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4 Reasons You Should Consider Living in a Home Stay (Especially in Spain)

Home-cooked meals!!!

juliahart

Nov 05, 2018

Villanova University

4 Reasons You Should Consider Living in a Home Stay (Especially in Spain)

Julia Hart

With most study abroad programs, you will have the opportunity to choose whether you'd like to live in an apartment with other program participants, a dorm with university students, or a host family. For my program, CIEE, about half of students elected to live in an apartment and the other half with a host family. I chose to live with a host family, so of course I am biased, but I believe living in an actual home with a family is the best way to immerse yourself in another country's lifestyle. These are my favorite perks and things about the experience.

1. Sense of independence

Living with a host family, you will probably either have one other roommate or be on your own. Though this can be extremely intimidating at first, you will quickly learn how to be independent. Even exploring the neighborhood you live in is great immersion.

2. Ease of learning a language

Through my program, my host parents provide two meals. My roommate and I are typically on the run for breakfast, so I typically just grab coffee and a piece of toast, but dinner is when we really connect with the family. Dinners in Spain are typically late and long, so they are the perfect opportunity to practice Spanish. This is incredibly helpful, considering I haven't learned much colloquial, conversational language from my Spanish classes. This makes speaking to other Spaniards so much easier and really makes me altogether more confident in knowing my stuff!

3. Feeling of home

Though I have countless explanations for this one, I have two examples that really show what I am talking about. First, last week was the first time I have ever spent my birthday without my family (at school, they typically visit for a family/friends dinner or something similar). It was strange celebrating my 21st without them, but even in the morning when all of my friends were at class and I had the day to myself, my host mom, Marina, brought me a cake to celebrate. It was so thoughtful of her and reminded me of home immediately. Then, this week I caught the stomach bug and was miserable in bed for a day. Again, Marina and Carlos were quick to help out however they could. They brought me soup, told me how to contact a doctor in Spain, and constantly checked in on me. Both of these times made me feel so lucky to have my host parents, stepping in for my parents when they can't be there.

4. Home-cooked meals

An easy one. I feel pretty fortunate that my host parents are amazing chefs and try not to brag about it to my other friends a lot, but their food is truly delicious. Along with the traditional Spanish foods, like tortilla española and croquettas, they also make Italian dishes, like pasta with pesto and pizza, and Argentinian milanesa. After a long day at school or a long weekend travelling, having someone to cook for you is such a gift.

These are just my favorite things about living in a host family, but I assure you that if you take on the experience for yourself, you will be blessed with your own list! Definitely make the effort and step outside your comfort zone!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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4 Reasons You Should Consider Living in a Home Stay (Especially in Spain)

Home-cooked meals!!!

1. Sense of independence

2. Ease of learning a language

3. Feeling of home

4. Home-cooked meals

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

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11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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