My name is Natasha, and I am a student at the University of Montfort. During the last two months, I have been living abroad in France, a trip that has pushed me far beyond my comfort zone as introverted. I have had the opportunity to work with a company that collaborates with more than 50 host families, which allows me to organize a French student per week. Initially, the idea of interacting with new people made me nervous, but I hugged this unique challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Looking back, I’m slippery, I did it, I don’t regret it.
Experience has been too positive, inspiring me to explore how others feel in different regions about organizing French students. My curiosity led me to conduct an interview with Eileen and her husband who live in Normandy in the Moto department.
Why do students need to be housed?
While many might think that accommodating a student is about helping them improve their linguistic skills, the benefits go far beyond that. Accommodation is an experience that can really transform both the student and the host family. Here’s why:
Language improvement
Living with a British host family in France is the best way for the student to learn English. Of course, classrooms and textbooks are useful, but nothing better than using language in real -life situations every day. This type of immersion is a total game change. It is raw, authentic and completely different from anything that a classroom can sacrifice. Being surrounded by native speakers helps students collect the language much faster and more naturally.
Cultural immersion
Organizing France students is really exciting, especially when you see them immersed in British culture. When they stay with a host family, they get an internal vision of how our daily lives are really. They experience our routines, traditions and only know our first -hand local cuisine. But here is the thing: it’s not just about them learn from us. We learn about your culture, so it benefits from this experience!
Build connections and friendships
Organizing a student is not about sharing their home, it is about building connections that can last a lifetime. These students are not just guests; They often become an extended family. You will share stories, create memories and possible construction friendships that continue long after the accommodation period ends.
How would a student find a student?
Thinking about becoming a host? It is easy to start with Anglais in France. Simply visit your website and communicate with them. They will schedule a visit to your home to meet you and your space. From there, they will combine with a student who not only fits well with your home, but also share your interests!
Eileen’s experience and her husband
Eileen and her husband have the host of the legs for four years and love. They describe it as “fantastic” and enjoy learning about students and their hometown. The greatest benefit for them is “to meet new people, see students grow in trust and enjoy teaching those who want to learn.” The host has brought joy and enrichment to both students and the host family. Eileen’s feedback was very positive. First I was surprised to hear that French students would choose to go to a family home experience in France, but being in France I am now obtaining why this type of language immersion is valuable for both parties.
Icebreaker
When I had my first student I wasn’t sure where to start, but I knew that creating a cozy atmosphere and making them feel comfortable were crucial. We would start meeting and asking questions to break the ice. We talked about our favorite hobbies and things, which led to discussions about our shared interests. I quickly joined my first student about our mutual love for hunger games. With another student, we exchanged many photos of our hometown. I was interested in traveling and I was giving me recommendations of places to visit in France while I suggested places to visit in England. These Rompehielos worked well!
Eileen and her husband also make an additional effort for her student to feel at home by providing a “bright room and a private bathroom.” They also “try to find out what things like to eat the student, so they can feel at home,” ensuring a warm and cozy experience from day one. According to Eileen, the key to being a great host is to adapt to the students’ needs. Eileen says he ensures that the student obtains what he wants from the week, “to improve their confidence in English and help them access resources that improve their learning.” And, of course, it is crucial to keep them safe and happy!
Activities: kitchen, games and cultural exchange
The activities planned for the week are crucial to make the accommodation experience a success! For me, cooking together with the students was the prominent moment. The food occupies a special place in French culture, and soon I realized that the kitchen is really my heart. While we prepared different dishes, I saw that the student’s eyes light up curiously, with each ingredient introducing new questions and vocabulary. This was more than a simple kitchen session: it was an immersive experience in the core of French life. I was inspired to try new foods, including snails with garlic butter! Yes, you read it well: Escargot! At first I did not seem attractive to me, but to my surprise, they were delicious!
Another favorite activity was to play pethank, a game that was completely new to me as a British student! French students were eager to teach me the rules and techniques and became a wonderful cultural exchange. There was something beautifully French about it, standing in the field of petastic and throwing the metal balls even if my goals were far from perfect!
We also spent time playing card games, which was another revelation for me. I thought I knew one or two things about the card games, but the student introduced me to those I never played before, like Rummy and Speed. While we play, they also shared French music with me, which added another layer to cultural experience. There was something special in sitting, laughing at a card game while listening to French songs; I felt it was part of a movie scene.
Eileen and her husband also loves to involve their students in the kitchen if they are interested in trying English recipes. It is a fun way to join on a love shared by food. They also enjoy playing card games and a variety of board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and guess who together.
Exploring cultural events: local markets and treasures
Lost students really opened my eyes to new experiences that I could never have ventured in mine. Recently, we have been immersing in some incredible cultural events and traditions, including a visit to an animated French market.
Our night in the French market in Castelnau was really magical. The air was full of live music sounds, and the atmosphere was animated and full of energy. The positions overflowed with a variety of fresh products and unique local products, which led to conversations about French culture. Sampling of traditional delights along with the students and chatting with the locals cool us a richer understanding and appreciation of French cuisine.
But that is not for everyone and her husband has been exploring local treasures such as Mont Saint-Michel, Fougères and Mortain. These outputs add another layer of cultural exchange, which makes the accommodation trip even more enriching. Each trip offers new ideas and connections, which makes this experience even more rewarding!
Say goodbye
The most challenging part of this experience was undoubtedly saying goodbye to students. After spending so much time together and forming deep connections, it was difficult. Each farewell was quite emotional, but it comforts me to know that we had a great time and created lasting memories together.
As for Eileen and her husband, they always make sure they send their student with a positive note, with “affirmation of their improvements.” It is a warm farewell, or accompanied by a lot of homemade baked products to share with your family. And just after they leave, the support does not stop: Eeveen and her husband are just a phone call, ready to offer any necessary help if your student is “struggling with something in school/university.”
A growth trip and connections
Hosting Students has challenged me to be more open, communicative and adaptable. By sharing our daily lives, we have both obtained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultures of others. These shared experiences have an invaluable leg, teaching me not only more about ethers, but also allow me to grow in a way I never expected. Eileen and her husband felt exactly the same pointing out that “seeing students laugh when they win games and chat in English without even thinking about it” leaves a lasting impact on the subject. These moments of connection and growth are those that make the lodging trip in France so rewarding.
