Homestay
You will live with a local resident during your stay in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a multicultural country and homestay hosts are from a wide range of backgrounds. As each home in the U.S. is different, so are homes in Costa Rica. All hosts that have a contract with CRLA have been carefully screened and trained in how to make American students feel comfortable. Your host will eat breakfast and dinner with you and you will have a key to the house. Although you can come and go as you please, you should be considerate and call your host to let them know if you won’t be home for dinner or if you plan to go out for the evening. They will worry about your welfare and you need to be considerate.
If there is anything you don’t understand, you should ask your homestay host. They are more than happy to answer your questions. Be polite but honest about what you like and don’t like. They expect you to be honest with them, but complaining about things that are part of the Costa Rican experience (e.g., that there are lots of bugs or that gallo pinto is served with every meal) would be insulting.
Much of the plumbing in Costa Rica is not terrific. For this reason, you will often see a trash can with a lid next to the toilet to put your used toilet paper in. While it may seem gross at first, it’s better to do this than back up the sewage system. If your host does not specifically mention it, do it anyway. Most household have electric water heaters in their showers instead of hot water tanks. Your host will show you how to turn on the hot water. You will want to take quick showers as the warm water tends to run out quickly. Additionally, most Costa Rican homes do not have carpeting. Due to the climate, carpet would often be damp and attract a lot of bugs.
Homestays can be a rewarding as well as challenging experience. Using common courtesy with your host will go a long way in establishing a comfortable and friendly atmosphere at home. Your host will treat you as part of their family, not as a guest — you are not staying in a hotel and should behave accordingly. If you aren’t coming home for a meal or will be out late, you should let your host know so they aren’t waiting for you. Show initiative in helping around the house and remember that please and thank you will go a long way.
Overnight guests are not permitted in program housing.
All hosts are not alike and you will only become frustrated if you constantly compare your experience with those of other program participants. Remember that you must adapt to your host, not the other way around. Part of the purpose of your homestay is to see how a typical Costa Rican family lives, and you will miss out on that if they change in order to accommodate you. It is important to take every opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of your host country. As with any homestay, you may experience some minor irritations. You should try to step back and consider that you are learning about cultural differences rather than getting angry about the situation.
Homestay host gift ideas
Bringing a small gift for your homestay host is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. Since you may not know many details about your host until you arrive, think about giving a neutral gift or one that everyone in the household can enjoy. Large, expensive or elaborate gifts are not necessary. It’s the gesture of thanks that your host will appreciate.
- U.S., home state/town or Mizzou themed items: hat, magnet, deck of playing cards, picture book, mug, artwork, key chain
- Edible items: popcorn, chocolate/candy, peanut butter, dried fruit
- Game to teach, play and leave with your host