The family stay can provide a lifetime link with your host country. It's always a good idea to bring gifts from home for your host family. Before giving flowers in a foreign country, be sure to find out if they hold any cultural significance. For example, you wouldn't want to present your host with chrysanthemums in France as they are associated with mourning and funerals. Before you leave the US, contact your phone company for information on how to get a calling card with international access.
All major carriers offer international calling cards.
Rates on US calling cards usually are less than dialing direct. 210 for more information. Also, in many countries public phones are no longer coin operated. You must purchase a local telephone card to make them work. If you decide to use your host family's phone, please realize that often local calls are not free and may be charged by both time and distance.