By Lydia Nor Many community colleges and universities have programs that require foreign students to live with American families. At other organizations, such as private schools, students have a choice.
Some students start living with a family and then change to a more independent lifestyle.
It's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each situation. Living with a host family can be a very rewarding experience. First, the student gets exposure to authentic English every day, including slang and idioms. The student can also benefit from learning the culture firsthand. This can help the student adapt to their new environment in a comfortable way because he or she has a family to talk to about daily life.