A homestay is a period of time when the student lives in an American home as a member of the family. Although expenses for room and board are included in the fees, a Homestay is more of a relationship than a room rental.

Homestay Providers are carefully chosen by the University for their kind and caring personalities. The selection of each family is made after a thorough background check and review of references. Every Homestay Provider will participate in an orientation and training program before the international student arrives.

Students that live with Homestay families find their English improves dramatically through conversation and daily interaction with their families. They have a greater sense of security and exposure to a rich variety of cultural learning opportunities, such as family activities, religious practices, sporting events, and more. The greatest reward for the students and families is the deep, lasting friendship established between them.

The Homestay Family

In the United States a Homestay family can take many forms. A Homestay family can be a retired couple, a single-parent family, or a traditional family. They can be young or older, with or without children, but they all share a strong interest in international students. 

The Homestay Family facility will include:

• a clean and comfortable home
• a kind and caring family
• a safe, English-speaking environment
• a furnished bedroom with study area
•  linens/towels
• healthy meals
• kitchen access, as arranged with family (student is responsible for clean up)
• access to laundry facilities, including detergent, etc.
• telephone access for local calls
• television privileges, and in many homes computer with internet access. 

The Homestay Student

Living with a Homestay Family requires cooperation that involves some personal sacrifices. A Homestay Student is like a family member, not a guest. As a result, families may have certain expectations from the student, such as, participating in family activities, cleaning one’s room and bathroom, keeping reasonable hours, communicating with the family about one’s schedule, occasionally helping with minor household chores, and not inviting guests without the Homestay family’s permission.

What characterizes a positive Homestay Student?

• He/she is able to recognize that being in a Homestay is a privilege.
• He/she is able to appreciate and enjoy different kinds of people and appreciate a family environment.
• He/she is willing to make an effort to communicate and cooperate with others.
• He/she will follow the guidelines and preferences of the family.
• He/she is mature, stable, flexible, and good-natured. 

Transportation

Either the Homestay family or MCU will provide transportation to and from campus Monday through Friday for classes. Beyond the class schedule, MCU cannot always provide transportation when the student needs it or desires it. MCU does provide transportation for a fee from and to the Nashville International Airport at the beginning and end of the semester. 

Homestay Guidelines for Students

1. Know that the goal of the Homestay Program is to assist in mastering English-speaking proficiency.
2. We want to welcome you into our homes.  Do not be afraid to ask questions, speak openly, and participate in regular family activities.
3. Please be courteous and respectful of the family and home.  This means, for example, keeping your bedroom clean; keeping your bathroom clean and dry; letting your homestay family know if you will not be home for dinner or if you will be late coming home at night; being careful of how much noise you make when others are sleeping; and learning the ‘house expectations’ or special needs of your homestay family.
4. Please pay attention to American customs regarding personal cleanliness.
5. Overnight guests or romantic visits, day or night, are not allowed.  This is a family issue as well as a security issue.  There are several Homestay families that have children for which this issue is especially important.
6. Check with the Homestay family about daytime guests.
7. Please be careful about use of water, electricity, gas, etc.  Be aware that these are expensive, especially during the summer and winter.  Limiting your showers, turning off lights when leaving a room, turning off televisions when not in use or sleeping will be appreciated by your family.
8. Do not use Homestay appliances such as washers/dryers until your Homestay family shows you how to operate them properly.
9. Please use a calling card for any long-distance calls, unless you have made previous arrangements with the Homestay family.
10. Do not forget you are here above all else to learn English.  So ask questions and tell your Homestay family about your day.
11. You are expected to show respect to family members and behave responsibly at all times.
12. Smoking, using alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are NOT permitted. 
13. Please remember that most problems come from communication and language-related problems.  If you are confused or angry about something with your Homestay family, it is probably because of some misunderstanding.  Try to communicate with your family; ask questions if you don’t understand something. Talk to them (politely) if you are upset or angry.
14. Please do your best to fit into your Homestay family’s normal routine, schedules and usual diet, (although food likes, dislikes, and allergies will be taken into consideration by your family when making meals).
15. You are responsible to reimburse your Homestay family for any repairs due to damage to their home or property, or any outstanding bill, before you leave the home.
16. Notify the Dean for International Student Programs immediately if there is any problem between you and your family.
17. Participation in household routines such as clearing the dinner table, etc. is considered good manners in our culture.
18. Students are expected to stay with Homestay families until they have completed their ESL program and are ready to enter the undergraduate program (at which time they will move into the MCU residence hall).