Study Abroad Housing Help

[SarahElizabeth]

Originally Posted by Songtan Sally Smoking, pets, freedom to come and go, access to food between meals (perhaps having your own shelf in the fridge or cupboard?), privacy (will you be sharing a room or not?). For my exchange students, they had their own private room and complete access to everything in the house. Some host families are not as open.

Mine wasn't...

Location in regards to public transportation, and the location of your hosts' house in the city - do you want something right in the city or in the suburbs? My family was a good ways outside the city and while it was great because it was so quiet, after the buses stopped I either had to take a taxi or walk all that way.

Smoking and pets are both good ones. Make sure your family isn't vegetarian if you eat meat, and vice versa.

Are you concerned with the language? I don't know how comfortable you are with Italian. You could request that at least one person in the house be able to communicate in English - I don't know if that's a reasonable request though... My family didn't speak a word of English - I learned a ton, because I had to stick with French whenever I was home but obviously it presented some challenges.

I'm so jealous, Vive!! You'll have the absolute BEST time ever!

[Vive]

Originally Posted by SarahElizabeth Mine wasn't... Location in regards to public transportation, and the location of your hosts' house in the city - do you want something right in the city or in the suburbs? My family was a good ways outside the city and while it was great because it was so quiet, after the buses stopped I either had to take a taxi or walk all that way. Smoking and pets are both good ones. Make sure your family isn't vegetarian if you eat meat, and vice versa. Are you concerned with the language? I don't know how comfortable you are with Italian. You could request that at least one person in the house be able to communicate in English - I don't know if that's a reasonable request though... My family didn't speak a word of English - I learned a ton, because I had to stick with French whenever I was home but obviously it presented some challenges. I'm so jealous, Vive!! You'll have the absolute BEST time ever!

Thanks Sarah! I am working on my Italian... so we'll see how that goes
Do you think requesting living in the city over suburbs would be good?

[miamoa2002]

Originally Posted by Vive Thanks Sarah! I am working on my Italian... so we'll see how that goes Do you think requesting living in the city over suburbs would be good?

Do not put that you want a family that speaks english, to not have that forces you to learn italian quicker.

[SarahElizabeth]

Originally Posted by Vive Thanks Sarah! I am working on my Italian... so we'll see how that goes Do you think requesting living in the city over suburbs would be good?

If I was doing it all over again, I'd probably request the city. More/easier access to things. But it's really up to you! If you think you're more likely to spend time at the house, then living in the suburbs would be great!

Originally Posted by miamoa2002 Do not put that you want a family that speaks english, to not have that forces you to learn italian quicker.

I didn't mean a real English-speaking family. I just meant it could be helpful to have someone in the family with at least a basic understanding of English - just for those times when you 100% don't know what's going on.