Will I Have Host Siblings While Studying Abroad?
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CIEE host families are a carefully selected group who are dedicated to sharing their culture and language with young students.
No matter their size or variety, a host family for international students provides a safe and supportive home-away-from-home. Before they are selected to host, they are thoroughly interviewed and vetted to ensure participant safety and well-being.
But as a young high school student getting ready to attend a new high school abroad, you’re likely curious about who you’ll be living with and if you’ll have host siblings around your same age with whom you can connect!
Below we share helpful information on what to expect when staying with a host family and the chances of having a host sibling.
What Is a Host Sibling?
As you may expect, host siblings are the children of the host parents or primary adults of the family you’re staying with. They may be young children, school-aged, or young adults. However, your host family may not have host siblings at all. Some hosts may be only a couple; it just depends!
Reasons You May Want a Host Sibling
With that said, you may want a host sibling when studying abroad for a few reasons. Having a host sibling may mean that you have a person living in the house with you that:
- Is a similar age
- Shares the same interests
- Or attends the same school as you
Knowing that you’ll have a host sibling where you’re staying can be a comforting thought.
What If Your Host Family Doesn’t Have Siblings?
Not all host families will have host siblings, but you shouldn’t let that bring you down. It’s very important to focus on connecting with all host family members, no matter the type of family that you’re staying with.
Host families are selected for having members who are dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming environment and are interested in learning about your culture. You can still make meaningful relationships with your host family even if they don’t have host siblings for you to befriend.
You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to make friends with locals your age at school and with fellow study abroad participants.
How Are Host Families Chosen?
One common question high school study abroad participants have is how these homes are chosen. At CIEE, host families go through a thorough selection process.
When allowed by local law, host family members 18 years and older must have a background check done and are interviewed by CIEE staff to ensure they are a good fit to host. Additionally, every CIEE program has on-site staff in the host country to check in on host families and students throughout their stay.
Benefits of Staying with a Host Family
The host family experience is a rare chance for young adults to connect with locals and see firsthand how they live. Some of the valuable benefits of staying with a host family include:
- Language and/or cultural immersion
- A welcoming support system the moment you arrive
- Lasting friendships
- New intercultural skills and experiences
How to Live with a Host Family Abroad
There may be many benefits of staying with a host family abroad, but you’re probably a little nervous about what to expect and how to have a pleasant stay. It’s completely normal to wonder what it’ll be like to live with a host family in a new country. But with some preparation in advance, you’ll have a comfortable and life-changing experience.
Some of the best tips for staying with a host family to keep in mind are:
- Come with an open mind and expect cultural differences
- Make an effort to get to know your host family
- Say yes to excursions and family outings they invite you on
- Be respectful of their house and their rules
- Take part in household chores
- Try to speak with them in their local language
Broaden Your Horizons on a High School Semester Abroad Program
CIEE’s High School Abroad programs offer a rare opportunity for teenage students to get out and experience attending classes in a foreign country. As a high schooler abroad, you’ll gain invaluable skills like confidence and independence and return home an empowered young adult capable of taking on new challenges—all from stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a new culture abroad.
Learn more about CIEE’s High School Semester Abroad Programs and find the best destination for you.