Types of Host Families and Homestay

You have chosen one of the most unique
housing options that the U.S. can offer!

The US has a lot of diversity to offer and therefore, students may expect to stay with different types of families. As a homestay student you must to be open to living with people from diverse backgrounds and from different cultures. Our American families consist of: couples with children, single parents with children, single women, single men (this option is not available for single female students), retired hosts, people of European/African/Asian/ South American descent. All of our families provide students with an experience of what American culture is like and are English speaking families where English is the primary language spoken in the home.

The type of home varies from host to host. While some hosts live in homes, others live in apartments. For the most part, students will share the bathroom with the host family. Private bathroom is based on availability and is not guaranteed. If a private bathroom is available per your request this is subject to an extra fee.

Families are anywhere from walking/biking distance to a bus ride to the school campus. Homestay is based on availability and being open with your preferences (ex: ok living with pets, sharing bathroom, etc..) may allow our staff to find the closest homestay available at the time you apply.

Homestay Options

USH gladly offers three different types of homestay services so that students will have more options to fit their individual needs. Each homestay option offers social time, cultural exchange, and opportunity to conversate with the host family.

These options are:

• Room with Meals (also known as full board)
  This option is for students who would like meals included in their housing. Students who select this option must be open to different types of foods that the host may prepare. This option includes two meals a day: a continental breakfast (ex. juices, cereal, toast, bagels, donuts, coffee, etc.) which you will be responsible for fixing for yourself as the host will have the food available in the home; and a cooked dinner in the evening (a hot meal such as pot roast, spaghetti and meatballs, turkey and gravy, etc). Hosts may not cook every day so you may expect to have other types of meals 1-2 days a week (ex: sandwiches, take-out pizza, etc..).

• Room and Breakfast (also known as bed and breakfast)
  This options is recommended for students who can prepare their own dinner or eat outside of the home. A continental breakfast in the morning will be provided each day (ex. juices, cereal, toast, bagels, donuts, coffee, etc.). You will be responsible for fixing the breakfast for yourself as the host will have the food available in the home. You are responsible for your own dinner with this option.

• Room Only
  This option is for students who choose to cook their own meals. We also recommend this option for students who have diet restrictions (ex: vegetarian, religious, etc..). You will be responsible for your own meals if you choose this option. Your host will have cabinet and refrigerator space available for you to store any food you may need to store.