PROFILE OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY
There are different types of American families including: single man or single woman, a husband and wife with no children, or an older woman or man who lives alone. American families are from many different ethnic backgrounds including Asian American and African-America. Some families have more than one ethnicity within the family. The family you stay with may not speak English as a first language. However, they have been screened by our Home Stay Coordinator and have been found to speak English fluently and clearly.

Men’s and Women’s Roles in the Family
Many American women work outside of the home. A "two-income" family is common. In many U.S. homes, men and women share equal responsibility for cleaning the home, making the meals, managing money, and raising the children. Don’t be surprised if your host father cooks your evening meal.

In American Society men and women are seen as partners and equal.

Children
Not all American families have children. Many couples choose not to have children or to wait several years before they do. American children are raised to be independent. Children are expected to make their own breakfast and lunch, clean their rooms, and to help with household chores.

If you live with a host family that has children, you will not be expected to treat the children like your own children or to baby-sit them. It is a good idea to get to know the children and to spend time interacting. The children will probably want to ask you a lot of questions and may seem very excited or nervous around you. Be polite and friendly toward the children. If the children are not letting you study, politely tell your host that you need to spend some time away from the children.

Pets
Many American families own pets. Dogs and cats are very common American pets, these animal are considered part of the family and may be indoor or outdoor pets. Your family’s pets will not hurt you. Let your host know if you feel uncomfortable around their pets.

Housing
American families live in many different types of homes. Two common types of home are apartments and housed. Some hosts live in the city, while others live in the country. We have visited your host’s home and have found it to be safe and comfortable.

RESPECT YOUR HOST FAMILY

Don’t Make Your Host Worry

Tell your host family when:
You will not be home after school
You will be late for dinner
You will not be home for dinner (tell them in advance)
You will not be home for one or more nights; give them a phone number where you will be

If you do not tell your host family about your plans, they will worry and think that something has gone wrong. NEVER stay out all night unless you phone your host family first.

Keep Your Room Clean
Respect your host family’s home by keeping your bedroom and bathroom clean. Also, clean the living room and kitchen after you use it. Never leave a room cluttered with your belongings. You are responsible to clean up after yourself!

Chores
A chore is a job given to each family member to maintain the home. Since you are part of the family, you might be asked to do a chore (help wash the dishes after a meal, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the carpets). Please do these chores with a cheerful attitude. Also you are expected to keep your own room clean and tidy. Your may also be expected to wash and dry you own clothes.

Telephone
Most hosts do not allow students to make long-distance phone calls using their telephone line. You will need to use a credit card, or phone card. Ask your host family about their phone rules including: proper times to receive telephone calls (Americans usually consider it rude for people to call before 8:00 AM and after 9:30 PM), and how long you may talk with your friends on the phone.

Food
You are not a guest – you are one of the family. Please make sure that you know your host family’s kitchen rules: what foods can be eaten for snacks, what foods are used for main meals, and how to wash the dishes.

Tell your host family if there is a certain food that you cannot eat or do not like to eat.

COMMUNICATION

Practice Your English
One of the reasons you have chosen to live with an American family is to practice your English. Don’t spend all of your time with friends from your own country. Spend time speaking with your host family and you English will improve quickly.

Try To Understand
If you don’t understand what someone says to you, ask the person to say it again more slowly. Don’t be shy or embarrassed. Keep trying to understand, because it may be something important that you need to know. If you say, "I understand", when you really don’t understand, it may cause problems. If you don’t understand, say "I’m sorry, I don’t understand".

What Does That Mean?
When someone does or says something that surprises you ask your host, "What does that mean?" Ask questions about everything! Your will lean quickly this way.

Misunderstanding
If you don’t like something your host family does, talk to them about it. You may find out that you misunderstood them. Some things that are rude in your country may be okay in America.

Problems?
If you have a problem with your host family, talk to your host about it. They cannot help you if you don’t talk to them. If your problem is too hard to explain in English, talk to the Housing Advisor, she will help you interpret what needs to be said.

"Yes" Means Yes, but It’s Okay To Say "No"
In America when you say, "Yes", it does not mean "perhaps" or "maybe". "Yes" means yes. You may be invited to eat with an American or visit their home. If you say, "Yes, I’ll come," you will be expected to be there. However, in America saying "No" is not considered rude. Polite ways to say "No" are: "No, I’m sorry," "No, thank you," or "No, maybe another time."

USING THE BATHROOM

Family Schedule
Be aware of when your host family needs to use the bathroom, especially in the morning when they are getting read for school or work.

Taking Showers
If you don’t know how to work the shower or bathtub, ask your host to show you how to use it. Most Americans take showers in the morning, usually one shower each day. When you shower, remember to keep the curtain INSIDE the bathtub (or to keep the shower door closed) while the water is running. If you take a bath, you need to be IN the bathtub. Try not to splash water out onto the floor.

Take A Quick Shower
There is a shortage of water in the Northwest, and hot water is expensive. Families in the U.S. try not to waste water with long showers.

Using the Toilet
Do not flush anything down the toilet except toilet paper. Always flush toilet paper down the toilet. All other garbage should be placed in the wastebasket.

The Bathroom Door
It is customary to leave the bathroom door open when you leave the bathroom. If the bathroom is available the bathroom door will be open. If the bathroom door is closed, it is occupied.

CONSERVATION
Conservation mean only using what you need. Americans believe in conserving energy and resources. Newspaper, glass, aluminum, paper, and some plastic can be recycled - ask your host family. Also, when you leave a room, turn off the lights, the TV, the radio, and your heater.

Time
Americans are very conscious of time. Do not be late to an appointment. If you will be late, it is polite to call. If you can’t make an appointment, call.

Religion
Your host family may invite you to attend a church service or synagogue. It is polite to go with them one or two times. If you do not want to go it is okay to say, "No, thank you." If you do attend a religious meeting or service, make it a leaning experience. Find out all that you can about the religion of your host. If you with to attend religious services in your own religion, ask your host or a Language Institute staff person to give you information about these services.

Safety

Here are few tips on staying safe in your host’s home:
Ask for a key from your host.
Remember to keep the house door locked.
Carry information with you about your host in case you need to call them, their address, their full name, and phone number.
Do not carry large amounts of money with you.

Money
In the United States, if your host family invites you to go on an activity with them, they will usually pay for it. They will pay for food also. If there is some place you want to go that is expensive, your host family may ask you to pay your own way. If you don’t understand who should pay, please ask your host family. They will not be offended or embarrassed – it is common for students and hosts to be confused about who should pay.

IF YOU NEED HELP
The Language Institute staff and your housing advisor can help you if you feel uncomfortable or have any kind of problems in your home stay. Your advisor will listen to you, give you advice, and help you with your problems.

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