Travel Etiquette for Teenagers in Homestays

Before you let your teen set out for an adventure in the great wide world, you'll need to lay down some ground rules. Even if your teen is the most well-mannered and respectful person at home, she'll need to do some preparing before she moves into a homestay situation in another country. Help her prepare for the experience by discussing some basic elements of homestay etiquette.

  1. House Rules

    • Traveling to another country involves learning about customs and modes of life that are different than those back home. Before the trip, your teen should spend time learning about those customs so she'll be prepared for what's ahead. The homestay family should also lay out the house rules at the start of the experience so that your teen knows what to expect. She'll also need to pay attention to the unwritten rules of the house and do what she can to help. For example, if other children in the house are responsible for hauling water, she should do the same. If the members of the house make their beds every morning, she should, too.

    Money

    • Your teen's homestay family will generally not be expected to pay for things your teen will need during her trip. Ensure she has her own spending money in order to pay for things such as clothing, incidental snacks or sanitary items. Talk with your hosting agency to find out whether your teen will need to pay for meals at restaurants, and determine how much money she should take with her.

    Belongings

    • Your teen also needs to be respectful of the host family's space. That means keeping her own belongings neat and tidy and not flung all over the house, as she might do back home. Your hosting agency will likely provide you a list of things your teen should and should not take; follow this list carefully. In some countries, it might be disrespectful to take along expensive items such as electronics or expensive jewelry that can get stolen or just make others envious.

    Emergency Preparation

    • Safety is key while your teen is traveling. The house rules should cover some of that. For example, your teen should not go outside at night if that's one of the rules. Also make preparations for health or emergency situations. Your hosting agency will likely provide some type of traveler's health insurance, but if it doesn't, purchase some on your own. Also, set up a system for getting in touch in case of an emergency, such as phone or email contact. Before she departs, provide her with your emergency numbers at home and work, and those of a trusted friend or neighbor. Get the same from her host family. And while you might be dying to call her every day, it might not be the best idea. The hosting agency Greenheart Travel recommends that you only contact your child about twice a month in order to allow her to be independent and get the most from the cultural experience.

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