EIL UK offer the Independent Homestay programmes in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Spain, Turkey and USA. (Generally most countries will only accept 18 years and above, but some countries will accept slightly younger participants.)

EIL pioneered the homestay concept over 75 years ago.  Today, living with a family in another country is universally accepted as one of the best ways to meet new people and to appreciate and understand the cultural diversity that makes up our world. 

Host families open up their homes and hearts to people who wish to immerse themselves in another culture, share in the everyday life of a family and feel a part of a community. They provide meals, accommodation and friendship. They will introduce you to their community and help you learn about their country, their culture, their language, and their local customs. 

Your Host Family

Your family may be a couple with or without children, a single parent, or a single person interested in other cultures. EIL offices around the world maintain networks of local coordinators who select, screen, and monitor host families and who will help to make a placement that is appropriate for you.  Within each family you will experience a different dynamic, but all families are motivated by the idea of making cross-cultural friendships.

Travel

Since you will travel independently you are not bound by the schedule of any group.  You pick the start date and the length of your programme, which can be from one to four weeks,and occasionally longer by agreement.  There will also be time for you to explore on your own and make this a truly memorable and personalized travel experience.

What is included in the price - and what isn't.

For 2010 Prices for Independent Homestay Placement click here

Unless otherwise noted, the fee for your Independent Homestay Programme will include: family accommodation, 3 meals per day, 24 hour emergency help, and pre-departure orientation materials. Not included in the fee are air travel, visas, insurance, in country transportation, phone calls or internet access, activities or entertainment, souvenirs, and personal spending money. Fees also cover the administrative costs of the programme including any payment to the local EIL representative and in some cases a small stipend to the host family itself to cover food, linens and the like. Costs vary depending on the country you select and the number of weeks.

Planning your programme.

You need to make arrangements well in advance - ideally applying 8 weeks before your scheduled departure. We will do our best to accommodate requests with shorter lead-times. They will be handled on a case by case basis but cannot be guaranteed.  Prior to departure you will be notified of the host family name and address so that you can get in touch with them and make your final transportation arrangements to their town.

If you are interested in applying for an Independent Homestay Placement please contact a.pritchard@eiluk.org to discuss your requirements.

Terms and Conditions of IHP Programme

To apply for the IHP programme download and complete the IHP Application Form.