These terms have been created to ensure reciprocal respect between students and hosts, promoting an end-to-end positive experience for both parties.
Before You Arrive
As a first step, both the student and the host will be filling out a survey in order for optimal matching based on preferences and interests. After you are matched, we strongly recommend a video call for both parties to meet, before final confirmations and securing payments. During this time, hosts should outline any ‘rules’ for their household and send them via email following the call.
At Least 2 weeks before your arrival, we recommend students to send their hosts their flight information (flight number, arrival time).
During Your Stay - Students
- Be respectful with noise - no loud music, and be conscientious if it is late at night
- Share the common space fairly
- Maintain an agreed upon level of cleanliness (in your personal room and common spaces). Host and student to set expectations in advance.
- Figure out the laundry situation, students if you plan to use it more often than once a week, notify the host in advance
- Eating outside the kitchen/dining area: check with hosts on what is ok
- Don’t hang up anything on the walls of your room
- Get a run through of the kitchen and bathroom or any other shared areas and where you can put your personal items
- No visitors at any time unless your host approves it in advance No smoking inside unless host allows it
- Be conscientious of electricity use - if you are leaving, turn off the lights
- If you lose the keys, the lock may need to be replaced and this will be your financial responsibility
- Any other damage upon your departure will be taken out of your security deposit based on hosts assessment of damages
- If you wish to extend your stay, you must work with CultureAbroad Housing to do so
During Your Stay - Hosts
- Be welcoming upon arrival and help with initial logistics if help is needed (i.e. local grocery store, customs, get set up with transportation, give a tour of the local neighborhood)
- Share any rules/ways of living boundaries ahead of time with the student
- Take into account the student’s allergies or any medical conditions/beliefs/rituals
- Respect the student’s privacy and routine
- If you wish for the student to not access any common areas (beyond bathroom and kitchen) you must notify the student in advance when sharing rules
- Once the student arrives, have a detailed tour of your home and where the student can put their things in common areas (bathroom, kitchen)
- Provide linens and towels for the student, but the student will wash these themselves
- Outline emergency information (in case of emergency what to do, i.e. fire), including sharing an emergency contact in case you are not home and they need help with something
- Provide a full set of keys to the student