We are thinking about offering our spare room to foreign students (the universities have a special program to arrange this) on a short term basis to earn some extra money to help pay the bills. I was wondering if anyone out there has done this and if so what was your experience? Good or bad?
2006-08-14 02:03:58 · 7 answers · asked by sparkleythings_4you 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Studying Abroad
our family used to do this a lot, some of it was good, some of it bad. if you have any requirements i.e. non smoker make sure that you tell the university from the beginning, that way you both know what to expect. it will probably be more complicated with uni students, rather than school/college age students (which we used to host for longer periods), probably because they will be out later etc but if you are hosting them for more than a few weeks they will almost become part of the family, we're still in touch with a lot of the students we had now. you might want to sit down at the beginning and go through what they expect from you, and you from them. maybe asking that they consider the time they get in if you have to work the next day or have young children, or anything else you think is important. overall it was a good experience and helped us get to know a lot of people from all over the world, but there was the odd occasion i was glad it was only for a couple of weeks. it depends on the people involved and what you make of the experience! it might be worth speaking to the university and asking for a couple of test runs before you commit to it long term, that way you know how you feel about people staying in your home, good luck!
2006-08-14 05:23:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My wife and I are in are 50's and have hosted over 20 students, mostly in their late teens and early 20s from South Korea, China, and Japan. The expereince was great for the most part, if the student wishes to particiapate. We were good homestay host families, willing to spend up to 30 minutes each day to talk and help with their English. Many families only do it for the money, unfortunately. Its a good way for you to learn of other cultures. The only bad experience was when we hosted a kid from Canada. She was the only one who gave us alot of trouble. Brock and Dalia, Vancouver, Canada.
2006-08-14 12:15:10 · answer #2 · answered by cbmaclean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can remember as a kid having different students stay with us, it was a rewarding experience for the whole family.
I can remember one guy from belgium called phillippe who used to sneak off on his moped to buy me and my brother cans of coke becuase my mum would't let us have them.
I would say go for it
2006-08-14 09:19:32 · answer #3 · answered by Dark_Mushroom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We've had several and they were hit or miss. We had a spoiled ***** of German girl that I wanted to have deported. We had some really nice Japanese kids and we also had some that raided the refrigerator at night like they were famished. Pick well.
2006-08-14 13:17:13 · answer #4 · answered by blahhhhh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes...i mean that i heard about this..i think is a good experience, cause u can meet new people...and u can make a friend for life...and usually people who are going for studiing like that are very nice people...
2006-08-14 09:10:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. When my mum and dad told me we were having a french student to stay, i envisaged a gorgeous, sassy, brunnette babe...instead we got some fat gothic chunk of a lad ! he stunk as well !
Learn from our lesson...specify you want a hot chick who doesn't smell !
2006-08-14 09:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by stdaveuk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no
2006-08-14 09:08:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