Donna decided to take one of our Intensive Spanish courses over 4 weeks and needed somewhere to stay. She opted for a Homestay.
We asked her to tell us how she had found the experience:
Donna: “I felt if I was coming all the way to Spain to learn Spanish, I needed to make the most of the time I was here and practise as much as I possibly could. The Homestay option seemed ideal, I liked the idea of living with a host family and gaining the opportunity to learn more about Spanish customs and daily life.
Us: So, having spent 4 weeks living in a Spanish home, what were your impressions of this type of accommodation and do you have any advice to give?
Donna: I would tell prospective students never to forget that you live in another person´s home. You must allow for that. Host families are normal people living their everyday lives and are subject to the same stresses and strains as the rest of us. They may come home tired or may have had a bad day – that´s only normal. Try to put yourself in their shoes – how would you be feeling? Also, every family, of whatever country has their own norms and habits. They may be alien to you but whatever your opinion you must do the family the courtesy of respecting them. Try to think that the rules of the house are neither better or worse, just different.
Us: how did you manage with your Spanish?
Donna: I have a more or less pre-intermediate level of Spanish which, I think, was perhaps a bit of a drawback to this type of experience. Sometimes, despite the best efforts of my host, I found some things difficult to understand and missed information which may have been important and useful in terms of my stay. I know a lot got lost in translation. I found it frustrating that I couldn´t ask for things or explain a problem I had using polite and respectful language as I would have done at home. If my host changed the TV channel from one I was watching, I didn´t have the language to politely ask if I we could switch back because I found it interesting.
Us: What are the positives of this type of accommodation?
Donna: When I was on holiday, using a foreign language seems unreal. Here in Valladolid, and living with a local person, I had to speak Spanish “for real”, to be understood and to survive. I must admit that when I was thinking about coming to Spain, an immersion experience in another language seem scary but now I´m here it seems perfectly normal and natural.
Want more information about General Intensive Spanish courses with homestay in either Valladolid or Santander with International House? Find out more on our website www.espaname.es
“We are not a traditional family in the sense of mother, father and children, we are a family of two brothers” said Cesár whilst handing me a large slice of bichocho and a sliver of jamón. I had arrived at lunchtime just as the two brothers, Cesár and Marcos, two Italian students and Harry, a student on one of our IH General Intensive Spanish courses, were sitting down to eat together. 
I asked the brothers how they managed with students who had absolutely no Spanish when they arrived. “We find a way” said Marcos “with hand signals, demonstrations and whatever bits of language we have in common. We can´t speak Chinese or Korean but we communicate”
If you choose to stay with a host family you also have some responsibilities. 
We never want our students to be unhappy and do accept that sometimes things don´t work out for whatever reason. If both parties find it difficult to accommodate to each other then don´t worry, we will do our best to find a new family for you as soon as we can. We will allow two changes of family without extra charge but will have to charge a fee for a third change.
Who chooses to become a host family?
The student is provided with a clean, comfortable room with sheets and towels. If they have chosen full or half board options, the family will prepare the meals requested and arrange to eat at least one meal a day together with students. They will accommodate any special dietary restrictions but we encourage students to adapt to the local cuisine and try local dishes.
Homestay is a form of accommodation that enables the student to rent a room from a local family with the extra option of half board (two meals – breakfast and lunch) or full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 
Many people feel international travel does not always lead to greater understanding of a country and its people. As a tourist, your experiences and encounters can be brief and superficial whereas by living with a host family you can deepen your understanding and appreciation of another culture whilst improving your language ability.
Once you´ve made your commitment to a Spanish language course the next big decision to make is how you will live whilst abroad. We receive lots of emails about the pros and cons of Homestay experiences so the next few blog entries will focus on this popular topic. 
