A “typical” host family with 2 lovely children: that could be what comes to mind when thinking about what a host family is. However, it exists various types of host “families”, generally depending on which kind of program abroad you’re taking part in. This is a crucial factor to take into account when choosing your language course program.
On the one hand, host families participating in the Junior Homestay program welcome a teenager like a new member of their family so that interaction is intensive. They supervise the student and immerse him in their family and daily life. The family is really eagger to share a lot with the student and learn from his culture too, even if level of integration in the host family life still depends on each host family of course. They can either be a family with children or retired people. In this kind of homestay program, the student does not attend any language course, it’s a pure immersion program generally for juniors during summer holidays.
On the other hand, host families hosting students attending a Language school program offer room and board, it is a mere type of accommodation. Students of this language school program are usually young adults and must be quite autonomous, since this kind of host family is not asked to organize activities for and with the student. Students organize then their leisure time freely, go to school to attend language courses and participate in optional activities. They go back “home” to have a rest, to study, to have their meals and to sleep…
In this kind of program, students usually do not spend so much time in the host family during the day and prefer staying with their schoolmates or visit the town. In opposition to host families for homestay programs, there might be no intensive interaction with the members of the host family and it may mainly deals with daily issues and daily conversation. These host families can either be a family with or without children, a single-parent family, retired people, a woman living alone…
Now that you know the main differences between host families hosting students for Junior Homestay programs and host families for Language school programs, you’re ready to go abroad!
Three weeks ago we talked about “culture shock” and tried to understand better what it deals with. Here are some advices to make the culture shock less important and the recovery easier when going abroad.1) Cultural relativism: focus on the idea that no one culture is “right” or “wrong”. So don’t use your own standards to compare and judge other cultures with, but try to understand why the way of doing of the other culture differs from yours, and vice versa.
2) Get prepared:learn the language! Culture and language use are strongly linked. This will give you not only some control in the new culture once you get there, but also the opportunity to meet people and socialise. Making friends as soon as you can is important. Don’t forget to find out about food, customs and so on before you go, not to be unpleasantly surprised or even shocked.
3) Work on yourself: raise your self-awareness and listen to yourself! Be observant on what’s going on around you, and try to notice behavioral differences. Try not to lose your temper, keep your sense of humor and reserve judgement when you get frustrated.
4) Be sensitive, open and tolerant: when something goes wrong take a new look at yourself, try to understand if you might have done it the “wrong way” within the other culture. Don’t dismiss things you don’t know about. On the contrary, try to put yourself in the shoes of the other culture to better understand how their world is and why.
5) Be social and extrovert: even if you tend to be shy, adopt a new identity and be the person you’ve always dreamed to be. Forget stereotypes! You blind yourself to all the other charateristics peculiar to the other culture when you focus on stereotypes.
Some situations to avoid!
A common reaction to difference is seeking things you are acquainted with. This is part of the critical stage 2 in cultural shock process: you tend to over-idealise your own culture and as a result, to make the gap between both cultures become more important! So be careful, this generally leads to super ethno-centric moaning situations in which you tend to downgrade the benefits of your host culture. Don’t forget that the main objective when going abroad is not to entirely replicate your home country, do you think it would be worth going in a foreign country then?
In a nutshell
Enjoy differences! See the positive side of this experience, and make the decision to adapt your habits and behaviour by changing them a little bit to better match the culture you’re in. You will be surprised on how fast things will pleasantly evolve. People will apreciate the effort you make, and you’ll enjoy a lot this unique and rewarding experience!
Have you ever experienced cultural shock? What happened and how did you cope with it? Tell us about it!
Next June 25th 2010 will take place an open doors day at Notre-Dame International High School which is about to open in September. This will enable you to visit this unique school and its facilities as well as meet the staff!
Interested in enrolling at Notre-Dame International High School or just curious about it? Don’t miss this opportunity! Notre-Dame International High School organises an open doors day on June 25th 2010, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm for students interested in enrolling at this American school next to Paris. Students from all over the continents are already enrolled, we’re just waiting for you! Take part in this open doors day!
Going abroad and leaving your country, the one you’ve grown up in, your culture and traditions… that’s not easy for anyone. You can even quickly feel homesickness, due to what’s called “culture shock”. This mainly happens in a case of a long stay (several months) in a different culture. Culture shock has been divided up into a process of 5 main different phases. Let’s see them with Rebecca Fong, a teacher of intercultural communication at the University of the West of England.
1. Euphoria or exhilaration
This phase is also called “the honeymoon period”. It usually takes from a few weeks to a few months depending on your personnality and the cultural distance, that’s to say how different both cultures are. Everything is new and great, you see it as an exciting experience and you tackle your problems with good humour. Actually you’re too busy to get depressed.
