{"id":92,"date":"2010-07-07T15:54:00","date_gmt":"2010-07-07T15:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.abroad101.local\/?p=92"},"modified":"2017-05-24T08:29:46","modified_gmt":"2017-05-24T13:29:46","slug":"host-families-and-gifts-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.studyabroad101.com\/blog\/2010\/07\/host-families-and-gifts-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Host Families and Gifts From Home!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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While not all study abroad programs include a homestay, the experience of living with a local family can be a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. If you don\u2019t have this opportunity, it\u2019s always interesting to get to know the family of a new friend- a roommate or classmate from the nearby area who would be happy to have you come spend time in their home. You may find new perspective on your host country and make new friends in the process. <\/span><\/div>\n

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When packing for your trip, you may have come across packing lists<\/span> that recommend bringing several small gifts from America to give to families or friends when you visit their homes. This can be a fun opportunity to share part of your home with others if you choose wisely. If you\u2019re not buying more general gifts, keep in mind the ages and gender of your recipients as well as the area you\u2019ll be visiting. While you shouldn\u2019t overthink your gift choices, it is helpful to follow a few guidelines when picking out presents for a family you\u2019ve never met. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\nThink local!<\/span> Try to avoid things that are just \u201cAmerica\u201d themed and choose items that have a connection to your home. If your town or state is known for its forests, maybe you could bring a book of photos of the wildlife. If you\u2019re from Vermont, you could bring local syrup. Sports paraphernalia for your favorite team is one option, and music, games, and magazines can also be great cultural items. Mass-produced American knickknacks like a Statue of Liberty keychain can work for some occasions, but parents may appreciate a present that comes with deeper meaning than a mere souvenir. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cook it up! <\/span>A fantastic way to bond with family or friends is to pick your favorite home-cooked recipe (chocolate chip cookies, pancakes) and bring everything that you won\u2019t be able to buy in your new country. Then spend a night making an American meal for everyone. You\u2019ll be able to show off your skills in the kitchen (if you have any) AND indulge in some nostalgic grub. What a delicious way to share your culture!<\/span><\/p>\n

Pack a Snack. <\/span>Some people like to bring packaged snacks and packets of mixes from various foods like macaroni and cheese sauce, french onion dip, soup, etc. Again, these are fun gifts to enjoy with the family but are also comforting flavors from home. Don\u2019t forget that some food items that are familiar to us can be bizarre elsewhere. I brought my French host family beef jerky and they were convinced I was trying to feed them dog food!<\/span><\/p>\n

Take Toiletries! <\/span>In many countries, simple items like American shampoo, cologne or cosmetics can be very overpriced and coveted. These items are a good option as well and many can be purchased in travel-size bottles to save space and money. My roommate in Ghana actually turned out to be obsessed with American deodorant and designer body sprays. If you have contact with your future family, they may even have requests for American products. <\/span><\/p>\n

Last-Minute Mementos <\/span>If you forget to buy gifts before you go, you can always pick up something from the airport or even go shopping after you arrive in your new home. Gifts are a thoughtful gesture and don\u2019t need to come from America- a bottle of wine, chocolates or other delicacies can be picked up at a local store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully those tips will give you some ideas, so get creative! And don\u2019t forget- no matter what gifts you decide to bring, it\u2019s always great to take a picture album with photos of your friends, family, and interests back home. <\/span><\/p>\n

Good luck! <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While not all study abroad programs include a homestay, the experience of living with a local family can be a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. If you don\u2019t have this opportunity, it\u2019s always interesting to get to know the family of a new friend- a roommate or classmate from the nearby area […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_ppma_block_editor_authors":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[127,145,208],"ppma_author":[682],"class_list":["post-92","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-abroadadvice","tag-gifts","tag-host-family","tag-packing","author-pwpadmin"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t