Home Stay

Hi,
I’m 15, female and love to travel. I live in Wales in the UK, and it’s so small and always rains and I’d love to visit new countries to experience different lifestyles and cultures.
America and Australia both look beautiful, and I’d love to see both one day (however, would have to save heaps).
What do you think about Homestays? Do you think they’re good? Dangerous? Just want more opinions please.
Thank-you:)

They are cost effective and safe. For Australia you should go through a Homestay Provider as against direct arrangements with Hosts. Homestay providers provide a financially and physically more secure arrangement. e.g. www.meridianhomestay.com

I know people are quick to jump all over one’s arse around here so please know I’m not trying to be inflammatory towards anybody. Just to ensure you I’m not, my family are ex-Soviets (they’ve not a clue how the Federation is today). I’m curious about the differences between a Western European nation, say UK, in comparison to Russia. What are some difficulties in daily life between the two (for example I’ve heard much about underdeveloped legal systems, poor banking, bribery among police in Russia)? I will be studying abroad and living with a host family which will either be Italian or Russian, and while I know being abroad is a cultural experience in which one should expect the unexpected, I would really enjoy staying among warm, smiling people which, from what I know, Russians do not have a reputation for. Italians, from my visit there, are wonderful, familial people – does anyone who stayed in Russia have anything to say about their experience there? How do they feel about foreigners speaking their language?

Russians have been known for shooting daggers with their stares. But whatever, you get over it. It’s just a cultural thing. I actually kinda like it in a way. It’s a nice change from what I’m used to. One thing for sure is that if you’re of drinking age you will be doing alot of "buhanye" over there. They like to toast everything with vodka shots no matter how minor the accomplishment is. Got a job promotion? Let’s do shots.Got a hot new girlfriend? Let’s do shots. Beat a bear in an armwrestling match? Let’s do shots.

Russians actually warm up to you after they’ve had a few in them. Sometimes it might even go a tad too far… I remember my last visit to Moscow where I was situated on a couch next this one guy named Kostya. He was explaining the route back to my hotel to me by gently caressing my leg up and down with his index finger as if "drawing" a hypothetical map. It was kind of a "WTF?" moment for me…but hey, maybe that’s just how they give directions over there.

If you’re planning on staying in Moscow then you better save up a hefty sum of dough. Stuff is expensive over there. And as far as the language thing goes I think Russians like when foreigners attempt to speak Russian. They find it "cute" or something of the sort. Being an American who spoke fluent Russian with minimal accent I was quite the novelty over there.

All in all, Russia is not for everybody but it’s definitely a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get out of your comfort zone just a little bit.

Well I was planing to study at Sheffield University anyways but I had to go for a foundation at bellerbys college. I am paying for a homestay the same amount I can afford a luxury studio at sheffield. Is something wrong with my calculations or is it really that expensive? Do you recommend going to Sheffield next, or get a university at cambridge – such as cambridge university?
what is?

try premier inn

Soon enough I will be leaving my country and studying in the US for college. This year at september, I will turn 17. So I’m kinda confuse on where should I live? Dorms? Homestays or student apartments? And why. Any personal experience will be really helpful thx a lot guys

Which school in the United States will you be attending?

Certain college and universities require the incoming freshmen live on campus in dorms. In that case, you wouldn’t have any choice but to live in a dorm.

If you are not required to live in a dorm, then you can either rent a room in a private home OR rent an apartment (either by yourself or with a group of other students).

Aside from cost considerations, you should then about the type of person you are. If you are a solitary individual, then you will not want to have any roommates. However, if you are outgoing and sociable, then you would probably feel quite comfortable with a roommate (or more than one).

All these types of considerations will determine where you decide to stay.

