HOMESTAY
Your host family will provide you with three meals per day during your stay in Granada. As mealtime is an important part of Spanish culture, host families take pride in preparing authentic, homemade meals that are a good representation of southern Spain's culinary tradition.
The main meal of the day in most Spanish households is lunch, known as la comida, which is a sit-down meal that most families eat together at home, taking their time to enjoy this important part of their day. Host families often invite their guests to join them in the cultural tradition of the sobremesa, lingering at the table after a meal while enjoying conversation and connection with one another. This is an invaluable part of the linguistic and cultural immersion experience, as it is not only a great chance to practice casual conversation, but also an opportunity to learn about the culture from their knowledgeable hosts.
Apart from meals, host families take care of laundry, cleaning, and other needs on a regular basis. Bed linens and bath towels are provided, and most host families have a bathroom designated for their guests that is not shared with other members of the family. As a homestay participant, you will receive your own set of keys to the home and therefore have freedom and autonomy while living with your host family.
Living with a host family is one of the most valuable aspects of this immersion experience. You will be fully integrated into a Spanish household, where you will live the culture of Spain on a day-to-day basis and improve your language skills.
Participants will live with Spanish families in the downtown area of Granada. Many host families live in apartments, called pisos, though some have free-standing homes. Host families are carefully chosen and vetted by our team to ensure the best possible living arrangement for each participant. Our host families have a great deal of experience hosting foreign students and are accommodating in navigating the language barrier. In most cases, two participants are housed with each family. Homestays may consist of a single señora (with or without children) or a traditional two-parent household.
Host families are welcoming and generous with their home, and invite guests to embrace their traditions and lifestyle. Many participants form close relationships with their host families and keep in touch well beyond their month-long stay.