We are excited to announce a new weekly blog called “Host Tip of the Week” This blog will feature advice from our hosts which they have found helpful over the past years. Our hope is that these insights will be beneficial to others, especially our newer hosts! The tips may range from providing transportation schedules, to providing ways to better connect or communicate with our host students in facilitating their American transition. This week’s theme is imparting local knowledge.
Ever find that you are repeating instructions or your student has a lot of questions about your home and the area? Try making a Welcome to Homestay Binder! The welcome binder is reusable and can be left in the bedroom for each new student to access. The binder can be updated as needed and will save you time. The binder will help eliminate a lot of stress for the student when arriving and settling in to your home and the area.
Sample of different pages from a Host’s binder
Customize the binder to provide the materials that may be most relevant or helpful for your home. Some suggestions include: MBTA schedules and a “T” map, walking directions from your home to public transportation, WiFi information for the house, your contact information (business card), house guidelines, what is available for continental breakfast, keys to your home on key ring, monthly calendar with any activities scheduled (i.e, exercise classes, family day activities, children’s sporting game, etc.), places in the neighborhood to shop, eat, etc., and activities and places to explore in Boston! Include photos as visual aids or provide translations of the most common languages. A binder is convenient as students can reference the information readily and easily and use Google translate if needed!