2. You realise that you’re an outsider
You start to experience the differences between both cultures and to face some problems: trafic problems, you don’t like the typical food there… Even if people are pretty kind to you, you just feel like you’re a misunderstood person. This is a critical stage because you begin to over-idealise your own culture and make the gap between both cultures become more important. Lots of people give up at this stage after having suffered it for a while.
3. Recovery and acculturation
This is the learning process, your language skills definitely improve and, as a result, your contact with the culture also improves and you integrate better with it. You also make more efforts to be part of the community, making friends and being interested in typical manners and customs of the country. You’re on the right track to recover from your culture shock! However, in this stage, you might still want to impose your own ideas rather than accepting the one of the host culture…
4. You adjust properly and appreciate the other culture
You really start to understand the norms and values of your host culture for what they are, and feel pretty integrated and comfortable with it. You might even believe that some of your host culture’s values are better than your own! =)
5. Going back home
Going back home can be quite a challenge too. Indeed, you might face some difficulty to re-adapt to your own culture after a long period spent abroad! This might be considered as re-acculturation or re-entry shock. But don’t despair, as Rebecca Fong says; “there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the more times you experience culture shock, the easier it’s going to get.” (get more information about Rebecca Fong’s studies on culture)
Now that you know this 5-stage-process better, we’ll give you some advices on how to deal with culture shock when going abroad, how to acculturate and adjust properly to the other culture, making the culture shock less important and the recovery easier! In the meanwhile, you can have a look at these useful advices for students going abroad. See you next week!
The official opening of the new American Nacel School “Notre-Dame International High School” was sealed by Dr Frank Tarsitano, PhD President of Nacel Open Door and Yves Le Saout, Principal of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. Danièle Thevenin, Deputy Head, Steve Murphy, Director of the American school and Gerard Avundo, Director of Nacel Programs also attended the meeting.
The asset of Notre-Dame International High School relies on the fact that it combines an American curriculum with the French environment of the sister school Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux, a French school that provides an excellent education for many years now. Students will then become proficient in both languages and interculturally skilled!
Furthermore, this American High School in Paris will welcome students from many different countries. Some of them are from Brazil, Ukraine, Philippines, USA… Students will soon come from all continents! And you, where are you coming from?!
The school is due to open early September 2010 as planned.
You’re interested in taking part in this great project but want to know more about it? So don’t wait any longer, you’re about to live the most unforgettable experience of your life! Come on and join Notre-Dame International High School’s multicultural student body thanks to a High School program!
And what aboutfun andleisures? These are surely two keywords if you want to enjoy your academic year abroad.
At St Paul Preparation School the students’ self-development is fundamental, that’s why it offers a pleasant school life through a wide range of extra-curricular activities!
Talent shows as we’ve already seen, pumpkins making for Halloween, sports with a boys soccer team and a girls soccer team, basketball, clubs where students can enhance their global and specific skills, and so on!
Do you dream of attending an American curriculum in a French environment? Then have a look at this and make your dream come true!
The Notre-Dame International high schoolis a private American school located in Verneuil-sur-Seine, just 30 minutes away from Paris by train. This private American school is established at Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux, a school which is well-known for its excellent education(one of the best in France) for more than 80 years now.
Notre-Dame International high school is part of the Saint Paul Preparatory school’s network. It actually offers an American curriculum leading to the US High School Diploma in the French environment of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. For the most part, courses are taught by American teachers in English, but some other courses are also taught in French, making the students become very proficient in both languages!
The campus of Notre-Dame is definitely unique: the Château de Verneuil is located in the heart of a beautiful wide park with gardens and lots of trees… so that pupils can study in a real pleasant atmosphere!
Moreover, this school offers lots of extra-curricular activities for all the students! Many clubs such as Photo, Theatre, Flamenco or Jazz for example are available. Many schools trips are also organized in France and in Europe, in order to enable students to discover various cultures.
Notre-Dame International high school’s boarding quarters’ and host families’ options are also an asset, above all for international students living far away. Host families enable them to get fully immersed in the French culture.
This a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so just don’t let go this opportunity!
Students of the school are waiting for you to share this unique experience. >>Join this American School in Paris now!<<
Combining secondary school studies and homestay in an English speaking or French speaking host family… it’s the best way to dramatically improve your English and/or French language skills, don’t you think?! Maybe you should consider enrolling in an Academic Year in Canada…
Canada is not only famous for its natural scenic beauty and wonderful landscapes, but also for its ethnic diversity and warm-welcoming people. Just enjoy the video!
Enrique comes from Chile. Last year, he spent a semester at St Paul Preparatory School. Here is his testimonial of what he considers to be ”the most important experience of his life”. This unique experience not only enabled him to improve his English, but also to make friends from all over the world!
