Become a Host Family
Hosting International Students
Why Become a Host Family?
If you have a spare room in your home and are interested in hosting International students, you might just be the kind of family our school needs!
Hosting International students is a fantastic way to build relationships with adults and children from other countries. You'll have the opportunity to learn about each other's cultures while also earning a supplemental income. Plus, if you have younger children or teens, great friendships can develop between them and the students, with many even traveling to their students' countries to visit and meet their families!
Who Are Our Students?
Our young students are teenagers, mostly from Western Europe (Spain, France, Italy etc.) aged between 13 yrs and 18 yrs who either join our junior summer camp for 2-3 weeks between the end of June and mid-August, or come as part of a group during the winter & spring, typically for 7-10 days as part of educational trips organized by their school/high school in their home country. During the week, they spend the whole day with us, taking English classes in the mornings and then participating in afternoon activities around the city. They generally return to their host families in the early evening, around 6pm. Typically on Saturdays, they spend the whole day doing an activity with us, and Sundays are normally reserved as a time for them to spend with their host families. Please note that our families hosting teenagers are required to provide a daily breakfast, evening dinner and a packed lunch on 5 days per week.
We also welcome adults throughout the year – professionals looking to improve their English for work, university students taking a break from their studies, recent graduates, adults looking to improve their English for their own personal benefit, and more. The average age of these adult students is 30 years old and they usually come for 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer. Our adult students are also primarily from Western Europe, but we also have students from Asia, South America and other parts of the world.
Qualifications for Host Families:
To qualify as a host, you must:
Have a private bedroom(s) with 1 or 2 twin or double beds.
Offer breakfast, packed lunch and dinner. Nothing too fancy!
A tidy, clean and safe home
Live 45 minutes maximum from Downtown Brooklyn by public transportation
A willingness to interact with students when they are home so that they can practice their English
Responsibilities as a Host:
Besides providing a bedroom and the required meals, our students are here to improve their English and spending time with their host family in the evenings is a huge part of their experience. When they are staying with a family, it is expected that the students are treated as one-of-the family. Whenever possible, encourage your students to join in with your life and conversation.
What if There is an Emergency?
We have a 24 hour emergency number available for support with any important issues. Our emergency number is: 646-341-129
Compensation for Host Families:
Please get in touch with our housing coordinator, Carla Ambler, for further information on our current compensation for host families.
How to Apply:
Fill out our application form by clicking on the link provided below.
We kindly request potential hosts to upload images of their home, particularly the areas where students will have access, such as the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. This information aids us in screening families before proceeding to the final step.
The final step involves an in-person meeting, allowing us to ensure compatibility before placing students with a new host.
English Outdoors is committed to providing students with the best accommodation experience while they stay in New York to learn English with us!