1. When should I take a bath or shower?  Please limit showers to no more than 15 minutes long.
   
   
   
2. Do I wash my own laundry?  If yes, please ask how to use the washer/dryer machines.
   
   
   
3. When may I use the phone (both for phone calls and internet use)?  How late is it okay to receive calls?  Make sure to use a prepaid calling card when making long-distance phone calls from your host family’s home.  A long-distance call is any call that does not have a “530” area code.
   
   
   
4. May I use the stereo, TV, VCR, DVD, family computer?  Ask how to use them and if they need to be turned off at a certain time.
   
   
   
5. May I use the oven and/or microwave?  Please make sure to ask your host family how to use them and what pots, pans and dishes are okay to cook with. 
   
   
   
6. May I invite friends over?  It is important to ask permission of your host family before you invite your friends over. 
   
   
   
7. Are there any special locks or alarms that I should know how to operate?  It is very important to make sure you lock the door when you leave your host family’s home. 
   
   
   
8. What items may I have for breakfast?  In most American families, each person will make their own breakfast.  Ask your family what is okay to eat for breakfast.  If you are on the 3-meal plan, ask your family what items you may pack for your lunch.  If you’ve never packed a lunch before, ask your family to show you how. 
   
   
   
9. What time does the family eat dinner?  Dinner is usually prepared by the entire family.   It is also very polite if you offer to help set the table and help to clear the table after dinner.
   
   

Ask if there are any other family rules you should know about.

American Customs

• Americans speak to one another very directly.
  
  
• American society is made up of immigrants from many different countries.  Each American family will have customs and traditions that reflect their family’s individual heritage.    Because of this there are many types of families in America and your family may be different than what you were expecting.
  
  
• Men and women in American households share equal responsibilities.  Women should be treated with the same respect, attention and consideration as shown to men.
  
  
• Some host families have a relaxed schedule, while other families are very busy.  Some families will have lots of time to sit down and talk with you and other families may be too busy to talk other than at dinnertime. 
  
  
• In the United States, it is okay to ask questions if there is something you don’t understand.  If your host family says something that you don’t understand, please ask them to repeat it or write it down.  Most homestay problems occur because of a miscommunication between students and host families.  Please talk with your host family if something is bothering you.
  
  
• Your host parents may be young or they may be retired.  They may have children or they may not.  Some American families are “single parent families” where there is only one parent in the household. 
  
  
• Your family will want to know about you, your family, and your home life in your country.  They will enjoy seeing photos of your family and friends.
  
  
• It is considered polite to ask your host parents about their work and their interests. Your host brothers and sisters will be pleased if you ask them about their friends, and the things that they like to do.
  
  
• Family members normally greet one another in the morning, such as “good morning”, and whenever they return home.  They will also say “goodnight” when going to bed.
  
  
• Use “please” when you need help with something, and “thank you” when your host family or anyone else shows you kindness. It is very polite to use these words.
  
  
• Your host family will need to know your day-to-day plans.  It is very polite to let them know if you will be coming home late at night or if you will be participating in an after-school activity and you will not be home when expected.  Please call home to tell them so that they will not worry about you.

Guidelines

• Though you are paying for room and board, remember that your host family is neither a hotel nor a dormitory; it is a private home.
  
  
• You are not expected to work for room and board; however, participation in daily home life is expected. 
  
  
• Always make sure your bed is made and keep your room and bathroom clean.
  
  
• Ask how to take care of your dirty laundry and how to use the washing machine and dryer (if your host family gives you permission to use them).
  
  
• Follow your host family’s rules (go over the “Living With a Host Family – Good Questions To Ask”, in this manual). 
  
  
• Clean up after yourself in the bathroom, kitchen and other areas of the house.
  
  
• Ask permission before inviting your friends to your home.
  
  
• Tell your family if you will not return home for dinner.
  
  
• Ask your family and friends not to call you after 10:00pm California time.
  
  
• Always use a pre-paid phone card when calling long distance.
  
  
• Ask permission before using your family’s equipment (stereo, computer and VCR, for example), and learn how to use them.
  
  
• Lock the house and close/lock your window when you are the last one to leave.
  
  
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room, or when you are going to sleep; energy is very expensive in California and your host family will appreciate it very much if you do this.
  
  
• Always look for ways to help your family --- they will love your willingness to be part of the family and appreciate that you are being considerate.
  
  
• Keep the shower curtain inside of the bathtub and keep water off of the bathroom floor.
  
  
• DO NOT USE YOUR HOST FAMILY’S COMPUTER, without first receiving their permission. 

Food

• Be open to experiencing new foods.  If you have trouble eating the food that your family cooks, be polite, but ask them if they could make a different type of food occasionally, that you would like to try.   
  
  
• Different families will serve different kinds of food.
  
  
• Americans often eat leftovers from a previous night’s dinner.  
   
• If you like to cook, ask your host family if you can prepare a traditional dish from your country to share with them.
  
  
• It is considered polite to offer to help set the table before dinner, or to help clean up after the meal.
  
  
• Many American families begin a meal by saying a prayer to bless the food.  You will not make a mistake if you wait to begin eating until one of your host parents begins to eat.
  
  
• A typical American breakfast may include: cereal, bagels, yogurt, coffee, milk and/or juice.  Most families do not have time in the morning to eat breakfast together.
  
  
• A typical American lunch may include: sandwich, chips, cookies, leftovers from dinner the night before, drink (soda, water, etc.), or other items.
  
  
• Ask what is ok for you to eat for a snack.  Remember that some foods may be planned for a future meal.
  
  
• Ask you host family before you use their oven or microwave.

California Laws

• The legal age for drinking alcohol is 21 in California.  Do not bring alcohol into your home without the permission of your host family.
  
  
• The legal age for smoking cigarettes is 18 in California.  Do not smoke inside your host family’s home unless they give you permission.
  
  
• In California, it is against the law for anyone to smoke inside a public building.  Also, when outside, smokers must smoke away from buildings so that other people cannot breathe in the smoke.
  
  
• Any form of drugs (except prescription medicine) is illegal.  You can be arrested for using drugs and may go to jail.