And you, how would you like to have a meeting with the world? Maybe here is the answer!
Such a rewarding once-in-a-lifetime experience! And what about you? Do you feel like taking part in? Join this American private High School!
Here are some advices about life in Germany, especially in a German host family.
Inform the family
Inform the family and tell the members when you will be at home, when you need to wake up… so that they won’t be worried.
If you want to rest, tell the family that you are going to your room: don’t isolate yourself without advising your family. They could think you are feeling bad in their home.
Be thoughtful
A little present, like flowers for your hostess or a round of ices for the family, will show your hosts that you are generous. Your gift will be highly appreciated.
Be open to German activities
If your host family offers you to participate in activities, accept! If you say no because you are too shy to say yes, your family may take your “no” seriously. So say yes if you want to do something. Bring with you some clothes adapted to sports since German people love sports. Bring also clothes adapted to rain!
Children
If there are children in your host family, try to spend time with them. Try to communicate with them, but never reprimand the children.
Open up
Bring pictures of your family, home town… so you will be able to speak about your life home to your German host family. They will be very interested in discovering your life.
Always be polite
Always be polite with your host family. Don’t forget to say “Bitte” and “Danke” when you ask for something.
Vocabulary
When you try to communicate with your German host family, try not to use expressions that could be misunderstood. Instead of expressing things from a negative side (Ich will nicht, Ich mag nicht, etc.), try to use positive expressions (ich möchte lieber, es würde mir gefallen…).
Food
Try to taste everything your family offers you. Don’t do comparison and always congratulate your hostess.
Breakfast is really important in Germany: don’t neglect it!
If you want to cook a meal from your country, ask to your German host family their authorization, as well as how do electronics work.
We hope these advices have been useful!
Share your German experience with us!
You are planning to live in a Canadian host family? The advices below will help you to have an enjoyable experience with your host family abroad!
First day
Upon arrival, you will likely be very tired, and speaking in English or French with your Canadian family could be difficult.
Don’t worry, your family knows that. Don’t try to speak about too complicated subjects: instead of that, try to speak about where you come from, your family… You will have plenty of time during the rest of your stay to have long conversations with your Canadian host family.
Canadian host families
Canada is a multicultural country: Canadian citizen come from many countries. Even if they are not Canadian natives, they will speak with you in English or French, depending on the location of your stay.
The nuclear family is not as common as before: you may be with a divorced parent for example. Almost all women work in Canada. Even if this is different from your own family, you must try to adapt yourself: be open-minded!
Canadian Room
You may have to share your room with another foreign student, usually from a different country. This will be something you will know before departure.
Also, in some Canadian houses, rooms can be small: if you don’t have enough room for your things, tell it to your Canadian family: they will indicate you a place to put your things!
Washing clothes
Ask to your Canadian host family when they do your laundry, so you can give your clothes. Offer to do your own laundry if they show you how the machine works.
Bathroom
You will have to share the bathroom with the other members of the family. Try not to use it for more than 15 minutes. Ask to your Canadian host family which time is the best for you to take your shower. Bring your own products (shampoo, soap…).
Sundays
Sunday is a relaxing and religious day in Canada. Your family will be pleased if you accept to accompany them to church.
Household
In Canada, cleaning is made on weekends. Since women work, all family members participate in the house chores.
As a host, you will be expected to do little chores on a daily basis: make your bed, keep your things tidy.
Offer to dress up the table, and after eating help to clean up.
We hope these advices have been useful. Don’t hesitate to share your Canadian experience with us!
In this kind of program, students usually do not spend so much time in the host family during the day and prefer staying with their schoolmates or visit the town. In opposition to host families for homestay programs, there might be no intensive interaction with the members of the host family and it may mainly deals with daily issues and daily conversation. These host families can either be a family with or without children, a single-parent family, retired people, a woman living alone…
1) Cultural relativism: focus on the idea that no one culture is “right” or “wrong”. So don’t use your own standards to compare and judge other cultures with, but try to understand why the way of doing of the other culture differs from yours, and vice versa.
Notre-Dame International high school is part of the Saint Paul Preparatory school’s network. It actually offers an American curriculum leading to the US High School Diploma in the French environment of Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux. For the most part, courses are taught by American teachers in English, but some other courses are also taught in French, making the students become very proficient in both languages!
The campus of Notre-Dame is definitely unique: the Château de Verneuil is located in the heart of a beautiful wide park with gardens and lots of trees… so that pupils can study in a real pleasant atmosphere!
Notre-Dame International high school’s boarding quarters’ and host families’ options are also an asset, above all for international students living far away. Host families enable them to get fully immersed in the French culture.
