Tips for Hosting an Exchange Student

I've been an exchange student two different times - once in Chile for 4 months and another time in Mexico for 5 weeks. From the perspective of a Student, I've written some tips that I feel are very important and should help you and your Student have a successful experience living together.

Explain your family's schedule - What time is dinner to be expected in your household? What can he or she eat for breakfast? What time do you get off of work? What day is laundry day? What does your family like to do in its free time? All these are questions that will flow through your Student's mind as soon as he or she arrives. As soon as I arrived, my host mother started explaining to me the family's daily schedule; she brought me the schedule neatly typed out and we went over it together. It made my transition into her household so much easier because I knew what to expect.

Lay down the law - Obviously every family is different, and depending on whether your Student is in high school or college you may have a different set of rules for him or her to follow. Is there a curfew? Is Sally the cat allowed to go outside? Is alcohol allowed in your home? Is there a bedtime? As soon as your student is settled explain to him/her the rules of your home. Your Student will want to respect your family and your home - by clarifying the rules in the beginning of your venture, awkward moments and potential problems can be avoided.