All students are placed with host families.  The homestay offers an opportunity to develop language skills and learn about the culture.  Living with a family requires flexibility and respect, but brings great rewards.

The benefit of living with a family is that you are not alone in the new country: you have people to eat with, talk to, and learn from.  On the other hand, families vary greatly, and the placement can range from a family with grown children, a family with no children, to a divorced or widowed woman, and everything in between, so no two students will have the same experience.  Families may vary in the amount of interaction you have, but all are eager to have you in their home and to help you learn and enjoy your time there.  Whatever your situation, be respectful and considerate of your hosts, and make your best effort to get to know them and their style.  Your efforts will be rewarded by improved language skills and knowledge about the culture and the people.

Families are located in the Triana and Los Remedios sections of town, near the popular downtown area.  This requires a commute to the university of up to 45 minutes by walking and by bus.  Students are housed in this part of town, rather than near the university, because this part of town has more to offer students during their free time.

Typically, two students are housed together.  The homestay option provides you with a shared room with the other exchange student in the family’s home and three meals a day.  Students can have a lunch packed for them.

Placements are arranged based on your housing questionnaire. The housing questionnaire should be submitted with your application (See Application Procedures to download the questionnaire). Once you are matched with a host family, you will be given their name and contact information.