ECI’s Homestay Programs in the U.S.
3-4 Week Programs in the San Francisco Bay Area
Immersion Program
Host Family Immersion has long been recognized as the best way to strengthen language skills and experience the way of life in a foreign country. Rather than traveling with a Group and participating in daily activities, ECI's Immersion programs offer serious students a chance to fully immerse themselves in American life. Their focus is to speak and learn entirely in English, while participating in a true cultural exchange.
ECI Immersion students range in age from 15 to 18 years old and typically have already studied English for 3-8 years. They come from France, Spain, Germany, Austria, and occassionally Italy and England! Immersion programs vary in length from two to four weeks.
Because ECI students on Immersion programs are here for a focused cultural experience, it is important that their Host Families be welcome to the experience of cultural exchange. Host families are asked to include their student in their daily lives; learning about American life can be as simple as going to the grocery store! Our Host Families often take their students to see the sights of the San Francisco Bay Area, occassionally on short trips to Napa or Lake Tahoe, and invite friends and family for dinners and get-togethers. Though there are no organized ECI activities, we often help Immersion students meet up with other Immersion students during their stay in California, and occassionally host an ECI get-together of our own!
High School Integration Program
Students shadow for several days in a local high school as part of their ECI program. During a High School Integration program, students spend nights and weekends with their host families. During the day they shadow at school or participate in a variety of activities and excursions planned in advance. These students usually come for a maximum of two weeks during in the spring. Students are typically 13-18 years of age and usually are from Austria.
Which program is right for our family?
Each family is of course different! For some families, hosting a student on a Group Program is perfect because the parents work during the day, and other families prefer the flexibility and more focused cultural exchange that our Immersion Programs offer. ECI staff meet with families individually to ensure the best possible hosting experience, and we welcome any questions.
What kind of student will be staying with our family?
ECI staff work closely with students and families to ensure the best possible match. We look at interests, language abilities, and personalities of our incoming students as well as the interests and make-up of our host families when matching, and families are asked about their preferences. Students are interviewed in Europe, and send an introductory letter and pictures to assist in the matching process. All of our students are serious individuals, curious about American life and focused on learning.
Ready to find out more about ECI's Host Family Experience?
Contact us at our main Berkeley office 510.845.2230 or fill out the Host Family Inquiry Form and we will contact you shortly!
