Studying abroad is a super fun experience (Traveling! New friends! Great food!), but it can also be a bit nerve-wracking: questions like "How do I fit in with this new culture?" and "How can I learn the most from this experience?" pop up on the daily, especially when living with a host family in involved. One of the most anxiety-inducing questions that one can ask when faced with a study abroad experience like living with a host family comes up even before you leave the US: what should I bring my host family as a gift? I've heard of students giving all sorts of of welcome gifts, ranging from candy to tech to shot glasses, but one gift has stood out as one of the best when it comes to breaking the ice. And what is that gift?

A book!

Namely, a book about where you're from. Think coffee table books, full of beautiful photos and fun facts that you can share with your host family. With this gift, you're able to share some of your own culture while your host family shares there home with you. These gifts also make great conversation starters and can provide a new opportunity to discover similarities and differences between your new home and the one you left behind in the US. Also, these books are less likely to break or crumble than glassware or candy, so you're sure to have an intact, beautiful gift once you step off of the plane into a new country.

So, what are you waiting for? Get to your nearest bookstore and start searching for the book that'll capture your home perfectly!