The Experience of Living with Host Parents as An International Student

In the American high school that I went to, one of the biggest “selling points” which makes my school stand out from the rest of American high schools would be the Hosting Program that it offers. Host parents were selected from school teachers, staff, or anyone who has some sort of affiliation with the school. As a matter of fact, even the school principal welcomed international students into his home. This aspect enables international students to familiarize themselves with the campus environment, life, and academics better because of their host parents’ connections and influence. At the same time, having American host parents not only granted me opportunities to practice my English, but also introduced me to American culture very thoroughly. 

To begin with, having host parents who were affiliated with the school gave me opportunities to get to know more teachers, and be more involved with campus life which in general gave me a more fun campus experience that I could have ever imagined. For example, even before I first started at the school, I already knew a lot of the school teachers because my host parents had introduced me to them at parties, church gatherings, and some other occasions. This really relieved my nervousness as a new international student who just came to a new country by herself. For instance, my Bible teacher was my host parents’ best friend who I had already met 7 times before actually taking his class. Therefore, he teased me a ton in class and I became very active and involved in class just because he was a teacher I knew personally. Having host parents who had to attend to school events regularly, I was reasonably invited to attend as well. If domestic students had to be at school 5 days a week, then I would say I was at school 6 days a week. This wasn’t torture for me though, I really enjoyed being involved.

Moreover, my American host parents played a huge part in my language growth. It is kind of funny that I still remember the first phrase they ever corrected me was “ride a roller coaster” instead of “play a roller coaster”. Also, being able to hear English at school and home-settings had unlocked plenty of vocabulary for me. It became living with English rather than simply using English. I would constantly imitate my host parents’ tone of speaking, and choice of words. If you saw a Chinese girl who was trying so hard to practice her English, it would be me, so please don’t make fun of her. At that time, I would just talk to myself in English whenever I had the chance. Eventually, I realized that I started dreaming in English and I really hoped this was the indication of my fluency in English rather than my insanity. 

Last but not least, what’s a better way to learn about American culture than living with American host parents? Going to a Christian church every Sunday gave me a glimpse of what religion and faith looked like; watching Super Bowl at a party with fans taught me how passionate Americans are about sports (especially football); having sleepover parties with my American friends gave me first hand experience of American teenage life; and watching how my host parents interacted with their children enlightened me of different education beliefs. So many differences and so many possibilities. These experiences shaped me as a person and really taught me diversity. People and cultures are different, so embrace all kinds of differences.

Having American host parents who looked after me and regarded me as part of their family had been one of the best memories I ever had in the U.S. The things they have taught me and the love they have given me will be with me for the rest of my life.