Homestay for Host Families

You must commit to host a student for a minimum of one quarter/session. The first ten days after placement is an adjustment period for the host and the student. After the ten days, both parties need to commit to a minimum of one quarter (12 weeks) or one summer session (6 or 8 weeks). After the initial commitment period, both parties renew the agreement quarterly.

Both the host and student are required to give a 30-day notice prior to the last day of quarter in the case if one decides to not renew the agreement for the following quarter. The student must move out and vacate the homestay on or after the quarter end date and before new student arrival day for the following quarter.

Provide a clean, safe, and caring home environment with a private bedroom with bed and bedding, linens and towels, a desk and chair, study lamp, adequate storage, light and heat, a fire exit, nearby smoke alarm, and a fire extinguisher. This room must be available to the student during their entire stay and cannot be made available to out-of-town visitors or guests. Hosts are expected to provide household staples such as laundry detergent and toilet paper, but not personal toiletries.

Welcome the student to your home and spend time to orient the student to all aspects of living there.  Because this is a new experience for most students, allow extra time for your family to get to know the newly arrived student. After the initial welcome, give them a house key, explain your house rules and expectations and teach them how to use household equipment and perform simple household chores, such as helping with the dishes, vacuuming, washing their clothes, cleaning their room or cleaning up after themselves. Provide instructions on procedures in the case of injury, fire, earthquake or other emergencies.

Include the homestay student in your daily life and give the student the choice of coming with you when you run errands, go shopping, attend sporting events or movies, or participate in family holidays.

One of the reasons to select the homestay option is to increase the opportunity to improve English language skills.  If multiple languages are spoken in the home, remember to speak English so the student will not feel “left out” of conversation.

'Traditional Homestay' Option Students

Please provide a balanced variety of nutritional food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The host is expected to prepare five evening meals per week, served at a time convenient for you and the student. Food should be available for the student to prepare the remainder of their meals. Please show the homestay student how to use your appliances in your kitchen and any gadgets you normally use to cook with before you allow the student to use your kitchen to prepare other meals. You should ask the student to help you prepare the grocery list.

'Room & Kitchen' Access Option Students 

Provide access to the kitchen for food preparation, as well as refrigerator and cabinet storage space for student-purchased food.  Please show the homestay student how to use your appliances in your kitchen and any gadgets you normally use to cook with before you allow the student to use your kitchen.

Teach your student to ride the bus if applicable and help them to become familiar with the local area and commercial establishments for shopping, groceries, and personal services.

You may need to show the student how to make long distance phone calls with their cell phone. Most of students have or will have their own cell phones. Internet Wi-Fi set-up is required since the Internet is a part of our lives now and students need to use it at home for their studying, researching, and communicating with their families back home. Although students can access the Internet and computer services at the College, they usually prefer the homestay family with Wi-Fi access. Hosts may be asked to upgrade their Internet speed or router if there’s any ongoing Internet connection problem.

All homestay students are required to have medical insurance, and student questions regarding coverage should be referred to the Office of International Education at Olympic College. For emergencies, dial 911 or take them to a local emergency room. 

The college respects all religious and philosophical beliefs. While perfectly acceptable to practice your own philosophy or religion (for example, prayers at the dinner table), please do not proselytize. The student’s belief systems should be respected. You may invite your homestay guest to join the family in religious activities, but you should not expect them to participate.

International students are prohibited from providing child care for your children. Never ask a homestay student to babysit.

Hosts must agree not to have or use any illegal substance prohibited under federal law in the home while a student lives there. If alcohol is consumed in your home, it is expected that the use is moderate and that you will not offer alcohol to the student.

Homestay hosts agree to notify the Office of International Education & Study Abroad of any changes in the homestay situation, including: persistent problems with a student; plans to be out-of-town for an extended period of time; changes such as family members moving in or out; pets; divorce; career changes; when the student gives notice and plans to move out; updates on address, phone and/or email, etc.

The college reserves the right to remove a student from a host home at its discretion and may request a pro-rated refund of the homestay stipend. If a difference arises between the host and student, the college expects both to settle differences to the best of their abilities. A second recourse would be to contact the Office of International Education to intervene and act as a mediator, although it is understood that the college is under no obligation or liability to settle disputes.