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!
Going to Canada? The advices below will help you with meals and manners there!
Meals
-Food in Canada can be different from the one you are used to. Try to sample everything, and if you don’t like something, say it (politely and tactfully) to your hosts.
There are 3 meals in Canada: Breakfast: usually taken between 7 and 8 am, it is milk or coffee, with toasts and marmalade or cereals and milk, and orange juice. It is an important meal, don’t skip it! Lunch: It is usually a quick, light meal. Usually, it will be a sandwich, a cake, a fruit and a drink. Dinner: Generally taken between 5 and 7 pm, it is the most important meal of the day. Usually, the whole family meets, and you will likely have fruit, meat and vegetables, and a dessert. This is the occasion to practice your English or your French!
-If your family is not from an anglosaxon origin (70% of the Canadian population), the food will likely be influenced by their origin.
-If you want to cook a traditional meal from your country to your Canadian host family, ask them the permission, and also how to use electronics, since they can be different from the one you are used to.
-If you are not going to be home for a meal, inform your host family. Manners
Always be polite with your family: use “please” and “thanks” when you ask something.
Communicate with your Canadian hosts: if you need something, you will have to ask them since they can’t know otherwise.
Always tell your host when you will be home or out, so that they don’t worry.
Upon arrival, ask their hosts about their habits: when the television can be watched, in which rooms you can go or not…
Don’t isolate yourself. Since Canadian people are really respectuous of others’ private life, if you shut yourself in your room they will think you don”t want to be disturbed. If you are tired, just tell them you need to rest a little.
Don’t expect your hosts to come to you to speak, watch TV… They will expect you to come spontaneously.
If you want to bring a friend over, first ask to your hosts.
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!
You are flying to Australia and will live with an Australian host family. You may feel a bit afraid since you don’t know what to expect of the family, or how to behave. Here are some general advices to help you get along well with your Australian host family.
Don’t go there as a tourist!
The whole point of a host family is to help you experiment the everydaylife of the country. It is really likely that your Australian host family will work and won’t have a lot of time to take you out!
Enjoy the time you will have with your Australian host family but don’t expect them to have so many time.
If you are going there with a group program, don’t go there to meet your friends: you will be in Australia to experiment the Australian life, so you wouldn’t benefit as much of the experience if you are always with friends from your country.
Don’t go there only to improve your English!
Your family knows you want to improve your English and will always be pleased to correct you when you are wrong. However, they wouldn’t understand that you have traveled to their country and live with them only for this. Share your own culture, try to be open. Also, if a member of the family or a child in the neighborhood is learning your own language, you would please him/her by challenging him/her sometimes!
Open yourself to your Australian host family!
Give your friendship to your Australian host family. Share your feelings with your family, but always pay attention to the vocabulary you are using, since some expressions like “I don’t care” or “It’s stupid” is a bit strong.
Your host mom and host dad will want to be your Australian parents: call them how they tell you to do, without hesitating!
Share your family expenses!
Even if you don’t have to, your Australian host family will appreciate small marks of attention: for example, flowers for your host mother, or a round of ices.
Also, if the family takes you out, always offer to pay for your part!
We hope these advices have been useful. Remember that a host that is open-minded, smiling, polite and generous will always go well with his/her host family! Share your experience in Australia with us!
Meals and hygiene are two important components of everyday life : if you are going to live in an American host family, these advices below may be very useful!
American Meals
There are usually 3 meals in the typical American day:
Breakfast
Taken around 8am, breakfast is usually coffee or milk, with toasts, butter and marmalade, or cereals with milks, and orange juice. This is a very important meal, don’t skip it!
Lunch
Usually taken between 12am and 1pm, it is a quick meal, except on Sunday: Hamburger, hot-dog… Usually, you have to help yourself out in the fridge or go to the local fast food.
Dinner (or supper)
The American family doesn’t meet often to take this meal. It can be a pizza or a hamburger everyone eats when hungry. However, more traditional families take a real dinner together, eaten between 6 and 8 pm, with salad, meat, vegetables, dessert…
Don’t be afraid if your family doesn’t offer to prepare your meals: they will tell you to help yourself out and you should not hesitate to do so!
