While the student will have some contact with the host family, it will probably be infrequent. The student will most likely have much more contact with other students at the college, for example, as that is the place where students spend most of their time during the week. A home-stay does have considerable advantages, though. A newly arrived student immediately moves into a house with a private room, all the facilities of a complete household, and has some immediate guidance during the first few days in the United States. Students who send their home-stay requests close to the time of their arrival will receive the contract from the host upon their arrival.
Hosts require that students make their home-stay commitment for one semester at a time.
This eases the transition for the student considerably. Apartments are available, including in the direct vicinity of the college. The cost is also fairly high, as not only rent but also utilities have to be paid on a monthly basis. It usually takes several weeks or even months for an apartment to become available. A student may choose to live in a home-stay for the first semester and use that time to find a suitable apartment and make all preparations while having comfortable housing in the meantime.