HOST FAMILY

A homestay is a very special opportunity to experience American life firsthand.
Some of the advantages of living with a host family include the opportunity to see life in the U.S. from "the inside", and to start a friendship with the family that may last for many years. You will also have the support of an American host, who can provide a safe place in which to begin your studies and get to know some of the culture and the city.

On the practical side, you usually only pay one month at a time, which gives you flexibility
if you choose to move to a different location. You will be met at the airport and taken to your host family by the host family agency. Your contract is month to month so you can choose to stay long term or leave after 1-2 months.When you live with a host family, you will have your own bedroom with a desk at which to study.

Seattle Central recommends choosing a host family for the first month or two (or longer!)
in Seattle. At some point, once you are familiar with daily life in the city, you can make an educated choice (both in terms of price and location) when looking for an apartment,
if you would like to.

Tips for Host Families:

• Apply early for a host family. Seattle Central recommends that you contact an agency at least 6 – 8 weeks before you will begin classes.
• Give the agency as much information as possible. The host family agency usually will try to match you with a family where you will be happy, and will consider things like smoking, strong religious preferences, whether or not you like children or pets, and other important issues.
• Be flexible and ready for something different! Living with a host family is not just a housing option, but a cultural experience!
• Give the agency your airport arrival information as early as possible.

The Agencies

Following are host family agencies working with Seattle Central:

Intercultural Homestays, Inc.
(Not accepting any new homestay applications for Fall, 2008)
PO Box 27184
Seattle, WA 98125-1584
Tel: (206) 367-5332
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-340-9088
Fax: (206) 483-8690
E-mail: ihincusa@aol.com
Web site: www.ihincusa.com

USA International Development, Inc.
9614 NE 201st
Bothell, WA 98011
Tel: (425) 483-5974
Fax: (425) 485-1891
E-mail: info@ushomestay.com
Web site: www.ushomestay.com

ABODE
(Not accepting any new homestay applications for Fall, 2008)
20126 Ballinger Way NE, #84
Shoreline, WA 98155
Tel: (206) 527-8654
Fax: (206) 524-7780
E-mail: info@abodehomestay.com
Web site: www.abodehomestay.com

THE PLACE - SEATTLE
P.O. Box 20731
Seattle, WA 98102
Tel: (206) 351-0121
Fax: (206) 361-7172
E-mail: mia@theplaceseattle.com
Web site: www.theplaceseattle.com

Cost of a Host Family

Host family agencies have different options, depending on the kind of living situation you are looking for the cost of a host family ranges from $200 to $250 for the placement fee
(this includes the cost of an airport pickup) and $470 to $600 a month for full room and board.