On Saturday and Sunday, in most families, breakfast and lunch will be replaced by a lunch, a “big breakfast”, that will be taken around 11am. On these days, there will be a dinner like the other days.
American people eat a lot of beef or chicken meat, but usually meals are balanced. Since people usually eat a lot of snacks between the meals, you will have to pay attention not to eat too much.
You should at least try to taste everything that is offered for you. And always thank your hostess and congratulate her for what she has prepared!
About clothes
Hygiene is a really important matter in the US: take it seriously!
- In most families, there will be several washings a week: ask to your family when you should give your clothes to wash it, and even offer your help to do it since usually washing machines are easy to use there: be sure to have understood how the machine works first!
American people really take cleanliness seriously. They would be bothered if you or your clothes were not clean: pay attention to this point: change your clothes and take a shower everyday.
We hope this information have been useful: don’t hesitate to share your experience with us!
Want to get general information about American life, especially in an American host family? This article is for you!
About customs
If you get in touch with the police, always stay calm and polite.
Regarding clothes, American are very tolerant, but monokinis are forbidden.
You have to behave really carefully with people of the opposite sex, since something that would be considered as usual in a Latin country could lead you to the Court in the USA!
In many American States, weapon’s possession is legal. It is highly recommended to stay calm in all situations.
People less than 21 can’t smoke or drink, and are not allowed to buy such things. If they want to do so, they will have to prove their age. Smoking is not really appreciated in the US and is strictly forbidden in many places.
Social life
Social life and communities are a really important component of American society. As an ambassador of another country, you will arouse a lot of interest, maybe you will even be interviewed by a local television: always answer positively to such manifestation of interest!
American houses
Most American houses are made of wood.
American houses are generally open: the kitchen, dining room and living room often communicate.
In most houses, toilets are in the bathroom. So, if a member of your American host family tells you he has to go to the bathroom, he may not be speaking of having a shower!
Most American houses have a front and backyard, and the front yard often communicates with neighbors’one.
American Host Families in Florida Florida is home to many hispanic families. If you are going there, you may see the parents speaking Spanish, and the children speaking English: it is a good opportunity to practice both languages!
Sundays
In many families, Sundays are dedicated to church. Even if you don’t share your family’s beliefs, if they offer you to accompany them to the service, they would be pleased to make you discover their own culture. Your family could not understand your refusal to accompany them. However, if they are “proselyte”, don’t hesitate to signal it to your local coordinator if that bothers you too much and make you feel uncomfortable.
Distances
USA are a big country: you will have to use public transportation a lot, and expect journeys of around 60 to 90 minutes!
If you have other useful information about American life, don’t hesitate to share it with us!
You are flying to the USA soon and will be living with an American host family? Here are some information you should know before departure in order to get along well with your family!
Think of yourself as an ambassador of your own country!
When you will be in the USA, you will represent your country, so your behaviour abroad will help forge an image of your fellow citizens abroad: be proud of it but don’t act like your country is better than the USA : they are just different countries. American are really proud of their country, and they wouldn’t understand if you were not proud of your own! Share your culture and your feelings!
Once in your family, you will see they want you to feel comfortable, like a true member of the family. Call your host parents the same way their children do.
Offer your help!
Being a host doesn’t mean you should act like you are in a hotel: offer your help for little chores like walking the dog out, dressing the table… In addition to please your family, these little chores will be good occasion to communicate with your American host family!
Share some expenses!
A good way to show that you are well educated is to share some expenses. If the family takes you out, always offer to pay your own expenses like tickets. You can also offer some flowers or a little present to your host mother. A round of ices will surely please everyone too!
Open yourself to your American host family!
Bring some pictures of your family or life abroad: you will be able to explain your everyday life to your American host family!
Don’t stay alone in your room, it could be misinterpreted by your host family. If you are tired and want to rest, inform your family.
If your family offers you to participate in activities, always accept it. If you say “no” to be polite, your family will take this “no” for what it is, I.e, a “no”. Don’t waste opportunities!
If your American host family has young children, try to have fun or play with them!
