kybourbon

Living with families tends to be a crap shoot and I think many host families (except in America) are doing it for the money. It's odd that American students studying in another country pay a large amount to the host family each month (not directly, it comes out of the total fee), but hosts in America of foreign students get nothing at all. When DD spent six months in Madrid (about 8 years ago), her host got about $800 a month of the money we had paid for the semester.

annhig

ky - there are certainly families in the UK who take in foreign language students as paying lodgers. I'm surprised that this doesn't happen in the US too - where do foreign students live then? if they were in an apartment they'd have to pay, why not when they lodge with a family?

The fact is that by and large, the better off the family, the better the lodger's experience is likely to be. I was very lucky to spend a month with a german family when I was about 18 where the father was mayor of the town - I had a terrific time. They didn't have to take me in at all, but they and their friends made me very welcome all time I was there. My family also hosted a german girl for a term while I was at school and we tried to give her the best possible experience of living in an english family.

i am surprised that US families are expected to do this for free. €200/week is similar to what I think our landlady was paid for each of us.

tarquin

Certainly in the UK, foreign students pay to stay with local families, but a large part of the fee goes to the institution, not the family. I know because a friend of mine took in students until she discovered this fact. I doubt she actually made a profit at all because of the lavish meals she provided.

Annhig, if your group chooses Venice, the school I have researched houses students in a Palladian cloistered complex on Giudecca - tempting if only for the accommodation.

http://www.istitutovenezia.com/en/

annhig

tarquin - thanks for the link. Venice is a place that our teacher would very much like to go to as despite her italian origins, she's never been there, but she was worried it might be too expensive. I would be happy to return there too - it must be 5 years at least since I last went to Venice. I've sent her the link!

The other possibility is Florence, but a major problem there is the sheer proliferation of schools - how to pick a good one?

We too were aware that the school in Sorrento did not pass on all of the "accommodation fee" onto our hostess and she was keen to encourage us to stay with her privately if we went back there. I could see her point of course but nothing would induce me to sleep in that bed again!

kybourbon

>>>I'm surprised that this doesn't happen in the US too - where do foreign students live then?<<<

Foreign students like this (for short programs) or for high school semesters are placed with families. The families receive no money and are expected to provide all meals and outings. There are lots of programs that seek hosts, but all seem to have the same expectations.

***What do I have to pay for?

CCI exchange students come with their own spending money and are responsible for paying for their own activities and costs incurred for school functions. You will need to pay the extra, minimal costs, associated with housing another person, such as utility bills, increase in groceries, etc.***

***How much does hosting cost?
Your financial responsibility is quite minimal and mainly consists of room and board for your student, which includes 3 meals a day. Your student's natural parents will pay for all travel costs, program fees and health insurance. They will also provide your student with a monthly spending allowance used for school expenses, social activities, clothing, and other essentials. A $50 per month tax deduction can be claimed for each month you host.***

Perhaps it's some kind of tax law as I found this on one exchange site (may or may not be true).

***Due to U.S. Department of State regulations, host families are not paid but are rewarded with an experience of a lifetime.***

I had considered hosting a student at one point, but since I live in the country I decided it wouldn't be a very good living situation for someone in high school (no public transport and they aren't allowed to drive).

annhig

Foreign students like this (for short programs) or for high school semesters are placed with families. The families receive no money and are expected to provide all meals and outings. There are lots of programs that seek hosts, but all seem to have the same expectations>>

It's probably an indication of the comparative wealth of the US that they find enough people willing to do this.

Truffles

My mother has had foreign students, and she is paid to take them in - choice of half or full board. We're in Toronto...

annhig

Truffles - well, that's Canada for you!

kybourbon

Truffles (love the name) - I'm curious the going rate, if you don't mind sharing (since the CAN is close to the USD)?

Sorry, annhig, for the hijack and this will be my last distraction post.

On your Sorrento language school link I found other interesting links (click links on their page at the bottom). Some for other language schools and reviews. I also enjoyed the Italiamia link as it led to more Italy links to explore. Most of these links I hadn't seen before. I particularly enjoyed the videos (the Visions of Italy - beneath the first vid on the page). I have a couple of Visions of Italy dvd's. The link leads to more on Youtube. I didn't watch any of the RS as I think I've probably seen them on PBS.
http://www.italiamia.com/italy_video.php

annhig

no probs with the distraction posts ky - after all they were [sort of] on topic.

i had a look at the links to other language schools, especially in Florence, which is presently leading the list of places which might go next year.

annhig

a little update - we're off to Venice in February '15. Same format for the trip - mostly 16-17 year olds and a few oldies like me, led by our italian teacher. Tarquin - we'll be staying in private homes, not in the Palladian cloister - mainly because it gives more opportunities for talking to the natives.

We'll have italian lessons in the mornings, and excursions in the afternoon. Depending on the programme, as I have been to Venice a few times before, I may strike off by myself - an afternoon trip to Padua is high on my list.

When I've got some more information, I'll start another thread.

Ciao for now!

thursdaysd

ann - have you been to Ravenna? The mosaics are fabulous. I like Ferrara too.

Peter_S_Aus

Ann, you might add this to your 2015 gardening thread:

In Padua,

http://m.ortobotanicopd.it/en/ Lovely garden, give yourself an hour or two!

annhig

Peter - I'd forgotten all about the garden, but thinking back, it was one of my main reasons for wanting to go to Padua in the first place. so thank you very much for reminding me about it.

thursdaysd - according to trenitalia.it, it's a 3 hour train ride to Ravenna - a bit too far for this trip. Padua is only 25 minutes so far more doable.

annhig

just to bring everything up to date, later this evening we set off for a week learning Italian in Venice.

The trip follows what is becoming a well-worn annual formula - overnight travel in a minibus to LGW [oh joy!] followed by our flight, arriving about midday in Venice. Then the afternoon settling in with our hosts [in this case i'm staying in a private home by myself so as to maximise practice time] and an early evening orientation meeting and communal dinner somewhere.

then on Monday morning we will meet early at the language school:

http://www.istitutovenezia.com/en/

this year I have insisted [in the nicest possible way] on being in classes with other adults of the same standard from the start, rather than being mixed in with the kids from our college. Well, that's the theory - I'll report back on what actually happens when I get back!