Homestay Guidelines for Athletes
The following represents Athlete Homestay Guidelines to assist you in understanding and adjusting to general areas of interest involved in daily homestay living.
PLEASE review the “Homestay Guidelines” in the Host Families section to gain a complete understanding as to the expectations that shall be communicated to the host family prior to your formal placement into their home.
It is vital to the success of every Homestay Florida placement that that both the athlete(s) and host families understand each other’s responsibilities in order to promote a smooth homestay transition.
Respect your Homestay Family
Please keep in mind that you will be living in a family home, and not away on vacation in a hotel where everything is done for you. Your homestay family has made a commitment to providing you with a safe and nurturing environment as you adjust to a new country and culture, and it is equally important that you make a commitment to them! Remember to always be respectful, polite, thankful, and friendly to all members of your homestay family and respect their privacy. Back
Payment
For athletes, payment for your homestay accommodation will be arranged through your sponsoring organization or your family. Homestay fees provided by families shall be collected upfront, on a semester by semester basis. Back
Damages
Please immediately inform the homestay family of any damages or accidents within their home. Athletes must pay for any damages or breakages caused by them or by their visitors. Back
Visitors
Please ask the homestay family, in advance, if you wish to have friends visit you at home. Discuss with your family the appropriate time that your visitors should leave the home. Visitors of the opposite sex are not permitted in your bedroom unless approved by the homestay, and the bedroom door must always remain open for others to enter. Friends will only be allowed to stay overnight with the family’s permission, which should be requested in advance. Back
Cell Phone
Please be courteous when talking to others on your cell phone around the home. Talk to others quietly and in a private area of the home, and not in front of any member of your host family or their guests. Back
Internet
Please ask your host family before downloading music, making video calls (Skype, QQ, etc.) or watching movies online. These activities take up a lot of bandwidth and may limit the internet usage for other members of the family. Also, please respect your commitment to your program and refrain from staying up late at night enjoying the internet! Back
General Home Cleanliness
You are expected to be aware of some general rules of cleanliness.
Kitchen: Please assist in cleaning up after eating with your host family, as well as after preparing food or snacks for yourself. Ask your host family their rules for bringing food or snacks into your bedroom. If they allow this, then make sure to return dirty dishes and glassware to the kitchen and clean them when you are finished. Back
Meals
For athletes, meals are typically structured as follows:
Breakfast: self-served as agreed upon by athlete and family.
Lunch: provided by the host family or by your sponsoring organization (TBD).
Dinner: as served by family.
Note that breakfast will usually consist of toast, cereal, muffins and other light foods that you will prepare for yourself. Cooked breakfasts prepared by host parents, especially during the week, are not common in America. Please contact the homestay family if you will not be home for dinner, or if you will be late for dinner. Back
Laundry (washing your clothes)
It is not typical for homestay families to offer to include the athlete’s washing as part of your homestay. Most athletes and families prefer the athlete to do their own washing. The homestay family will show you how to use the washing machine and provide the basic necessities you’ll need to do your laundry. You are responsible for purchasing any special items that you’ll require. Do not use the washing machine to wash only one or two items, as this is wasting water. Make sure you have a half or full load to wash, depending on the settings of the machine. Back
Money and Valuables
Be careful with your money and valuables. Do not leave anything out in the open in your bedroom or in any area around the house. Keep them in a secure or locked container in your bedroom. Do not take large amounts of money with you when going outside of the home. Large amounts of money should be kept in a bank account or in a safety deposit box at the bank. Ask your host family for assistance. Back
Insurance
All care is taken by Homestay Florida and your Homestay Family to ensure that you and your valuables are safe. However, neither Homestay Florida nor your homestay family accepts any responsibility in the case of personal injury, accident, or loss of life or personal items. It is therefore important that all athletes purchase their own personal travel insurance to protect themselves against these occurrences. Back
Family Activities
If your family is going on an outing (trip to the beach, shopping, vacation, etc.) and they invite you, please accompany them. Keep in mind that you are generally responsible for any expenses outside of the home (clothes, entertainment, movies, meals at restaurants, souvenirs, theme parks, etc.), so please be prepared to pay for yourself unless otherwise offered by your host family.
You are considered as a part of their family and time spent with your host family away from the home is a wonderful opportunity for you to improve your English language, as well as to visit other places and grow closer to your family. Participate often! Back
Communication
Adjusting to a new culture can be challenging, and your host family is there to help you. Please openly and regularly communicate with them. Do not come home from your facility and stay in your bedroom! Become a part of the family. Back
