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ILI

The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) promotes intercultural understanding and diverse communities by providing high-quality language instruction and teacher training.

Living with an American Family

A Guide for Foreign Students

What to Expect in Your Home-stay

Our hosts have been carefully selected. We are sure that you will find them sympathetic, warm and helpful. They are friendly, caring people who are interested in knowing more about you and your culture. You should ask them if you do not understand something and you should tell them about your plans for the day. It’s great English practice and they will be happier knowing where you are. We will be checking with you often about your homestay so that if there are any problems, we will talk about them and try to solve them.

There is no “typical” family in the USA. You may live in a traditional family with two parents and children, or there may be a husband and wife, but no children. Most of our hosts are single women with grown children. We also have some households with two women or two men living together, some of them with children. The parents may both have full-time jobs outside the home. Many families in Northampton have diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Social Activities

Social activities mostly occur on weekends. On weekday evenings, families often watch television together or work by themselves doing homework, surfing the internet, or reading. Many people have evening meetings for school, work, church, or other organizations. You may be your host if it is appropriate.

Meals

Meals such as breakfast and lunch are light, informal meals in the U.S.A., particularly during weekdays, and family members usually choose and prepare what they will eat themselves. Dinner is the main meal of the day, and families usually eat together. The dinner hour is usually between 6:00 and 8:00.

  • If you have chosen a home-stay with meals included you can expect to have dinner with your host and have food provided with which to prepare your own breakfast and lunch.
  • If you have chosen to prepare your own meals, your host will help you to shop for your food. There are several food stores within walking distance of ILI.

Everyone shares in clearing the table and washing dishes. You can offer to help, and ask your host how they share the work. You may ask for more food if you are still hungry. If you are asked if you would like more, and you do, say “yes” the first time—you may not be asked a second time.

Your host will want to know what you like and do not like to eat. Tell them if there is some food you cannot eat. You are not expected to enjoy all foods, but it is polite to try things once.

Tell your host if there is a special food you miss. Often, your host will be able to get it for you. Offer to cook a meal from your country occasionally.

If you are not planning on joining your host for dinner, make sure that you tell them. Do not be afraid to call them, they will appreciate it! You need to eat a balanced diet to stay healthy. If you are not getting enough to eat or you feel that the food is not healthful, you should talk to your host.

Pets

Many Americans have pets, especially cats and dogs that are often allowed into every room in the house. If you have allergies to animals or the presence of a pet makes you uncomfortable, let the Home-stay Coordinator know beforehand.

Helping with Household Tasks

In most American households, men, women and children share housekeeping and laundry chores. You will be expected to clean your room, do your own laundry and clean up after yourself or help with other chores as asked.

Smoking

Smoking is generally not allowed inside buildings. Please ask your host for guidance about where you can smoke.

Religion

There are 145 houses of worship within 16 kilometers of ILI representing many religions of the world.

Alcoholic Drinks

People less than 21 years of age are not allowed to drink, buy or carry alcohol in Massachusetts. It is illegal to buy or give alcohol to anyone under the age or 21.

Before Departure

It is customary to leave your bedroom and bathroom as clean as it was when you arrived. Don’t forget to dispose of all trash and to take all your belongings!

After You Leave

It is customary to write a “thank you” note to your host after you leave. This note thanks your American hosts for their kindness and hospitality. They will enjoy hearing from you occasionally and it gives you another opportunity to practice your English!

Concerns

Contact Amy Ben-Ezra, Home-stay Coordinator
E-mail: amy@ili.edu Phone: 413.586.7569 x100

Some Social Customs

Like all people, Americans have unique social customs. A few are mentioned below, but it is not possible to list them all. By observing and asking questions, you can learn about others. TIME: Americans expect people to be on time. If your class is at 9 A.M. you are expected to be there, ready to begin at 9. To come late is considered rude. This is true of most social engagements as well.

Informality & Greetings

American dress and lifestyle can be very informal. People often use first names with each other. A handshake is the most common form of greeting (especially between men) and acceptable in all social situations. Just extend your hand, usually the right one, and say ‘hello’ or “pleased to meet you”. A typical response to “How are you?” is “Fine, thank you, and you?’

