I’m going abroad to Germany for a year and I’m staying with a host family. What kind of things do host families appreciate? I want to make a good impression but I’m not sure how.
I’m going abroad to Germany for a year and I’m staying with a host family. What kind of things do host families appreciate? I want to make a good impression but I’m not sure how.
The very first thing is honesty on your application! Host families pick our students on the applications you fill out and the letter you write! If you have lied, or tried to make yourself someone you are not, you’re off to a bad start already! This is HUGE!
The second thing is to find out what your host parents want to be called. WIll it be the German “mom” and “dad”? Their first names? Ask in advance. When you get there, even it if is awkward for a while, you need to call them SOMETHING!
A thoughtful hostess gift is VERY important, especially to Germany. It does not have to be expensive, but it should be obvious that you thought about it. You should have something for the family as a whole — but kids always appreciate something special. A picture book from your part of the country is always great. If there are kids, an American monopoly game is fun too.
When you get off the plane, or when you meet your host family for the first time, do NOT expect big hugs like you would here in the U.S. You will probably be greeted with a handshake — this is perfectly normal — don’t be put off! You may get a hug, but don’t count on it and if the hand is offered, shake back! Don’t worry, hugs will eventually come!
When we get our kids, their first rule is “mom is not the maid.” Bear that in mind and don’t expect your host family to pick up after you! They will come to resent that VERY soon! Offer to help around the house if you are not assigned chores. Cook an American meal. Take the dog for a walk. While your family wants you there (or they wouldn’t have volunteered) remember, you ARE extra work!
Make sure you ask about, and understand, daily routine. The faster you fit in and become a family member the better your stay will be!
Don’t expect your family to speak English for you unless it’s absolutely necessary! You are there to learn German. Depending upon your level, for each hour you communicate in English, you’ll be setting your German back 3 days!
Now to the computer, phones, chatting back home, etc. DON’T! The more you are chatting and communicating back here, the more your heart and mind are NOT in Germany. Your family and friends need to understand this BEFORE you leave! A once a week phone call home is probably too much! Once a month is better!
Be friendly. Share your culture with them! One reason people host is to learn about other countries. Be aware however, that Americans are not particularly popular in Germany right now. Many Germans are very much against the war in Iraq and dislike the president. As an exchange student, you can show that, no matter what your political views are, a citizen is not always the same as our government. Let them learn about YOU! Take plenty of pictures of your home, family, friends, school and town with you. A CD of pictures works well — often you can pop it into a DVD player and put it right on the TV!
Now that I’ve rambled on a lot, my last piece of advice is to check out this website:http://www.exchangestudentworld.com/
It was written by exchange students about their experiences!
Viel Gluck!
Just be yourself & relax. We always have spanish exchange students for the summer and its much easier if they treat the house like their home. It means that the rest of the family are not on edge about leaving you on your own sometimes.
1. Be clean and tidy in all the facilities that you can use, especially with your bedroom.
2. Be polite with all the members of the family and any friend of them that perhaps they would introduce you.
3. If you’re not gonna be on time or not at all for one meal call them to let them know at least 1 hour before.
4. Use the shower for a short period of time (15 to 20 min.) Everybody has different average to use it but in some bad cases I’ve heard some exchange students use the shower for 1 hour… so the rest of the family either had to wait, either there was not enough hot water.
5. Maintain clean the dishes you use, and if you need to use another facilities ask first.
6. Try to buy a phone card, in order to make all the calls you need (as generally all of them are gonna be international is cheaper)
7. Ask the home stay family (main member) what is expected for you to do (home tasks: some ask for you to take care your bedroom, to clean once the bathroom, it depends) music volume, hours that you can came back (before midnight, I don’t know).
As well, who can help you more accurate is the company that organize the “host family” sometimes they can tell you more information about them.
Have fun!
Respecfulness, helping around the house, just show them that you appreciate all they’re doing for you.
Of course you should be polite and respectful, but to make the most out of your exchange and the family’s experience, try to make their home your home. That means making an effort to participate in family activities, keeping your room clean and helping out around the house. They will also really appreciate you if you make an effort to speak German as much as you can, and really immerse yourself in the culture. Because you’re going to Germany, you could very well end up in a family that speaks better English than you speak German, but if that happens, let them know at the beginning of the exchange that you are there to learn German, and you really would really like the family to help you do that.
You can always make a good first impression on the family by bringing a gift from home. A coffeetable book about your city or region where you’re from can be a good gift, as can some sort of culinary specialty. (ie., if you’re from Wisconsin, bring some cheese, from Vermont, bring some maple syrup, from Seattle, bring some smoked salmon.)
What program are you going on your exchange with? I was an exchange student in Ecuador for a year with Rotary Exchange — best experience of my life, no question. Good luck! You’ll have a great time. Feel free to send me an e-mail if you have questions about exchange.
Wow wie immer ein super Text. Wenn doch nur alle Texte so angenehm zu lesen wären. Gruß Susann Frishman
hai this is meer Ahmad from pakistan and i am student of Mass Communication and Media in Universaty of Gujrat.i have completed my 2nd smester but along with study i want to start my carrier and i really wish to go on T.V. i am belonging from a middle class family… Give some tips to start my carrier…. i knw i have confidence and ability to do these kinds of act on screen like road shows.table talk shows news casting etc.. with the blessing of God my speeking strenth and my vecablary is better then my age fellows and class fellows….. i am waitting..!!!!