At StudentRoomStay, we want to ensure our host families and international students get the most out of their time together while using our homestay services. Here are five tips for a great student exchange experience that will make the homestay better for both host families and students:
1. Make Your Foreign Exchange Student Feel Welcome
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When you welcome a family member home after a long absence, there is often hugging, special meals, and celebration. But welcoming a foreign exchange student — someone who is a complete stranger — can feel different.
When you decide to open your home through StudentRoomStay, you may not know how to make your student feel comfortable at first.
Interested in Hosting?
Fill out the form and we’ll send more information. If you’re ready to host, you can officially apply here:
https://amp.studentroomstay.com/host
Foreign exchange students may be anxious or homesick. As a host family, it’s your job to help guide them so they have a fulfilling experience.
A good place to start is by preparing a comfortable personal space for your student. A quiet, clean, and private bedroom helps them adjust more easily. Even if your own kids could share a room with the student, don’t count on this — most students feel more comfortable having their own space at the beginning.
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You may also want to provide an affordable way for them to contact their families back home. This doesn’t require a long-distance phone plan — just a wireless router so they can use FaceTime, Skype, or other video apps on their own devices.
When becoming a host family with StudentRoomStay, learning about your student’s culture beforehand is extremely helpful. You can:
- Prepare foods from their home country
- Learn a few phrases in their native language
- Introduce them to activities where they can meet friends
Your effort will go a long way in helping students feel comfortable and welcome.
2. Prepare a Welcoming Bedroom for Your Foreign Exchange Student
If a student will be living with you for a semester or longer, you’ll want to make sure their space feels inviting and comfortable.
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Here are a few steps to prepare their bedroom properly:
Do a Deep Clean
Before becoming a host family, your home will undergo a screening process. Clean the student’s room thoroughly — shampoo carpets, clean window treatments, wipe down walls, and reset the room with basic furnishings like:
- A bed
- A dresser
- A desk
Splash on New Paint
Most host families don’t know whether their student will be male or female. Choose a neutral wall color to provide a blank, calming backdrop.
Coordinate Linens
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Invest in comfortable bedding. Matching sheets, a comforter, and pillows make the room feel homey. A neutral palette is safest.
Add a Few Accessories
Students want a space that feels lived-in, not empty. Add simple accessories like:
- A lamp
- Artwork
- A rug
- A mirror
- A pinboard for their photos
This helps the room feel warm and welcoming without being overwhelming.
3. Help Them Celebrate Their Holidays and Traditions
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Many countries celebrate holidays differently — from religious events to cultural festivals. When you become a host family, it’s helpful to research the holidays your student may observe.
You might not know your student’s nationality or religion right away, but early research helps you prepare. Learn:
- What holidays their country celebrates
- The food associated with those holidays
- Cultural traditions or decorations
- Common activities
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Most students aren’t looking for a host family that shares their exact beliefs; they just appreciate the effort. Helping them celebrate a familiar holiday can ease homesickness and strengthen your bond.
4. Help Them Avoid Culture Shock
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Studying abroad and living with a host family is exciting, but students are likely to experience culture shock.
Here are ways to help them adjust:
Read Up on Their Culture
Before arriving, students often research American customs — social norms, dining etiquette, local laws, and language.
You can support them by:
- Being patient when mistakes occur
- Offering guidance kindly
- Explaining confusing customs
- Encouraging them to ask questions
Friendship also helps them adjust. If your family has kids around their age, this makes a natural connection — but students should also try to make friends at school.
5. Learn to Avoid Miscommunication With Your Foreign Exchange Student
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Hosting a foreign exchange student is rewarding, but miscommunication is common, especially with language or cultural barriers.
Here’s how to minimize misunderstandings:
Host Family Selection Preferences
You can request students who speak your language, but most students already speak some English and want full immersion.
Learning a few phrases in their language also helps them feel supported.
Solutions to Miscommunications
Even when everyone speaks English, confusion can happen. Encourage students to:
- Ask questions
- Clarify unfamiliar phrases
- Laugh off misunderstandings
- Avoid taking offense quickly
Be patient and discuss cultural differences openly. Respect goes a long way.
StudentRoomStay Concierge provides 24/7 support, local coordinators, and mediation if communication issues arise. You’re never on your own.
Summary
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The best host families show:
- Hospitality
- Patience
- Commitment
- Flexibility
- Openness to new cultures
- Willingness to communicate
No host family is perfect. Challenges will happen, but your care and effort will make a lasting positive impact on the student’s life.
StudentRoomStay is grateful for all our host families. If you or someone you know is interested in hosting or wants to learn more about earning income as a host family, contact us or apply online today.
