America is infamous, and has always been a place where people strive to go! Families can provide students with the opportunity to discover a whole new country and culture by being a host family. If you are not sure why it’s such a great thing to do, here are reasons to host an International student why it is!
1. Brings the rest of the world closer.
The world is a big place, and we have more opportunities to discover it every day. However not everyone can travel, so allowing a student to come and live with you allows you to experience another part fo the world from the comfort of your own home.
2. New culture and understanding for your family
Another reason to host an international student allows you to learn all about a new culture, which not only opens your mind but that of your whole family. It is a great way to see how people live in other parts of the world, and cements the idea of how different yet similar we all are! This is very important considering how multicultural the world has become.
3. Make lifelong friends
Meeting new people is always fun and having someone live with you for an extended period of time really encourages you to build relationships, ones that can last for years! Of course there is also the added bonus that your new friends live in another country that you can visit!
4. Broaden your (and your student’s) horizons!
Not only does it give you and your family more life experience, you are also helping a young person discover a new part of the world, and the culture there! It’s an extremely fulfilling thing to do and has the power to change someone’s life.
5. Try new things
While you are sharing your culture with your student, it’s also an opportunity for them to introduce new things from their culture. These can be things like food, music or activities to do together. Nothing forms bonds like trying a new recipe together or discovering a new musician!
6. Do more activities
Naturally sometimes you fall into a routine where you don’t do many activities at the weekend or during the summer! Having an international student changes all that since you will feel more enthusiastic and eager to share your favourite family activities with them.
7. Re-discover your city
It’s normal that when you live somewhere you forget what your city has to offer. Having a new person who you can show around, means you get to experience pride and love for your city as well as see it from the eyes of someone who has never seen it before.
8. Improve your communication skills
Not only will you have the opportunity to practice communicating with a new person and getting used to a new way of communication since you have to account for the student potentially not understanding local expressions and phrases, but you will also have the opportunity to pick up some new words in another language.
9. Change to your normal routine
It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same things every day! An host student international is the perfect opportunity to shake up that routine and inject some excitement into your daily life. This is something that absolutely everyone could benefit from!
10. FUN!
The last reasons to host an international student and being a host family is not only educational and fulfilling but also a lot of fun! You will laugh a lot with the student and have time to come out of your shell and have a unique, dynamic summer since no two international students are the same. So, what are you waiting for?
If you enjoyed reading this then make sure you check back for a new entry every week or check out some of our previous posts! Don’t forget to contact us if you have any questions or you’d like to sign up for fun, educational classes with our experienced and native teachers!
