Can anyone be a host family? Absolutely, it’s definitely not just for teachers. But there are a few important requirements and qualities needed to be a great host.
What Really Matters in a Homestay Host?
Key Qualities of a Great Host
Being fully immersed in a different culture can sometimes be intense and it can bring up feelings of homesickness. So when it comes to how to be a good homestay host some of the most important qualities to have are patience and empathy.
Good communication is also an essential skill to be a homestay host. Because being able to set clear expectations about house rules and build trust are key to providing a positive and enriching experience for your guest.
Having cultural curiosity too makes a huge difference as it enables you to have more meaningful conversations and make deeper connections.
Importance of Environment
The physical aspects of your home also play a big role in creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for your homestay guest.
Obviously your home needs to be clean and tidy. But there’s also things like having a reliable WiFi connection, laundry facilities, lockable doors for privacy and storage space for their stuff that are important too.
Adding personal touches such as fresh flowers and toiletries to your guest room is also a lovely idea.
Who Can Be a Homestay Host?
But can anyone be a host family? Well, yes! In fact the wide range of people that make up homestay experiences are one of the best things about them.
So whether you’re a family, a retiree, a professional, or a solo host, you can do it. It’s definitely not just a vocation for qualified teachers and no qualifications are needed.
Obviously there are still a few prerequisites. There needs to be a willingness to host and an enthusiasm to engage with guests. You should also have the awareness that having a guest, especially from a different culture, in your house can bring challenges to overcome.
But being a homestay host can be an overwhelmingly rewarding experience and you will truly get out of it what you put in.
How to Become a Homestay Host with Lingoo
Basic Requirements
Guests staying in your home will need their own space, so a private and pleasant bedroom is a must. So too is access to a kitchen or provided meals and opportunities for social interactions.
There are also some legal considerations, as ensuring that both language students and hosts are safe during homestays is paramount. All members therefore go through a stringent validation process which includes ID verification, proof of address checks and referencing.
Practical Steps To Get Started
Signing up to be a Lingoo homestay host is very straightforward. Firstly you just need to register and verify your email. Then next up is a questionnaire about your home, family and hobbies.
It’s best to include as much information as you can and you’ll also need to add good quality photographs of yourself, your home and where your guest will be staying.
Your aim is to give as much of a complete picture of what your homestay will be like as possible. That way potential guests looking at your profile can readily see you’ll be a good match.