by Cristine Sphan

Most of the time, a homestay In Morocco involves a student from another country who is in need of a stable and safe home to complete their studies while going to school somewhere in your city. Often the homestay hosts are mature couples with young or grown children and have an additional room to spare.

It could be a university or high school student, or even a young worker that is the homestay, and depending on their needs, it could be a few months or years that they stay.

There are some things to keep in mind when you are considering becoming a homestay host and letting out a room in your home to someone you don't know. At times, the cost of hosting a student may be more than the host had considered, as there are unseen costs that can arise during the homestay. 

Looking at Challenges that Could Arise

Clear communication is essential. This will always be your number one challenge depending on your students grasp of the language they are coming to learn. Using basic language and smaller words will make communication easier, avoid slang and more complicated phrases. Often during the first week it is a good idea to communicate via written words as most ESL students are proficient at writing and reading but often find it difficult to string a sentence verbally.

Hosts and students should have some protection from understood guidelines set out in this situation. Set some rules in place during the interview process with the student and/or their guardian, so that everyone is on the same page. When communication is extremely difficult because of language issues, have an interpreter make sure
both sides understand. 

Determining the consequences is as equally vital as defining the rules. When a situation occurs where a student is clearly high on drugs, what are the consequences? If these are communicated to both the homestay and also their legal guardian and/or parent then, in the event they are broken, you are afforded more leverage to remove them from your residence.

Do you Value Privacy?

Hosting a student can often mean that you will loose some level of privacy. The student may want to practice their English skills with you, and you need to be prepared for this. You may also need to compromise when you want guests or dates over or having a party, and even on what TV programs that you watch in the living room. To make these situations go more smoothly, you could invite the student to participate.

If you were planning on going on vacation or just getting out of town for the weekend you may have a bit of a dilemma. Most homestays require you to prepare meals for the students and be available during meal times to have the student practice their English. You could ask the student to go with you, or look for other options. 

Other things are needed to be thought through also. Since you are investing a certain amount of time cooking, cleaning and conversing with the homestay, your time with your children may be reduced. This can be counteracted by including the student with the activities that you plan with your family.