Living in a Homestay is a truly unique experience and the only way to really learn about another culture and develop foreign language skills. Homestay is a full immersion in a new culture and therefore has certain advantages that private accommodations, such as an apartment or home rental, cannot provide. Such benefits include an insight into the daily life of a local family, an opportunity to practice a second language, and a chance to try typical foods of another culture.
A host attending a tailgate at Gillette Stadium with her Danish students
Global Immersions stands out as Boston’s leading Homestay specialist, because we pride ourselves on ensuring that our visitors experience all of these opportunities that Homestay has to offer . In comparison to larger Homestay corporations, Global Immersions is able to deliver a more personal experience, fostering a closer relationship with our hosts and clients. We strive for quality, and take more aspects into account when matching a visitor with a host family. We want our visitors to have a full cultural immersion, which is why we certify that no other speakers of the visitor’s native language live in the Homestay and require our hosts to communicate with their visitors in English. We take into consideration our visitor’s preferences regarding conditions such as allergies, dietary restrictions, pets, smoking, heath needs, and location. We aim to make successful visitor placements by pairing visitors with hosts that share similar hobbies, interests, or personality traits. Global Immersions stands out from other Homestay specialists, because we work actively to help our visitors assimilate into a new culture and have a positive Homestay experience. Upon arrival we provide our visitors with the materials they need to be prepared to live in the home of another family. We offer group orientation sessions where we talk about the cultural differences the visitors will face in an American home and discuss what they should and should not expect of their Homestay and host family.
A host playing a game at home with her family and Danish visitors
Our main focus as a Homestay provider is on our visitors Homestay experience. This means that we want our visitors to feel completely included in their host’s daily life and totally integrated into the family as a whole. This fall, we were pleased to welcome over 163 Danish visitors from five different schools. These students from, Handelsgymnasiet Aalborg Saxogade, Aalborg Handelsskole, Haderslev Hadelsskole, Viborg Gymnasium, and Ringkøbing Handelsskole, were in Boston attending classes at Bunker Hill community College and learning about American culture through their time in Homestay. Our hosts involved the Danish students in dozens of different activities, providing them with countless memorable experiences and learning opportunities.
Danish students attending a hot yoga class with their host father
Here are some fun moments that our hosts and Danish students shared together:
- We enjoyed American football games on TV, and listening to music together. We went to my sister’s house in Winchester for dinners and had board game nights with everyone.
- I took them to the Watertown Yankees Candle and I treated them all to frappes at Wild Willies. I also drove them to school three days.
- We watched The Presidential Debate together
- We had a great times together easting out at a restaurant and we also went to a children fundraiser at the Masonic Lodge in Melrose. They had a lot of fun with my kids.
- We have a home in Maine, so we took them for the weekend. We saw the beautiful foliage, and took them to the Fryeburg Fair. We visited my mother’s home and went to dinner together when it was my daughter’s birthday. We also enjoyed watching TV together and just hanging out.
- I teach Bikram Hot Yoga and the students came to a couple classes. They mingled with some great people, Doctors, Lawyers, Brain surgeon, cyclists, and the energy level was high. After class, the students and yoga students took a 40 minute long ocean swim. Afterwards, we toured Marblehead and hit Whole Foods for lunch.
- We had dinner together each night and enjoyed talking about life in the United States and in Denmark. I took them to church with me, and we had brunch at a local restaurant. We went shopping at the South Shore Mall and at the supermarket. They were very helpful in the kitchen and enjoyed my cooking.
- We attended a soccer game and went grocery shopping together. I also took them to a tailgate at Gillette. We had a blast!
- We went to Revere beach and North Gate Mall
- On Sunday, we took the students shopping at Legacy Place in Dedham and the following Saturday, we took them for dinner at Marina Bay in Quincy. They had a good time. Each evening, we shared the day’s experience over dinner.
- I took the girls to my church last Sunday and they were able to enjoy a true Black church experience. It was “Family and Friends Day” at the church and we also honored the women of the church who were 90 years and older. My grandson was also baptized that Sunday. The girls enjoyed my family at the gathering for my grandson at my home. I took the girls to the South Shore Mall and to the supermarket. They were extremely helpful to me in the kitchen. They mingled very well with my family and met three generations of my family members.
- Went on a walk together to familiarize them with the neighborhood, we also went to the movies with my book club and talked about families, employment & education goals. we enjoyed having discussions about activities during the day, and comparing cultures. We went to grocery store to pick out their favorite foods, and I introduced them to the other foreign student in my home and they chatted about their school programs.
- We visited the Museum of Science and saw a film at the Omni 3D Theater.
- The boys wanted to go to Taco Bell, as they had never been before. We also saw a high school football game at the Everett the football stadium and went to the Assembly Square Mall.
- I took the girls to an All White Affair Birthday Party
- We went to Dave and Busters
- We visited Revere Beach
It is our goal to create a positive Homestay experience for our hosts as well as our visitors. In order to continuously improve our services, we ask our visitors and hosts to evaluate their experience during the group program. The feedback we receive shows us where improvements need to be made to enhance our programs and helps us gauge the satisfaction of our visitors. Here is just some of the many positive notes we received from the Danish students of our recent group programs.
“My Homestay helped me understand the culture of the country much better and it created new connections. “
“My overall experience was really fantastic! My family was so nice and helped me with everything. I will be back at [my host] family’s house soon! Our friends loved her too! Our friends joined us on trips with the family.”
“It was nice to experience new cultures from the inside and my host was the greatest!”
“Homestay is a very good way to learn about another culture. It was an amazing experience and our hosts were so nice.”
Danish girls attending a white party with their host mom
We also received fantastic feedback from the hosts of our Danish groups, who clearly enjoyed the time they spent with the students.
“These kids were great!!!! I loved them!! Great personality, friendly, fun, respectful, well rounded young men. I wish they were here longer!!“
“I really appreciate hosting the Danish students. The experience was a win/win. We both learned and had great continuous conversations about everything. I was very impressed with their interest and knowledge of U.S. Culture, History and politics as well as their concern for the global environment.“
“I am thankful to Global Immersions for the great experience of hosting the Danish students. Granted, the Danish students were well mannered, educated, friendly, health conscious and overall positive happy people. Global Immersions set the tone by competently securing every step of the students stay from arrival to departure. I thank you all at Global Immersions for doing the job correctly.“
“Wonderful girls! We thoroughly enjoyed their company! Only complaint is that they couldn’t stay longer!”
“We enjoyed the students from Denmark, they were very happy in our home. We all had dinner together and talked and laughed. They were fun.”
“We were very, very, happy with the students we had. They were perfect guests, very fun and I miss them already.”
“This was my first time have female students, and the experience was quite enjoyable. It was sad to see them go.”
Danish boys visiting Revere Beach with their host dad
Global Immersions is the leader in group Homestay programs. If you are interested bringing a group abroad to experience American life through Homestay please contact our coordinator !
