5 Ways To Be The Ultimate Host Family

1.     Carefully and thoroughly complete your Ojisu profile

As you are filling out your Ojisu profile, remember that every piece of information you provide allows your potential homestay guest(s) to get to know you, your family, and your home better. Usually, the more a homestay family has provided in their profile, the more inclined the student is to choose the family to become their host. Here are some tips on how to perfect your Ojisu profile:

• Spend time on your photographs: To learn more about taking the perfect pictures for your profile, reference our article .

• Upload as many photos as you can: We typically suggest that hosts have photos of their family, the rooms they will be offering to the students, their kitchen, their bathrooms, a front and back view of the house, their dining room, and their living room.

• Add personal details: While filling out your profile, you can add information about yourself including your hobbies, interests, etc. By doing this, potential guests can get to know you better.

2.     Give your guest a warm welcome

When your guests arrive in the U.S. after their long journey, the new environment can be a bit overwhelming at first. If you make your guests feel welcome in your home as soon as the arrive, this can make their transition a little bit easier. For instance, showing them your entire home, introducing them to your family, offering them snacks or beverages, or even suggesting they rest upon arrival will make them feel like they’re right at home.

3.     Integrate your guest into your normal activities

After your guests have settled in, try to welcome them into some of your normal activities so that you can bond with them. For instance, if you usually go to the grocery store or to the park on the weekends, offer that your guest come with you. After all, this type of everyday experience may show them a little bit more about the city you live in and American culture while also making them feel more connected with and a part of their host’s life.

4.     Help your guest adapt to their new environment

As previously mentioned, arriving in a new location with unfamiliar language, culture, and customs can be very difficult for your guests. Showing them around your city or town, introducing them to local public transportation so they can explore on their own, or even leaving guidebooks around can be a great way to help them feel at home in such a different place.

5.     Try to learn about your guest and his or her native culture.

In addition to helping your guests learn about a new place, their visit is also a learning opportunity for you! Preparing a meal your guests would eat in their native country, discussing cultural differences, or sharing language are all ways you can make your guests feel comfortable and at ease while also getting a lesson about another country’s customs and culture.