Host Families
A Rare Opportunity to be Totally Involved in the Life & Culture of a US Family!
The most memorable part of the ECI Program is frequently the "Homestay Experience".
What better way to truly get to know the character and culture of the US than to spend time living with an American family? Your family will instantly welcome you, and very soon you will feel completely at home.
Our families truly embody the “homestay” philosophy – completely sharing their lives with you and helping you to learn about their culture.
For many students the homestay aspect of the program can be the most enjoyable and rewarding!
Who are the Immersion Host Families?
ECI has developed an extensive network of coordinators in the San Francisco Bay Area who are committed to finding families. Our coordinators do not work for a language school; rather, they work directly for ECI. The families do not host to earn money; rather, they hope to develop a lifelong friendship with you. They share with you their daily lives, culture, home & food. They will involve you as much as possible in family events and introduce you to friends & relatives.
Often, our families have teens of a similar age to you and are comprised mom, dad & children, but like families all over the world, single parent households, or couples without children are not uncommon.
How do we choose our Immersion Families?
During the application process you will write a personal letter with information about yourself, your family, ambitions, hobbies & interests. From these important details, our Host Family Coordinators will do their best to select the most appropriate match for you. They will take into account any of your specific requests and will try to match your interests with those of your Immersion Family.
How will you spend your time with your family?
During the evenings and weekends there will usually not be any organized group activity or get-together. The aim of these times is for you to fully immerse yourself in the language & culture of your family.
Sometimes your family may offer to take you on local excursions or to family parties, but more often than not, you will be living the daily life of the family, enjoying mealtimes, watching TV, going shopping with your host parents, or simply relaxing and enjoying getting to know your family.
Often there will be teenagers of a similar age in your host family, but your experience is also about connecting with every member of your family – the parents, younger children and even grandparents. This will help you to gain the most from your experience.
During your stay the chaperone team is on-call twenty-four hours per day to assist you in any way needed.
My host family was the best! Their house was so lovely and I spent all my spare time with them!
Lara M. (Student 2008, Spain)
My host family was fantastic - we talked a lot and I made a lot of progress in my English!
Christian V. (Student 2008, Germany)
My host family was so interested in knowing about my country and traditions and they explained their way of life and traditions to me. I did sport with my host brother, they took me to the movies and to the theater, I was like another child to them!
Arthur O. (Student 2008, France)