HOMESTAY

Many students picture homestays as a house in the suburbs, but in fact it will most likely be an apartment in the city with a host family, the same distance to class or your internship as a shared apartment would be. A host family could be a married couple, it may be an older woman living on her own, or it may be a family with children. Most homestays are shared other students on the program, but in your housing preference form you should specify if you prefer to be with other participants or on your own in a homestay.

You should choose a homestay if:

• You want to live like a local. Students in homestays learn a lot about the local culture and lifestyle firsthand.
• You want to improve your Spanish. You will eat breakfast and dinner with your family everyday, so you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your language skills. Students in homestays normally see a much larger language skill improvement at the end of the program. You don’t need to speak any Spanish to begin in a homestay, but you will certainly be using it by the time you leave!
• You want to save money. Homestays provide a daily breakfast and dinner, and will do your laundry for you! This is included in the program, and has been a huge reason many students choose the homestay option.
• You want a home away from home! You will have your own set of keys, and you are free to come and go when you please without a curfew. Many students say the homestay feels “cozy” and report added support network (like someone to make you soup when you’re sick).

Check out this video for an additional student perspective on being in a homestay!

SHARED APARTMENT

This choice places you in a shared apartment in the city with 2-6 other program participants. You will be placed in a double room with another student unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available. Apartments are spread throughout the city in residential areas so you can expect a 45 minute commute to class or your internship.

You should choose this option if:

• You'd like to be around students. In the shared apartment you will be sharing the apartment with other participants of the program.
• You want a little bit more independence in exploring the city and the culture. We will have cultural activities and excursions for you to participate in, but a lot of the time you will be on your own to explore.
• You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will share the kitchen and be responsible for your own food, cooking and cleaning.
• Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you'll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.

RESIDENCE HALL

Most locals live with their parents while they go to university, so dormitories are rare, but there are a few set up to house international students or those that come from outside the city. A student residence normally means a double room, unless you indicate you would like a single room and there is one available, and then shared kitchen areas and common areas including study areas with other students.

You should choose this option if:

• You'd like to be around more students. Typically the residence halls are home to American students but also students from around Europe/Spain or from other countries.
• You want a little bit more independence in exploring the city and the culture. We will have cultural activities and excursions for you to participate in, but much of the time you will be on your own to explore.
• You like to do your own grocery shopping and cooking. You will share the kitchen and be responsible for your own food, cooking and cleaning.
• Improving your Spanish is not a main goal of yours. Of course there will still be chances to speak Spanish, but you'll need to make an additional effort to meet locals and practice.