Pay attention to misunderstandings and misinterpretations: some expressions like “it’s stupid”, that you could say innocently, could be misinterpreted by your host family.
Be autonomous
In your family, if there is a teenager, it is likely he will have a job: Americans are encouraged toward financial independence, and having a job, especially during summer, is something usual.
Your American host family will have already thought of the problems such a situation could give, and may have associated friends and family so you won’t be alone!
Your American host family will expect your to be able to take care of yourself.
If you are an enthusiast and open-minded host, you will be able to integrate yourself quickly to your American host family and you will live a wonderful experience!
You are going to best hosted by an Irish or British host family, and you are a little bit afraid of what to expect? Here are some general advices about the behaviour that the family with expect from you, as well as general information about life in England and Ireland. Bristish and Irish families specificities:
-In many families, there will likely be a pet. Don’t be disrespectful toward it.
-You are an ambassador of your country abroad so don’t forget to stay polite and have a perfect behaviour! For example, ask to the family before doing any action like switching on the TV, inviting friends…
-Ask to your host family what is the most appropriate time for you to take your shower.
-Usually British and Irish families host students on a regular basis. This allows to get a better knowledge of the family, even if the hosting is not always as spontaneous as when the family is volunteer.
-Always be polite and ask nicely to repeat if you haven’t understood something.
-Don’t contradict your hosts, this wouldn’t be decent. If the family organizes some activities for you, thank them!
-Sunday is a special day in UK. British people like to take it slow on that day: they go to the religious service, meet family or friends… Enjoy it and use this special occasion to get to know better your hosts! Lunch will be served later on that day, around 2pm. The traditional Sunday meal would be Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. At the end of the day, British people usually have sandwiches and cakes made for the occasion.
-Regarding religion, most Irish families are Roman catholic, whereas British families tend to be Anglican. Scottish people are generally Presbyterian, and the Welshs are generally Methodists.
About general life in England and Ireland:
-Whatever the season is, it is highly recommended to bring a cloth item to protect you from the rain. The general temperature is 15.5° (Celsius) in summer, and room are usually not heated a lot, so don’t forget to bring items to keep you warm!
-Banks are usually opened from 9.30am to 4pm. In big cities they will likely be open on Saturday, whereas in the rural areas they will be closed.
-Post offices are opened from Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 5.30 pm, except on Saturdays where they closed at noon.
-Shops are opened from 9am to 5.30 pm generally. It is recommended to keep your receipts so you won’t have any problem or misunderstandings while leaving a shop.
-Don’t forget that in the UK and in Ireland, people drive on the left side of the road!
-To be able to enter a pub, you have to be 16 years old at least. However, if your host family goes to lunch in the pub, you will be able to accompany them, even if you’re not 16. Pubs generally close at 11pm.
-Coin machines near the beaches always attract suspicious-looking people. Try to avoid these places. Also, clubs and pubs surroundings around close time are also a place to avoid.
-If you are travelling with a group of foreigners, try to avoid speaking loudly in the public transports. You would be targeted as an easy prey to thefts.
I hope these advices and information have been useful for you!
You are going to Ireland or to England, and you will be hosted by a local host family? Here are some useful information and advices related to food and meals!
About meals!
Generally, there are 3 meals in the UK:
-Breakfast: you will generally have cafe or tea, cereals with milk, toast with butter/marmalade. Breakfast is a serious business in the UK: don’t hesitate to eat a lot since the lunch will likely be light!
-Lunch: usually taken around 1pm, this is generally a light meal. A typical lunch would be a sandwich, potato chips, a little cake, a fruit, fruit juice, sweets like candy bars… In most homestay, the family will provide you this lunch. If you are a “big” eater, you should try to take pocket money in order to be able to buy more food.
-Tea or Dinner: The evening meal is served early, around 5.30 or 6pm. This is the most important meal of the day. Generally speaking, you will eat a main dish followed by a dessert. In most English host families, your dish will already be served when you will sit at the table! If you are home after 6 pm, it is really likely the family will have already eaten. Since Britannic consider as impolite to watch their host eating when themselves have already eaten, you will likely eat alone.
