Global Immersions Homestay specializes in customized group homestay programs. We spend time discussing and determining exactly what each client wants their visitors to experience during their time in Boston. Hosts and visitors are matched by our coordinators based on their compatibility. This compatibility is determined by the shared hobbies of hosts and visitors, preferences on pets, gender, and various other aspects of the household to ensure all involved have the most enjoyable experience possible. There is a minimum of four nights on the length of stay but not for the number of visitors in the group. Each homestay program is specifically designed for the each group!
In late March, we had the pleasure to welcome back a very large group of middle school visitors from Chiba Middle School in Japan to homestay for an intensive homestay program. The Chiba visitors were on a school trip to Boston to sightsee, tour Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, visit Harvard University, and spend two days at two local high schools interacting with high school students and learning about the U.S. educational system. The goal of the homestay program was to live with Americans in order to truly experience and learn about U.S. culture and enhance the overall program. Our hosts exposed the visitors to a variety of activities and events and foods that allowed them to have a taste of American life with locals to entirely culturally immerse them.
Here are a few of the experiences the Chiba visitors enjoyed with their hosts!
- Walking tours of Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, the Freedom Trail, Chinatown, the North End, Newbury, and Boylston
- Played outside (basketball, trampoline, catch, etc.) with family
- Toured the USS Constitution
- Watched movies and played Wii and video games
- Played board games
- Went bowling
- Attended church
- Went on nature walks and to the Arnold Arboretum
- Had a dinner party with extended family and friends
- Went to the grocery store
- Went to the mall or shopping area
- Toured an ambulance and learned about EMT services
- Attended local school and college sporting events
- Celebrated birthdays and attended birthday parties
- Dined at local restaurants
- Went to the cinema
- Visited historic homes
- Went to the Museum of Science
- Went to the local YMCA
- Toured Castle Island
- Toured Boston University campus
- Went to the Boston Public Library and JFK Library
- Cooked meals together with the host family
- Visited the New England Aquarium
- Music lessons with the host family and children
- Attended Jiu Jistsu lessons
- Had a pizza party
- Attended free concerts at Jordan Hall
- Visited galleries at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum
Boston is a city filled with all types of activities and happenings for any interest. The highlight is not only the diversity of our great city’s offerings but the fact that many events are FREE! We post many fun, interesting and upcoming activities on our facebook page daily.
Our hosts received a handmade booklet from each Chiba visitor describing them and their interests, what a typical day in their life was like, details about their family and Japanese culture. The visitors also prepared a Japanese meal for their hosts. It was a win-win situation for the hosts and visitors and a successful group program!
One of these Chiba students wrote, “My host family was so kind that I really enjoyed this homestay! Even if I can’t understand English well, they repeated it for me. I want to stay more and learn English more!” Another said, “My host family always cared about us. They talked to us many times and when we didn’t know what to say or do, they helped us. They let us meet 17 people and we got to go to many places so our schedule was busy and full of fun!!” And yet another student said, “I was worried about homestay at first, but I really enjoyed this homestay. I can’t thank my host family enough. I want to put this experience to good use in the future!”
The hosts sincerely enjoyed this group program as well. One host wrote, “They were the BEST yet, they were great company, we talked a lot about our different backgrounds, and they learned a lot about the different islands in the West Indies. They cooked dinner for me on Saturday afternoon and it was absolutely delicious. They also enjoyed the meals that I prepared for them. They were the perfect guests, and I am sorry that they had to leave so soon.” Another host commented,What two wonderful boys! They were so friendly, helpful, respectful and fun. Perfect guests!! I wish the could have stayed with us longer as we enjoyed their company so much!”
Do you have a group that you would like to bring to Boston? Contact us today to learn more about our group homestay programs.
Would you like to host for our international visitors and get involved with these group programs? Check out the Global Immersions short-term programs page for upcoming groups. Contact us for details on hosting and an application.
Thank you to all the hosts and students who participated in this homestay program!
