Homestay
Homestay is a form of tourism and/or study abroad that allows visitors to rent rooms from local families. It is sometimes used by people who wish to improve their language skills and become familiar with the local lifestyle.
Some countries encourage homestay as a means of developing their tourism industry. Hosting a homestay participant allows the host family to earn an income. Students tend to arrange a homestay with their school or educational institution, but they can informally arrange one through social connections and private agencies that connect students with hosts families, usually for a nominal fee.
Types
Homestay opportunities range from a complete family experience to basic room rental. The goal of a homestay is for the student to be immersed in their host's culture. The student may participate in family activities, including dining out, going to amusement parks, camping, and traveling. The visiting student may be expected to pay a portion of the activity-related costs, such as tickets, parking, gas and travel expenses.