​​We feature many positive stories of homestay families and student guests enriching each other’s lives.

Many of our students and hosts derive great joy from being together and replicating the mutual care and support of real families. There are times, however, when there is a mismatch between the student and the homestay. This doesn’t happen often, but we need to understand some of the challenges that arise. Our students are minors or young adults, many of whom are living away from home for the first time. This is reflected in their level of maturity and living skills. Many students are communicating with us in their second language. This is complicated by different cultural norms. Students are also under immense pressure. They are completing challenging courses and dealing with the complexities of identity, in a new environment. When your student is displaying signs of stress, please let us know. We are here to help. We have a multilingual team and we are on call 24/7 for emergencies. Sometimes, it helps just to have someone speaking the student’s native language to show them empathy and give them guidance. Many of our homestay hosts are kind and patient. But sometimes, we need to do more to make sure the student and his or her homestay are the right fit for each other. Please always remember that, when there are problems, you are not alone. We are in this together, in the good and challenging times. Reach out to us when you need help. We will ​be ​there for you.