Well I’m considering studying abroad and at that University i’m Looking at I either have the option of doing a home-stay or just living in the dorms. And I’ll be 19 when I leave.
I currently live away from family and in a dorm so I’m used to the "freedom" and "independence" of on your own, But, I think doing a home-stay will help you get more of the country customs and help you learn the language faster and better, and help you become more comfortable speaking and exploring/traveling the country and just being there in general. However what I think the bad thing is living with a family you have to follow their rules and such and you never know what type of family you could end up with and being new to country I want to experience as much( including the nightlife) as I could just like anyone else would. Then I don’t know if I’ll end up being more "family-oriented" like I’d rather get to hang around the family and do things with them since I will be a guest in their house it’s only natural to get know them and then it possibly could cause me to not get as many friends from school.
I think if I was to live in the dorm I’ll meet a lot of people my age faster because they’ll be like "Look an American! I want to use my english and get to know them". I’ll have my own freedom to do as I please (of course while following the country’s traditions and customs) and it might make the natives more comfortable to talk to me when they see me around a lot out of class and can stop by my dorm room pretty much anytime. Plus living on campus I’ll think I’ll be invited to more social events, concerts and places to go for college students/teens then if I lived with someone cause I don’t know if they’ll have a kid who’s also in college or have any kids at all so they most likely couldn’t show me the "best places to hang out" and then living with someone I’ll basically only be on campus for class.

So I’m kind of conflicted between the two can someone help?

I would strongly reccomend staying with a family simply because you really get to experience what it that culture is like. You are truly living it and therefore grasping the culture. You get the food, the routine and the interior of the home as well as being able to observe how the other members of the family act/behave. The only down side of staying with a family is if they are strange it may not be fun but usually families who take students into stay go through many checks to ensure that they are relatively normal and will be able to sufficiently look after you.

I wish you all the best in your studies abroad.

I’m going to peru with my school in a week and we are doing a homestay i would like to get my ‘foster parent’ a gift that would be considered cool and americanish… or somethng that would make them thnk of chicago…. any ideas?????

A t shirt with the american flag or a disney gift from orlando, etc.

hi
i want to ask if there is a good homestay in seoul to live in with nice familly and good price for 2 people and for 29 day(cheap one please cause we’r student

ya, lots! check out couchsurfing.com!

I’m going to california this summer and im from Massachusetts. Where can I find a homestay, besides homestayweb.com and homestayfinder.com
Most of the homestays are in LA and i need one near Placentia, California.
as weird as it may sound, preferably chinese because I will feel more comfortable.

couchsurfing.org

In a couple weeks, I will be taking a trip with my class to the Dominican Republic. We will be staying in rustic homestays, and I am looking for tips and tricks on how to deal with my naturally curly hair. There will be hardly any opportunities to shower, and showering is the key to keeping curly hair untangled, because it’s almost impossible to use a brush. Are there other ways to help keep the curls fresh? Any help would be greatly appreciated! My hair is medium length, pretty thick and it frizzes a lot.

You should definitely buy some dry shampoo.

Try:
TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo : 5.95 CVS
Salon Grafix Spray Powder Shampoo for Brunette Shades: $7.99 CVS
Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo Unscented Normal To Oily Hair: $6.49 CVS

Dry shampoo works by absorbing all the oil in your hair that makes it greasy, and it leaves it washed without having to use water

I use it when I go on camping trips and I know there won’t be showers for at least 5 days.

I have wavy unruly hair, so I definitely recommend any of those products

In a couple weeks, I will be taking a trip with my class to the Dominican Republic. We will be staying in rustic homestays, and I am looking for tips and tricks on how to deal with my naturally curly hair. There will be hardly any opportunities to shower, and showering is the key to keeping curly hair untangled, because it’s almost impossible to use a brush. Are there other ways to help keep the curls fresh? Any help would be greatly appreciated! My hair is medium length, pretty thick and it frizzes a lot.

You should definitely buy some dry shampoo.

Try:
TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo : 5.95 CVS
Salon Grafix Spray Powder Shampoo for Brunette Shades: $7.99 CVS
Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo Unscented Normal To Oily Hair: $6.49 CVS

Dry shampoo works by absorbing all the oil in your hair that makes it greasy, and it leaves it washed without having to use water

I use it when I go on camping trips and I know there won’t be showers for at least 5 days.

I have wavy unruly hair, so I definitely recommend any of those products