Living with a host family

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“I had the incredible fortune of being paired with a family that I got along with right from the beginning, but there were definitely times that I felt a little uncomfortable about how to act and what to say or do. My general advice is this: respect your host family’s boundaries, and try to relax your own boundaries a bit. Respecting your host family’s boundaries should translate into always being polite, neat, responsive and aware of when they need space (during a family argument or while they’re working, for instance). Relaxing your own boundaries is key—though you may be used to a certain routine at home, try mixing it up to be more in tune with your host family; this way, you’ll be able to adapt more easily to the French way of life and learn about the people you’re living with for a semester. For instance, try clearing time on your weekends or before/after classes to cook a meal for your family (even if you’re not a pro, they’ll appreciate your effort), or suggest a trip to a museum together. Try to squeeze in as much time with them as you can! Anyone who has engaged in daily conversation with their host family will have had a much easier time learning the language and the Parisian rhythm of life than some one who lives alone or with other students.” – Alexa Davis, CC ‘11

“At first, I often had a hard time expressing to my host family that I was uncomfortable with a certain situation. I always thought that since I was the guest, I really shouldn’t say anything. However, I think this created more of a problem because it left me upset and frustrated about situations that could have been easily changed if I had expressed my opinion. When I finally did tell my host mother that I wasn’t okay with something, she was more than willing to adjust the situation.” -Arielle Fox, CC ‘11

What I Wish I Had Known

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What I wish I had known before going to Senegal:

  • Bring photographs of your life back home because friends and family you meet will like seeing it to gain a better understanding of who you are. I was constantly asked about my family and Alabama and I had very little to show!
  • Bring or send a meaningful gift (which does not have to be expensive) to your host family, if staying with a host family. I brought t-shirts for the family from my hometown, but other students brought framed photographs of their hometown and some brought artwork that they particularly liked.
  • It will not be difficult to make friends with people from the country that you are visiting. Even if you may have trouble with the language of your host country, a lot of young people (no matter the country) learn some English in secondary school or college and like practicing it (often while talking about American trends and politics) with their new American friend (I was nervous about this before going!)
  • For the women: expect to be hit on from men, young and old, especially because you are American. It can get annoying, but it can also be a fun way to make friends and discover the city.
  • Bring money to travel: while it will probably be far less expensive than taking a trip in the United States you should be prepared to pay for a hotel, transportation, and food for about a week (most programs give you at least a week off for either spring or winter break). It can add up. (But don’t let it deter you. Traveling in your host country can provide some of your richest experiences abroad.)
  • If staying with a host family, make sure to spend time with them. It can get difficult as you make more friends, take classes, go out- but maintaining a good connection with your host families can prevent bumps along the way. If your family has a tradition of watching ridiculously melodramatic Indian soap operas Wednesday nights (as mine did) join in, make it a habit too.

by Zawadi Baharanyi

Welcome!

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Welcome to the student-to-student study abroad guide!

This guide will provide regional information about the study abroad experience from the Columbia student perspective.   Please browse the blog to read anecdotes from students about what it was like to live in a particular region, country or city.  This blog also has links to web resources that might be particularly helpful to you both while planning your semester abroad and while enjoying your time away.  If your questions about the abroad experience aren’t answered here, please contact the Office of Global Programs, and we will help you find the information that you need.

If you have studied abroad in the past and have stories and anecdotes that you think would be helpful for other Columbia students to read, please submit them to [email protected] with the subject line: student to student blog.