How Living Like A Local Can Make Travel Easy And More Fun

Homestay abroad

What if you’re wanting to travel abroad right now? How comfortable do you feel traveling overseas when you see news headlines like these:

• CDC Puts Nordic Favorite And 2 Other Places On High-Risk List for COVID-19

• Eiffel Tower Is Reportedly Badly In Need Of Repairs

• Man Storms Cockpit On American Airlines Flight and Breaks Controls

• Perus’ Machu Picchu Threatened By Wildfire

• Thousands Of Flights Canceled

I could have doubled that list just from Sunday’s news on CNN.

Ideas To Help Ease Into The New World Of Travel

Here are a couple of ideas that might help you ease back into the travel spirit with fewer concerns about issues you could face before, during, and after your trip.

When you think of international travel, what comes to mind? Do you think of expensive hotels and tourist traps? Or do you imagine living with locals (host families), experiencing their culture first-hand, and making memories that will last a lifetime?

We think Airbnb is an amazing way to travel. Whether you’re avoiding the new COVID-19 variants or want to live like a local, Airbnb is a great place to start planning your travels. Even if you don’t use an Airbnb location in the end you’ll get some good ideas to use when planning your travels.

Airbnb Is Very Much Like Our Own Homestay Tutor Program

Another idea along the same vein as Airbnb is our own Homestay Tutor program, which is close to the Airbnb experience. For many travelers, this is a great way to stay safe, go easy on the travel budget, and live with the locals LIKE a local. And provide a much-needed life-changing experience to your host family. It's the homestay experience with the family built in!

What is the Homestay Tutor program? It's simple, really. You choose a location and then choose your travel dates. Let us know where you want to go, when and how long you can stay. Then we find a local host family who is interested in hosting you, and in exchange for room and board, you teach them conversational English. The language lessons don't need to include grammar or spelling. The host family is most interested in learning conversational English, and mostly from a native speaker. Not only does this give you a chance to live like a local and experience the culture first-hand, but it also provides a much-needed service to your hosts.

One of the best parts about the Homestay Tutor program is that it's very affordable. If you're looking for a safe, affordable, and life-changing way to travel the world, the Homestay Tutor program is the perfect option for you!

Vaccinations Are Still A Thing

Another important consideration is to make sure you’re vaccinated. Although rules have been relaxed in airports, on airlines, and in public transportation, the rules have rarely been relaxed in restaurants and larger venues like museums. There is no rule to being “boosted” but lots of lingering rules on vaccinations.

You can also be sure your host family (with The Cultural Exchange Project) is also vaccinated. We don’t accept host families that have not been vaccinated. If you’re still worried, just wear a mask when you go out. But when you’re with your host family in your new host community, you will be as safe as if you were staying in an Airbnb. Plus, the added immersion of having someone right there to teach you a new language, learn English from you, and share the local cuisine 3 times a day! Both you and the host family get the advantage of learning a new language from native speakers.

Just Volunteer To Tutor English 15 Hours Each Week

A host family will welcome you into their home, provide a private bedroom, and share 3 meals a day. What do you have to do in return? Just volunteer 15 hours each week to help them with their conversational English. They aren’t expecting to learn grammar or pass tests. You don’t need any teaching experience to be accepted into this program! Just speak English to your hosts as you normally would at home and teach them what it’s like to speak English conversationally.

Think of all the time you’ll have during the day, weekend and evenings if all you have to do is volunteer 15 hours per week? You’ll become a local in no time. Even the people in the coffee shop will start to recognize you and remember your “usual.” It’s a great feeling.

These types of travel experiences can open travel up to you now, especially if you worry about COVID, being safe, and being able to afford accommodation. Use the money you save to see the sights and become immersed in your new host country.

Still not convinced? Here are some more reasons why our homestay tutor program is an amazing way to travel:

• You'll get to know the country and its people in a way that you never would as a tourist.
• You'll have a built-in support system of people who can help you navigate your new surroundings.
• Your homestay family will be there to help you practice your language skills on a daily basis.

Applying for the Homestay Tutor Program is easy - just fill out our online application form and we will match you with a family based on your preferences (location, type of family, etc.). Once you have been matched with a family, you will be able to contact them directly to arrange your travel plans.