Anyways, here's my post on how to be the best host family you can ever be:
1. Understand tiredness. Yes your host kid is happy they are in a new country. They realllllyyy want to get exploring too. But they might have jet lag, which sucks. They don't want it, either. Change of environment=tiredness. If they keep on locking themselves in their room, leave them there for a while. Bring them food, maybe. Don't disturb them as much the first week. But still include them, or at least ask if they would like to join in something.
2. Introduce them to people. If they don't look like they want to talk, it might be because of a language barrier, not because they don't want to talk. Introduce them to your relatives, as well as people across ages. Do bonding activities. Sitting there and chatting isn't always the best. What are bonding activities? In Germany, I've seen: board games, soccer, hiking, watching a movie, bowling, shooting, gliding, community events, and volunteering. Literally anything under the sun. Scaffolding language really helps.
3. Got a problem? Talk nicely. And smile at the end. Let them know how your country does it (usually). Acknowledge the idea that the way they are doing it isn't wrong, but let them know if someone else sees it, they might think it's weird. Model how you want things done.
4. Got rules? Let them know. Put a list of your family's idiosyncrasies somewhere. You might not realize this is your "family thing" because you've been doing it all your life. But you'll figure it out soon enough, because the host student might "break" one of your norms.
5. Bring them with you. Please don't leave the exchange student alone in the house for too long. Unless they want to stay home, I'm sure they would like to explore and travel with you, too.
6. Be fair. Fair is not necessarily equal. Please do not compare your son/daughter with the exchange student :)
7. Check your motives. Why are you hosting an exchange student? I hope it's because you want to learn more about their country and invite someone into your home, not to learn their language or use them as a nanny!
8. Be observant. Sometimes exchange students don't want to say anything, but if you sense there is an issue, ask them about it. Sometimes, there isn't one. Sometimes, there really is.
9. Don't stereotype. I don't think I need to elaborate. Read about customs, though :)
10. Be patient and sympathetic. They aren't going to get everything right away. It'll take practice, just like everything else.
Note: Know when you can't host. Do you have the financial capabilities/ housing availability to host? Exchange students can never wait to learn more about their host families. Don't make them super disappointed (although some kids go with unrealistic expectations, which is not your fault).
Agreeing to host is a family thing. If any person in the family is really reluctant to host, I suggest not hosting.
And that's all I can think of right now! :)
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