individual homestaysThe Experiment in International Living pioneered the homestay concept over 75 years ago. Today, living with a family in another country is universally accepted as one of the best ways to meet new people and to appreciate and understand the cultural diversity that makes up our world.
Host families open up their homes and hearts to people who wish to immerse themselves in another culture, share in the everyday life of a family and feel part of a community. They provide meals, accommodations and friendship as well as an introduction to their community, country, culture, language, and local customs.
The host family may be a couple with or without children, a single parent, or a single person interested in other cultures. EIL offices around the world maintain networks of local coordinators who select, screen, and monitor host families and provide assistance and information to insure a good match between family and participant. Within each family there is a different dynamic, but they are all motivated by the idea of making cross-cultural friendships.
Participants travel independently and are not bound by the schedule of any group. They pick the start date and the length: one, two, three, or four weeks. Participants will find ample time to explore on their own and make their homestay a truly memorable and personalized travel experience.
The fees for the Independent Homestay Program typically will include: family accommodation, 3 meals per day, 24-hour emergency help, and pre-departure orientation materials. Not included in the fee: air travel, visas, insurance, in country transportation, phone calls or internet access, activities or entertainment, souvenirs, and personal spending money. Fees also cover the administrative costs of the program including any payment to the local EIL representative and in some cases a small stipend to the host
family to cover food, linens and the like. Costs vary depending on the country that is
selected and the number of weeks.
Federation partners offer the Independent Homestay programs in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Japan, Nigeria, New Zealand and Turkey. For more information, contact Federation EIL's International Office.
UN Peace Messenger Organization: In 1989 The Experiment in International Living was designated as a Peace Messenger Organization by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar
Federation EIL is a member of WYSETC: The World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation
