When moving to study abroad, you’ll want accommodation that suits your needs, preferences and personality. With several options available, it’s important to evaluate each to see how it would align with your lifestyle. A popular option for new international students is a homestay. We’re here to help explain what a homestay is, answer some common questions, and help you evaluate whether this accommodation option is for you.
What is a homestay?
A homestay is a student accommodation option where you stay in the home of a host family. You will get a room, meals and use of the house facilities while you live there. A homestay can help provide you with structure and support as you get used to living abroad.
Homestay accommodation is not designed as a permanent or lengthy option. Most homestay options are between a few months to a year. A homestay is often recommended if you’re a first-time international student, especially at the undergraduate level. You can access homestay accommodation via your university and recommended professional companies.
What are the advantages of living off campus?
You may think the only way to integrate into university life abroad is to live in a university residence hall or on campus. However, there are advantages to living off-campus in a homestay environment, especially as you get used to a new country. Some of the benefits of off-campus homestay living include:
- A family environment with support. A home away from home.
- Help in becoming familiar with the culture, community and city
- A great way to transition to living abroad in your first year
- Lower cost than on-campus accommodation
- Helps improve English language skills
Discover more about the differences between on-campus and homestay accommodation.
What are the common rules of a homestay?
A homestay involves staying in a family home or apartment. This means that respect is critical. You will need to follow the guidelines and rules set by the host family. Usually, these are not overly strict but may include rules about:
- Curfews or informing your hosts if you will be late home
- Meal times and associated chores
- Use of facilities and equipment
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Having friends over
- Keeping your room and the house clean
- Laundry
- Transport
Rules and approaches will vary between homestay hosts. A good idea is to speak with prospective hosts about their expectations and rules. Some hosts may have the information written down alongside a profile of what they offer, which can be sent to you. Most importantly, you must ensure that the homestay hosts are a good fit for you.
Conflict or disagreements may arise. This is normal when adjusting to a new environment and culture. The good news is that these can be quickly resolved through good communication and compromise. Hosts are often experienced in having international students stay with them, so are skilled in solving problems. You can also get help from your homestay company or university when any issues arise.
Explore more about how to resolve disagreements.
How are homestay hosts selected?
It’s important to know that the people you could potentially stay with are verified, legitimate and professional. You can be confident that a significant amount of work is done by both universities and homestay companies to ensure high standards. The following procedures are generally followed before anyone is added to a homestay host register:
- A host's home is visited and inspected to ensure it meets the required standards. This includes being safe, clean and having the necessary amenities.
- A background and security check is done on all adults in the home.
- Interviews are conducted with all prospective hosts, covering everything from occupation to lifestyle.
- Regular communication and checks are conducted. If student complaints are received these are thoroughly investigated.
Always check that your potential host is correctly registered with a company or endorsed by your prospective university. It's best to use a company or institution rather than using personal advertisements or listings.
Learn more about the extra costs of studying abroad.
Are there different types of homestays?
There are different types of homestays. You may have a picture of simply staying in a house, but homestays can offer more. Much will depend on your preferences and budget. One more expensive option is choosing a homestay in a luxury building located closer to your university. This will often come with a private bathroom and additional facilities.
Another option is apartment living in central city locations, which may offer facilities like an e-suite bathroom and additional furnishing. This may be called a premium option by a homestay company. A standard homestay is usually a single bedroom in an apartment or house with shared facilities. You’ll be in a good neighbourhood with access to public transport and other amenities.
Some homestay companies also offer ‘transition’ accommodation, which helps you move from a traditional homestay to independent off-campus living in a residence building run by the company. This can be a good option in your second or third year, as it offers familiarity with a bit more freedom. Rooms usually include a bed, refrigerator, sink, mirror, closet, desk and chair. There’ll also be a shared laundry, kitchen, lounge area, computer stations and Wi-Fi.
Want to feel prepared for studying abroad? Use our ultimate study abroad checklist.
How to decide if a homestay is for you?
Selecting your ideal accommodation type is a personal choice. When considering a homestay there are some important questions to ask yourself before making a decision:
- Are you looking for extra support and structure when starting your study journey?
- Do you want help transitioning to a new community and culture?
- Are you comfortable with semi-independent living that has some rules?
- Do you mind sharing a space with others?
- What is your budget for accommodation?
- Do you want an opportunity to constantly improve your English language skills?
There is no one type of student for whom a homestay is the perfect choice, much has to do with what you want. However, you need to be curious, open and flexible if you decide on homestay accommodation.
Hopefully, you feel more informed about homestay accommodation and can make an informed decision. You can do further research by exploring the costs of studying abroad, how to choose student accommodation and packing tips for international students.
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