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Host Family Frequently Asked Questions

What are the house requirements to be a Homestay Family?

In addition to the desire to share your home and your life with another person, there are some requirements:

  • Must be under 15 minute walk to a bus stop from your home
  • Must be under a 60-minute trip to campus by bus (includes walking to/from bus stops, and transfer time)
  • Each student needs to have a private room (at least 81 square feet) with a window, a bed, linen, dresser, closet, desk, light, and a door that can be locked
  • All residents over age 18 must complete a background check
  • It is preferred that your family is fluent in English and that English is spoken (on TV and radio too) in the home
  • Must have 3 meals a day available to the student – 5 cooked meals a week

Is there a limit to the number of students any one family can have?

Our goal is to get each host family at least one student. Each student must have their own space as listed in the requirements above. As each family situation is different, if there are specific concerns, these can be discussed with the Homestay Coordinator on a case-by-case basis.

What about transportation?

Each homestay family must be under 15 minutes of walking to the bus stop and 60 minutes by bus to the college (including transfers and walking to the bus stop). If your family does not fall into either of these categories, it does not mean that you can not be considered. A student may be placed in your home if they have their own transportation or if the student approves of the accommodations after a site visit. 

What about the use of equipment in the house?

In addition to bathroom and eating facilities, each student needs to have access to laundry and the telephone for local calls and internet. It is not recommended to let a student use a business computer. Use of the family computer is optional. It would be great if there was a “student computer” available.  

What if my student wishes to make long distance calls?

If the student would like to use your family's phone, they are expected to pay for all long-distance calls they make. Edmonds College does not recommend that the student make long-distance calls on the family phone bill. Exception: Student should call their family on arrival night.

What do I do about meal times?

Each household is different. Communicate with your student about when meals are served. You are expected to provide food for three meals per day. The evening meal should be prepared at least five nights a week. If you will not be home at mealtime, let your student know. If the student will not be home, they should let you know. In either case, have food available for the student to eat when they arrive home.

What is the process to become a Host Family?

  • Send an e-mail with: name, address, phone number, and bus number (from home to school), then we will send a letter with information about our next orientation.
  • Take part in the Homestay Orientation. At the orientation, you will learn more about the process of becoming a host family, stipend procedures, program guidelines, and how to solve cultural issues and miscommunications that might come up.
  • Have your home visited by a housing staff member
  • Fill out all paperwork and return it to the staff member at the home visit
  • Pay $60 at home visit (one time fee for applying)
  • Once we have all paper work in, backgrounds finished, and all looks good to host, we will call about possible placements.

How do student arrivals work?

Most students arrive on set dates for each quarter. These dates are what we call our "arrival dates." You can find our arrival dates for each quarter on our Important Dates page. If a student has opted to use our airport pick-up service, we will pick the student up from the airport and bring them to the Housing Office or directly to your home, depending on the time and date that they arrive. If the student is arriving on their own, they will either come to the Housing Office or directly to your home. In any situation, we will work with you before the student's arrival to let you know when you can expect to meet your new student. If you receive calls or emails about a student's arrival (from student or their family), please notify the Housing Office.

Host Families Picking Up Students From Housing Office

  • Look for the day and block of time (usually 3 hours) of your student's arrival in your letter from the Housing Office. Please keep the whole day free if your student experiences travel delays!
  • We will call you as soon as we know your student is on their way from the airport and let you know approximately when to pick your student up at the Housing Office. Please arrive early.
  • First impressions are important! Be ready to answer your phone and be on time. 
  • Please call the Housing Office before the arrival dates if you are still waiting to receive an arrival time via letter - your student may be delayed.
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