Believe it or not, most students say that the Family Stay is the best part of their program! Right now you may be a little nervous about living with a family you don’t know and about being in a different culture. We want you to know that the apprehension you feel is perfectly normal

All of the families who agree to host an ISE student are volunteers (Europe) or receive a minimal stipend to defray expenses (Latin America) Your host family is interested in getting to know you. It is their expectation that you desire to get to know them as well! It truly takes both sides to build a successful experience. To help you to do your part, we offer the following practical suggestions and urge you to observe them.

Remember that it is normal to feel uncomfortable during the first couple days of the family stay.

Adjustment occurs gradually and toward the end of their stay, most students wish they could stay longer. If you need to contact your group leader during the family stay, first make sure you have given yourself time to make this adjustment. If you feel threatened or endangered by something, call your leader right away.

Express common courtesies whenever you can

“Good morning,” “Good evening,” “Please” and “Thank you” will go a long way in making them feel good about you. Greet your family every morning and always add please and thank you to requests. Wish them a good night before bedtime.

Always maintain a positive attitude

Try new foods, initiate conversation and participate in family activities. Smile! Don’t spend your time in your room away from others; try your best to communicate with your family members. Not eating or isolating yourself may cause your family to think you are unhappy or ill.

Adapt yourself to their schedule and ways of doing things

Don’t expect them to adapt to you! Part of the learning experience of the family stay is becoming acquainted with the differences in other cultures. A good example is different meal times and foods.

Offer to pay your own entrance fees

For Example: public transportation, restaurant meals, and movies.

If your host family or host brother/sister takes you places. Your host family has invited you to their home to partake in the family’s daily activities including family meals. They have been instructed to follow their regular routine so that you may learn what life is really like in the country you are visiting. They are not expected to be your tour guide.

Please conserve water and energy

Since water and electricity are very costly in Europe and Latin America, limit yourself to one short shower each day and turn off lights and appliances you’re not using. Such energy-saving actions are much more common abroad than in the U.S.

Please make your bed each morning and keep your room tidy

Do not leave your clothes or other items on the floor or scattered about the house.

Always ask permission to use the stereo, TV, radio, computer, telephone, etc.

If you need to call the U.S., only do so collect or with your own calling card to avoid high charges to the host family.

Get dressed before breakfast.

No robes or pajamas at the table. Do not go barefoot in the home!

Become a member of the family

Offer to help with chores such as setting the table, cooking, shopping, etc. Do not expect to be entertained, waited on or driven around. In short, don’t behave like a spoiled guest!

Focus on getting to know your host family

Do not call your American friends or make plans to meet them; you only have a short time to spend with your host family.

Honor the ISE Code of Conduct during the family stay

If anyone should offer you cigarettes or alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine, simply say “No thank you.” The Code of Conduct applies to YOU, not to the host family members or others you meet during the family stay.

Take a scrapbook or photo album

These are great tools to “break the ice” at the start of your family stay and provide basic information to your host family about you and your life in the U.S..

Hand out gifts within the first few hours of meeting the family

The small gift(s) you have brought for the host family should be wrapped and presented with thanks. This is an excellent way to get started, showing your appreciation and explaining the gift.

Send your host family a thank-you note upon completion of the program

This is vitally important! A holiday greeting card is also a nice gesture. This type of follow-up on your part will mean a great deal to the host family.

Always remember this:

The success of your family stay depends as much on YOU as on your hosts. Do your part and you will have a successful family stay!