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SKAGIT VALLEY A.C.E.

LIVING WITH AN AMERICAN HOST FAMILY

What will my American host family be like?

Your hosts may be a married couples, a single person or a senior citizen with many years of experience to share with you.
Your hosts may or nay not have children.
Your hosts may be wealthy, or may have an average income which requires them to live a more simple lifestyle.
Your hosts may live in a large house in the suburbs, a smaller house within the city, or in an apartment complex.
Your hosts will be descendants from one or many ethnic backgrounds: European, African, Asian, Hispanic. They are all American!
Your host family may or may not have pets. However, most American families have at least one clean pet in their household.
Your hosts may have 15 years of experience in hosting international students, or they may have no experience at all.

What should you do to get the most positive experience?

You should participate in family life. Since you and your host probably have different schedules, we encourage you to plan your free time around your host's schedule. For example, if your host goes to bed at 10:00 p.m., arrange your study time so that you can talk together earlier in the evening. Also, you can make an appointment to talk with your host or do something special with them. Remember that meal time and cleaning up afterwards is one of the best times to practice your English!
While it is customary in some cultures for the mother to prepare all the meals, it is more common in America that all family members help with the preparation, cooking and cleaning up of the evening meal. Your host family will be very pleased if you take the initiative to help with meals and clean up afterwards.
You should ask your family about their rules. Each family has different rules about shower times, telephone use, TV hours, etc. Please ask about house rules at the beginning of your stay.
You should inform your host when you will be coming home late or if you will not be home to eat dinner. Keep them informed about your plans so they do not worry about you.
You should keep your bedroom clean and do your own laundry.