Other generalities about food in UK and Ireland:
-Red meat is not eaten a lot in UK due to its high price. You will more likely eat chicken, turkey, pork or sheep. Meat is usually served with a brown dressing called “gravy”
-Generally, vegetables are boiled
-Bristish and Irish people don’t use a lot of fruits, but they love “sweets” like puddings, cake, syrup fruits with custard…
-Usually, there is neither bread nor water at the table. If you want some, you will have to ask to the family.
Expected behaviour!
Here are some information and advices on how to behave during meals in English and Ireland.
- Your hosts will be pleased if you helped with little household chores, like dressing the table. You also have to make your bed and keep the common places you’re using clean!
- Always be on time, and advise the family if you think you are going to be late for a meal.
- If asked about what you are served, be honest but tactful.
- Regarding manners, don’t be surprised if you see your hosts loadings their forks or having their hands under the table. British and Irish manners likely are different from the one of your country!
- At the end of your meal, put your knife, fork and spoon on your dish, but don’t cross them
- Meals are usually taken rather quickly. The family rather gathers in the salon afterward with a cup of tea to do the conversation.
- Above all, be open and try to taste everything! Never forget to congratulate your hostess for what she has prepared, she will appreciate it!
Have you other advices to share with us? Don’t hesitate to do so!
Here are three other testimonials from Canadian students: one from Emma, who participated in an Academic Year Program in Germany, and two other from Kelly’s mother and Jennifer, who participated in our language courses in France.
”Student exchange program ‘wonderful’ experience” ( Joel Jacobson)
This article has been published in The Chronicle Herald from Nova Scotia, in September 2007, and is about Emma’s experience in Germany with Nacel.
Emma Reid of Halifax, Nova Scotia, participated in the Nacel Canada Academic Program (2006-2007). Upon her return, she says the experience in Germany was “wonderful‘. She continues to qualify there was an adjustment period for herself and her host family. Emma had minimum exposure to the German language before her departure.
“My schoolwork was impossible for me to keep up with, and my language problems weren’t helping me in any way. Then, one of her teachers in Germany turned things around. In one of my first German French Grade 11 classes, my teacher helped many of my classmates get to know me much better. He told us he had brought a newspaper article written about me. I was a little puzzled, considering the only newspaper article about me I could recall was the Great Kids piece written before I had even left Canada. He explained that friends of his were vacationing in Canada and were in Halifax the day the article was published. They saw that I would be attending the gymnasium school (in Trittau, near Hamburg) where my French teacher taught, so they brought the article home to him. He shared it with my classmates. Though it was a French lesson, I spent that entire class working on our English translating skills. They learned about my interests and background, a great way for them to get to know me, especially considering my poor German skills. It was a wonderful start to making friends.”
As the year progressed Emma’s German language skills greatly improved and her involvement in various activities also, turning it into a great success. Her host family enjoyed showing her their country, they travelled at all points of Germany. She misses the bakeries and enjoyed the directness of the people. ‘They don’t beat around the bush but say what they think,” say Emma. Now that she is back home, she feels because of her experience she could get along anywhere. “The experience was wonderful. I became much more independent. I’d recommend to anyone. I certainly opened my eyes and showed me people are not all that different. Yes, I was glad to get home, but kind of sad to leave my new friends, too.”
This is an email from the mother of Kelly, from British Colombia. She participated to our Language courses in France in 2005
” I just want to drop you a little note to say that Kelly’s trip to Lyon was outstanding. She loved Ludo (the Tutor) and she truly bonded with her French family. She is just full of stories and grand memories. She didn’t think that she actually learned much French from the classes but she certainly learned a lot from living in that environment - not only in comprehension but in her confidence to speak French and confidence in general. This trip further developed admiration and interest to learn more about the French and the French culture.” wrote Mrs. Sharp August 4th, 2005 via email
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Kelly is currently in France, Academic Trimester Program in Boarding School September to December 2007 trough Nacel. She is happy with her weekend host family and the school. She is hoping to further her studies in Montreal next September.
Here are some excerpts from a letter to Nacel from participant Jennifer, living in Edmonton Alberta, and who participated in our Tutorial in France in 2005.