Invitations

Americans make statements such as “You must come and see us” or “See you later.” This kind of friendly statement is not necessarily an invitation. An invitation specifies a time, date and place. It is polite to respond with either a “yes” or “no.” A “yes” answer requires you to attend unless you call to cancel. You can always decline an invitation, it is polite to say “no, thank you”. It is considered impolite to accept an invitation and then not go.

References: NAFSA: Association of International Educators, International Student & Scholar Series: A Guide for Foreign Students,Washington, D.C. 2010

ILI News

  • ILI is a finalist for the PIEoneer “Language Educator of the Year” 2022 award! June 15, 2022
  • ILI’s Caroline Gear featured in Rotary magazine! June 13, 2022
  • Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer June 8, 2022
  • An Interview with MJ Adams: An International Host and Global Citizen June 2, 2022
  • How to Improve your Academic English and Business English Writing Skills May 25, 2022
  • ILI board member Reynolds Whalen earns “40 under Forty” recognition! May 11, 2022

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ILI on Instagram

A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for award A huge thank you to the @rivervalleycoop for awarding ILI the Austin Miller Co-op Hero Award! We are grateful to be among all the amazing winners of this prestigious award! Receiving  the award is Sonya, a member of ILI’s Board of Directors. Caroline, ILI’s Executive Director and Beth, ILI’s Career and College Advisor.
ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleyc ILI is thrilled to be a recipient of @rivervalleycoop 's Austin Miller Award alongside Riquezas del Campo and The Nolumbeka Project! 

The nonprofit award winners receive $500 each and split the proceeds from food sales at River Valley Co-op's annual Strawberry Ice Cream Social and June Change for Change contributions.

➡️Read more here: https://rivervalley.coop/event-details/strawberry-ice-cream-social-austin-miller-awards?fbclid=IwAR3Uh8pZ0v5jO4jbYLG50xFVNcq5OEKPXj6HOmmU6F8e0toyzhFp6Dokt1A
“Juneteenth has never been a celebration of vict “Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do.” — Barack Obama

Resources to learn more about Juneteenth:
• https://naacp.org/campaigns/juneteenth
• https://www.history.com/.amp/news/what-is-juneteenth
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2022/
After months–or years—of studying online at ho After months–or years—of studying online at home or taking English classes in their home countries, millions of students want a breath of fresh air. 💨

Sunny days, warm weather, cool winds–summertime is a wonderful time to enroll in an Intensive English program. 📚

➡️Check out our recent NEWS Item titled, "Top 7 Reasons to do an Intensive English Program (IEP) in the Summer" here: https://ili.edu/2022/06/08/top-7-reasons-to-do-an-intensive-english-program-iep-in-the-summer/

➡️Interested in learning more about ILI's Intensive English Program? Email macey@ili.edu.

#ili #internationallanguageinstitute #Massachusetts #northampton #studentlife #intensive #englishprogram #iep #language #education #summerclasses #newblogpost #news #academicarticle #blog #ialc
For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City For today's #tbt we're reflecting on Paradise City Arts Festival that happened a few weeks ago! 🎨

Thank you @paradise_city_arts_festivals for designating ILI as the silent auction beneficiary this year. Thank you to the 75+ generous artist for donating their art and thank you to the 20+ volunteers for staffing the table and booth sitting for artists. ✨ What a generous community we live in!

#ili #paradisecityartsfestival #2022 #silentauction #community #festival #nonprofit #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton #ialc
We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that We are thrilled to be one of three nonprofits that are the Change for Change recipients at @rivervalleycoop along with #NolumbekaProject and @riquezasdelcampocoop ✨The three of us will not only receive all Change for Change donations made in June but also the proceeds from this year's Strawberry Ice Cream Social, which returns on June 23rd.

The Nolumbeka Project envisions a Connecticut River Valley where the histories, cultures and persistence of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples are recognized and celebrated, and where all beings coexist in balance and reciprocity.

Riquezas Del Campo is an immigrant-led, worker-owned cooperative farm in Hatfield, MA that began leasing land on the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm in 2021. 

✨Pictured here is Megan, a cashier at RV. Next time you’re shopping, please consider rounding up in support of these nonprofits.

#changeforchange #roundup #rivervalleymarket #rivervalleycoop #nonprofit #local #community #ili #internationallanguageinstitute #massachusetts #northampton
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