Why choose a homestay?

‘Life-changing’. ‘Character-building’. ‘Highly memorable’. These are just some of the words used to describe our homestay experiences.

Our Homestay Experience

Let’s face it, the thought of staying in someone else’s home can be rather daunting – not least in a foreign country. That’s why all our homestay families are carefully picked for their suitability and for the unforgettable experience they provide.

With a warm family welcome and plenty of home-cooked meals, you’ll quickly feel at ease in your new surroundings. In fact, many of our students believe their homestay experience was THE highlight of their stay.

One of the many benefits of living with a family is that you’ll become fully immersed in their day-to-day life, gaining unique insights into the local community, its customs, routines, festivals and cuisine. You may even get the chance to learn a new language.

And, locals always know the very best places to visit! Whether it’s the warmest beach for swimming, the latest tapas restaurant, or a vibey music venue, you’ll get the inside scoop on many hidden gems that the tour guides just don’t mention.

We offer homestay accommodation in Ireland and Spain where our host families provide that home-away-from-home experience. We guarantee that the adventure of a lifetime awaits!

5 reasons why homestays ROCK!

Dive beneath the skin of another country by living, breathing, eating, drinking and sleeping as an honorary member of a homestay family.
Enrich your study abroad experience with the support, guidance and knowledge of your host family. Homestay accommodation is particularly ideal if you’re travelling alone.
Learn the lingo! Living with a local family, your grasp of their language will skyrocket. This is an awesome addition to any résumé.
Become more culturally aware by sharing your experiences, listening to those of others, and making an international network of lifelong friends and contacts.
Change for the better by building self-reliance, independence and confidence in your own abilities. Studying abroad is always transformative and aids personal development.

"My homestay was perfect. The family I was placed with were so incredibly kind and warm from the very beginning — they welcomed me into their home and treated me as one of their own and I am so grateful for their kindness. I grew very close to all of them and created friendships that will last a lifetime."

SamiArchitecture intern, on her homestay experience

"I really enjoyed my homestay, I lived in a nice house with very nice host parents that made me feel very comfortable. I never felt unsafe in my neighborhood, and was able to easily access the bus from my house. My host parents were very welcoming and was able to provide more than enough help with anything I needed during my stay. They fed my amazing meals and did my laundry for me. I was able to travel and see the city by myself and I had very good communication with my host parents so if I was coming home later at night, I would tell them and they were very understanding of my personal life as well. They were the best host parents I could have asked for."

LeahNDSU Intern, on her homestay experience

“One of my favourite things about my internship was staying in an Irish household and feeling so at home. They say studying and living abroad can change you: I feel changed and for the better. Another skill I learned in Ireland was how to make a grand cup of tea!”

Jose, International Education Intern, 2019University of New Mexico, USA

“Living in an Irish home, in essence, allowed me to play with and reinvent my own preconceived notions of what it means to be family. I hope to embrace and learn from living as part of a different culture and community. My host mother took such good care of us, it’s the small things like this that help me to thrive when living abroad.”

Dave, International Education Intern, 2019SIT Graduate Institute, USA

“Participating in a homestay is one of the easiest ways to absorb the new culture all around you and to really immerse yourself in it. If you are able to be a part of a homestay, it’s an opportunity you should definitely take.”

Kelsey, Agriculture Intern, 2018USA