… “Overall, I gained experience and pleasure during my time in France-I enjoyed the tutor sessions (my tutor: Guilmette) immensely, and the excursions were excellent for learning about French history and culture”.
Jennifer continued to write ‘ I feel that I returned from France with a new sense of mind, and greater control over the French language. I can speak faster, and more fluently-although I’m nowhere near perfect-and I have had a glorious time reciting my many experiences to my friends and family.”
… my host parents “were very welcoming and accepting of my cultural differences, were always attempting to help me learn more about the French. My host-brothers also communicated in a proficient and friendly manner, as well-they were very welcoming.”
Did you like these testimonials? Don’t hesitate to share your experience abroad too!
Here is Ababacar’s testimonial. Ababacar, a young 26 years old French student, is currently participating in the Work and Study program in Canada.
The Work and Study program in Canada allows students to learn English in a carefully selected language school in Vancouver, and then to get some professional experience by working in a Canadian resort.
The Work and Study program is a 6 or 12 months program, and includes 6 or 12 weeks of in school language study, plus evening classes.
This is the perfect program for anyone wishing to discover Canada, but also wanting to get real work field experience!
When we interviewed Ababacar, he was beginning his Work and Study program in Canada, and was still attending courses in the language school in Vancouver!
Ababacar, would you agree to answer a few questions about your program?
It is with a great pleasure that I agree to participate to your interview. The school is cool, people are cool, the family is more or less cool, and I’m living with a Brazilian. This is a really great town, I’m having a crush!
Why did you choose to participate at this type of program (work and study)? Why did you want to improve your English? What were your objectives before departure?
I would lie if I’d say I have chosen this program only for the courses. I choose it because it would allow me to get money in addition to the courses. Regarding my objectives, before leaving France I wanted to do a theater school. I really want to be an actor, and now I want to stay in Canada to keep on studying there.
Speak about the school!
Courses are good. You are feeling at your ease upon your arrival, even if you’re shy. There are people from all over the world, a lot of Brazilians. Teachers are great, sometimes they speak quickly, but one, which I consider the best: Mr Hyde, I really want people to know he is the best, I succeed in understanding all the things he says, and I’m not the only one!
Nothing to say about the school’s location, it is in the heart of the city, many shops.
Courses are not boring! Why? There are a lot of breaks, and during these breaks you keep on learning since you speak English!
Thank you Ababacar! We hope you will enjoy the end of your stay!
You go abroad to learn a language but you are worry that you might not improve your language skills as much as you wish? Follow these simple tips below and you will see a dramatic language improvement!
1- Avoid speakers of your mother tongue. If you can’t, establish together a “must-speak-local-language-rule”. If one of you doesn’t respect this rule, he’ll have some pledge!
2- If you are a native English-speaker, it must be hard for you to speak the local language. Many people will want to test their English skills with you. Well, do the same, and answer to them in the local language!
3- Get acquainted with local people: there are many ways to do so, from activities, special classes like cooking, dance,…or social networks!
4- Do everything local: eat, read, shop, watch TV…! You will learn much vocabulary in doing so and will notice a dramatic improvement of your language skills!
5- Find a local “exchange talking buddy”: he/she will help you improve your speaking skills in his/her native language, and you will do the same with yours! There are many organizations offering such possibility in big cities!
6- Date a local! Ok, it may not be that easy, but hey, it’s the best way to get language improvement!
7- Try not to focus on your mistakes while speaking. Just speak out! If someone doesn’t understand you, he’ll help you! Don’t forget that you are here to learn, and that people know that and won’t judge you!
8- Try not to feel overwhelmed by cultural shock, but rather accept others’ differences. Otherwise, you may be subject to homesickness and isolate yourself from the vibrant learning environment around you!
9- Don’t be afraid to ask people to correct you! If you don’t know the word for something, just point it and ask (with a nice “please” and a big smile) how you should say it!
10- Finally, once back home, keep on working on the language or you may forget a lot! A good idea would be to get a subscription to a magazine you enjoyed reading while abroad, or buying online books of an author you have discovered there!
Do you have tips to improve languages abroad? Don’t hesitate to share it with us!
