Daily contact with your Spanish family will be one of the most important parts of your immersion in the language and culture. Here are some tips for a good relationship, some courtesy reminders, and some expectations you should hold.

Tips:

• Talk to your family members from the very beginning. Get to know their dynamics, their likes and dislikes, and their ways of doing things.
• Pay attention to what they say and if you don’t understand something, ask them to repeat. They are used to non-native speakers.
• Avoid comparing your own host family with those of your peers. Each family is different, just like in the U.S.
• Take advantage of the opportunity to become part of your host family. They’re hoping you will.  

Courtesies for living with a host family:

• Turn lights off when you are not using them. Electricity in Spain is very expensive.
• Take short-ish showers. Water is also expensive and Spain often suffers from drought.
• Help your family out by separating your laundry into colors and whites.
• Try any dish at least once. If you don’t like it, tell your family, otherwise they will keep preparing it for you. If you do like it, tell your family! They’ll be very glad to fix it for you again.
• Work out a plan with the family to take turns showering. Houses are typically smaller than in the States and may only have one bathroom.
• Let your host mom know if you plan to miss a meal
• Your family will clean your room. If you prefer not to have your things handled, let them know and clean it yourself.
• Ask permission if you want your friends to visit you. Spaniards don’t typically invite friends into their homes. They socialize outside of the home.
• Wear your slippers around the house. Spaniards don’t generally go barefoot indoors.
• No alcohol will be permitted in hotel rooms on group trips, on the bus or in your host homes unless offered by your family.

What you may expect of a host family:

• That the family will not house other English-speaking students
• That the family will provide you with a private room
• That no one in the family will smoke indoors if you asked for a non-smoking family
• That the family will meet any dietary needs you specified on your housing form
• That there will be internet service available 24/7

If any problems arise, inform the on-site Director. Most often, problems are caused by a misunderstanding that can be solved easily by talking and explaining. In rare instances, a change may be made in your accommodations. Changes may only be made with the permission of the program director. All accommodations must be properly approved.