Rules for Home Stay Students

Rules and Recommendations
for Home Stay Students

Most Russian host families are very accommodating. However, it is also important to know that respect is very important in Russian culture and that most hosts operate on budgets. You should not expect to use anything without first asking permission and possibly paying them for the use of the laundry detergent, extra food, or anything else. Following a few basic rules can help avoid conflicts and keep your home stay a pleasant experience.

Laundry services are not included in the cost of the home stay and you should be prepared to negotiate with your host family regarding the cost of service. Alternatively, you can hand-wash your clothes for free. Laundry services average 25 USD per month.

The home stay provides only those meals prearranged according to your contract. You are responsible for any other food. The home stay refrigerator is off-limits to you unless you have permission from the host family. You can purchase supplementary food for yourself but you should ask your host's permission to use the refrigerator and be careful not to "hog" space, or leave the refrigerator disorderly. Remember you are a guest and your host family's house is to be respected.

It is your responsibility to let your host family know when you need to eat breakfast and dinner so they can prepare accordingly. This includes if you will be late or if you will skip the meal altogether. This is especially important for meals they have agreed to provide for you.

You are responsible to let your host family know when you will return to the apartment. If you will stay at a friend's house for the evening, or if you will be out late to club, concert, party, etc. it is proper to let your host family know so they do not expect you. Many worry about the foreigners that stay with them.

Your home stay is not to be treated as a hotel. You should not invite guests home unless you have pre-arranged this with the host family. Your friends are not allowed to stay over unless you have discussed this with your host family and they have agreed. Be especially careful when inviting friends over around dinner time. It is rude not offer a guest food in Russian culture and this may create a large burden for them if they have not prepared and you have not given them added funds to cover the added expense.

Respect, respect, respect! As mentioned earlier you are a GUEST. You must be respectful of your host family's belongings and things. If you should damage something within their apartment you are expected to fix or replace it.

If you encounter problems within your home stay then you should first confront your host family and if things are still not resolved, then immediate inform SRAS of the situation. SRAS can usually move you to a new host family if things can't be resolved, but it is better for your Russian language practice and personal growth while abroad if you first attempt to resolve any issues on your own. If, for any reason, you ever feel you are in danger at your host family, you should inform SRAS immediately.

II. Recommendations for Those Choosing Home Stays

A home stay is the most exciting living option for Russian language students. While a home stay is generally the best part about being in Russia, there are some issues that can strain relations between host families and their foreign guests. Here are some hints to help you avoid some common pitfalls:

Many students have asked us what sorts of gifts they should bring a host family. We've listed some here.

Try to speak Russian exclusively if you are able. There's a chance that someone in your family may want to practice your native language with you. Don't feel obligated to spend a lot of time doing this, unless you want to. Even if someone speaks your native language, try to initiate conversations with them in Russian.

If you have any problems with your host family, or if you are simply uncomfortable with any aspect of your home stay experience, be sure to talk to contact your program organizers as soon as possible. It is very easy to move you to another host family. Don't make the mistake of waiting for any problems to fix themselves – be proactive.

Talk with your host family before making any long-distance phone calls from their phone. If you do make calls, have them find out how much it will cost, and reimburse your hosts immediately in rubles. Local calls are free. If you will get a local Internet connection and plan to be online, also be considerate and make sure your host understands that these dial-ups are not long-distance. The older generation may not understand the Internet concept at all. If at any time you need help explaining something to a host, contact your program organizers.

Be flexible about food but be sure to explain any dietary restrictions or likes/dislikes to your hosts. You will likely find much in the Russian diet that is quite foreign from your own but you need to be patient with this. It is part of the cultural experience. It is a nice gesture to prepare a meal for your host family, or to take them out to dinner, at least once during your visit. Vegetarians should expect to define exactly what is and is not acceptable to them.

Many students ask, “When is it appropriate to give gifts to teachers or my host family?” In general, wait until you have an established relationship. It will feel more normal then. When you give gifts early, you are both in an awkward position. Over the course of a semester you will have ample opportunity, from birthdays to International Women’s Day, to use up those gifts. If you would like to present a gift right away, bring small regional foodstuffs, (cheese, coffee, maple syrup, whatever your region is known for) these can make great conversation starters.

After you have arrived, you should make sure you know where you are living, how to get to and from school on public transport, your phone number, and how to get into your apartment. You should ask (if you are not immediately given) complete set of keys and instructions on how to use them. Don't accept an inconvenient arrangement.

Rules and Recommendationsfor Home Stay Students

Rules and Recommendations
for Home Stay Students