Bring The World To Your Home: Families Sought for Summer Visits by International Students
The UMass Civic Initiative is looking for individuals or families to participate in the summer Homestay Program. A homestay brings together one or two international college students with local individuals or families in the Pioneer Valley. The experiences are overnight and last from lunchtime on the first day through lunch the next day.
Since we started the homestay program, the international students have consistently told us that the homestay is the most rewarding part of their stay here. Hosts say that the casual conversations that take place open up whole new insights into the society, culture, and politics of both the U.S. and other countries. Hosts’ children are given a glimpse of world diversity. Hosts also play a small but important part in fighting the hate and misunderstanding we often read about and hear from our politicians.
Depending on their preference, the hosts can welcome any number of participants for a homestay. A typical number is two students.
Besides meals, hosts can arrange local activities like a movie, outdoor activity, or a sporting event. Some people invite friends over to meet the students. Civic Initiative staff will handle the drop-off and pick-up transportation. We will also provide you with any students’ social or dietary information in advance.
We are looking for homestay hosts for Pakistani public policy students and North Africa/Middle East entrepreneurship students (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan)
Please forward this to friends and family that you feel will benefit from a rewarding and engaging experience.
Please express your interest in a homestay or to ask questions, contact Theresa Wodecki, Homestay Coordinator at twodecki@donahue.umass.edu.
December 08, 2023
