome on arrival.

2.    Don’t be shy to introduce yourself to your host family. Conversation is a really important part of the language learning process and you should make an effort to speak with your family every day. Your host family understands that you are there to learn a language and will not expect you to converse fluently with them, but will really appreciate your efforts. If you stay in your room, your family may not disturb you as they understand that you wish to be alone.

3.    Your host family may do things differently to the way you are used to at home. It is quite normal for students to feel a little homesick at first and living with new people can be challenging. Each family will have their own routine, so if there is anything you are unsure about, just ask!

4.    Meals – see below for further information on breakfast, lunch and dinner with your host family!

5.    Please let us know at the time of booking if there are any pet or food allergies that your host family should be aware of. It is important that we are advised about special requests as soon as possible. This will ensure the school can arrange suitable accommodation for you.

6.    Unless you have specifically booked self-catering accommodation, it is not usually possible to have use of the kitchen in your accommodation. You need to be aware of this if not booking full-board accommodation as eating out every day will get expensive!

7.    If you would like to bring friends home to your accommodation, you should ask for the permission from your hosts first. Overnight guests are not permitted.

8.    Your bedroom is your own space and will not be shared by members of your host family, although your host family may enter your room for cleaning.  It is your responsibility to keep your room tidy and to make your bed each day. You should try to keep all your personal belongings in your bedroom. When you leave your room, please ensure that you switch off any lights.

9.    Most students receive a key to their accommodation and will be able to let themselves in and out of the home. Please make sure that you lock the door when you leave! Take care not to lose your key as you may be asked to pay for the locks to be changed.

10.    Please speak to your host family about arrangements for doing laundry. Some families will provide access to laundry facilities, or allow you to do your own laundry, but it is possible you will be asked to use a launderette.

11.    Bathroom facilities are usually shared with your host family, unless a private bathroom has been booked and paid for. Please be considerate of others using the bathroom space. Try not to spend longer than 15 minutes in the bathroom at any one time. Make sure the bathroom is clean and tidy when you leave it. If you are not sure how the shower or other facilities work, don’t be embarrassed to ask your host family, they will be happy to show you. You should bring your own toiletries as your host family is not expected to provide these for you.

12.    You are not expected to do any household chores during your stay, although it is polite to offer to help clear the table after dinner and assist with the washing up.

13.    Although not compulsory, your host family may invite you to participate in family activities during your stay. If you are invited to join a family activity, do check about prices in advance to avoid awkward situations.

14.    Please ask your host family about public transport links close to your accommodation. An obvious question would be to ask for the best way to travel to your school each day.

15.    Most families do not allow students to make outgoing calls from the house phone. Please ask your host family before making any calls.

16.    Your host family is not expected to provide a maid service for you. Be polite! Saying please and thank you to your host family will always be appreciated.

17.    Please be respectful of your hosts at all times. You should not be drunk whilst in their home. Drugs are absolutely prohibited. If you plan stay out late, please forewarn your host family and make sure you are quiet when returning.

18.    If you need something or unsure about anything, do ask your host family. It is important that you communicate as much as possible with your hosts so they know how you are feeling. In an unfamiliar setting small things can feel like a big issue, however, most problems will easily be resolved!

19.    In the unusual event that you are not happy with your host family for any reason make sure you tell Apple Languages and the language school as soon as possible. We are unable to help you with any issues you may have once you return home!

20.   Feel free to contact your host as soon as we send out your complete travel details. It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself and inform them of an approximate arrival time.

Extra information regarding meals:

Breakfast with your host family

Breakfast is usually a light meal consisting of cereal and/or toast and a drink (tea, coffee or fruit juice). Mornings are often a busy time, so your host family may not be able to spend too long chatting to you over breakfast. If your hosts are at work during the day, it is possible that you will need to prepare your own breakfast, although you should always be provided with food for this.

Host family in Santo Domingo

Lunch with your host family

If you are booking full-board accommodation your host family will provide lunch for you. This is often provided as a packed lunch that you can take with you. Some families will prepare lunch for you at home. In Spain lunch is often the main meal of the day and students booking half-board may receive breakfast and lunch with their host family.

Dinner with your host family

In most other countries dinner is the main meal of the day. Your host family should make an effort to eat dinner with you. Dinner with a host normally consists of a main meal and dessert, at least two courses. Don’t be afraid to ask about meal times and do try to make sure that you are home for dinner when possible. Mealtimes are the perfect time to practice speaking the language with your hosts! If you know that you won’t be home for dinner, try to let your host family know in advance. Missed meals with your host will not be compensated for.