Having a homestay guest to stay isn’t just about providing them with somewhere to sleep. It’s about creating a warm and welcoming experience that makes them feel at home - in your home.
The first day sets the tone for their whole stay and a little effort goes a long way to making it memorable (for all the right reasons).
Here are some ideas for welcoming guests and getting it right from the get go.
Preparing Before Arrival
Good hosting starts before the doorbell rings. Begin by cleaning and tidying your home - not just the guest room. Make sure that shared areas like the bathroom and kitchen are organised.
Fresh linen, clean towels and some basic toiletries make a world of difference. Having essential household information such as the WiFi password clearly displayed is also important.
If you want to go the extra mile, a handwritten guest welcome message or a small gift are also lovely touches. But having a tidy, clutter free space with some thoughtful inclusions shows your guest that you care and will help calm any nerves they might have on arrival.
Greeting Your Guest
First impressions matter. So to get your guest host relationship off to the best start possible, make sure you’re on time to welcome your guest and greet them with a big smile.
If you’re new to hosting you might feel nervous yourself. But your guest will almost definitely feel a little overwhelmed, especially if they are young, so a warm, relaxed vibe goes a long way.
Then be sure to give them a proper tour of the house. Show them where to find things they may need during their stay, how the shower works and any house rules they should know. But keep your tone friendly and informal - you’re inviting them into your home, not running a hotel.
Settling In
Offer to help with their luggage, then invite them to sit down and relax with a tasty local snack and a refreshing drink. This small gesture often opens the door to easy conversation.
Answer any questions and share a little about your favourite things in the local area. A printed or digital guide with transport info, emergency contacts and must see sights is a bonus too.
Offer Flexibility and Patience
Keep in mind that as well as language barriers, your homestay guest might initially be quieter simply due to being tired from travelling. So let them know it’s okay to rest and that you’ll be around when they are ready to chat and explore.
When it comes to how to prepare for guests, a little patience at this stage rather than rushing into any activities or language lessons can lead to a much better connection later on.
Building Rapport
Once they’ve had some time to settle in, encourage communication with open ended questions. Ask how they are feeling, and if it feels right, suggest a low key activity to do together, like taking a walk, cooking dinner or watching a local film.
In these shared moments you will start to get to know your homestay guest a little better and can then build on this for the rest of their stay.
The Lingoo Difference
Opening your home and hosting a language student is a skill. But with Lingoo, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Whether it’s your first or your fifteenth homestay guest, our resources are here to help you every step of the way.
Ready to increase your guest satisfaction and repeat bookings? Log into your Lingoo dashboard for more homestay host tips and guides.