Host family and homesickness
Have you ever wondered what life would be like staying with a new family for ten months? I have. To me, Germany sounded foreign and intimidating because it was a country that I have never set foot on. Before flying to Germany, I was worried that I would miss my family and that I would not get along with my host family (Imagine arguing in very poor German!). If you are concerned about these issues and what the experience might be like, I am here to provide you with some basic knowledge and advice that will prepare you for your time in Germany.
Host family
Did you know that your German host family will not be compensated to host you for ten months? This implies that they are most likely participating in this for the experience. They will probably also have some stereotypes or expectations of a “typical American”. Be sure to be prepared to answer questions about your own culture and country. Some Germans are not well acquainted with states other than New York and California. I would suggest bringing a gift that represents your home state for your host family and give them a brief introduction on your home state.
In addition to expressing your own culture, you should be aware of some common German habits and make an effort to adapt. In general, Germans try to keep their home clean. For example, my host mom would assign cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming and sweeping, to each family member on Sunday, which is on a day that shops are not open. As part of the family, I sometimes took out the trash or vacuumed the carpet. I strongly encourage that you take on some cleaning responsibilities, too, even if your host family does not assign you these tasks.
On Sunday, in addition to cleaning, I would also have coffee and cake with my family. We would usually chat with each other and relax. Sunday is usually a good opportunity to spend time with your family. I would recommend spending quality time with your family and get to know them better. Germans have a stereotype of appearing reserved, but once you get to know them, they will be more open toward you. Germans are sometimes also known to be straight forward, so take this into consideration when speaking with them. Good communication is essential in keeping a good relationship between you and your host family. If you are having a difficult time with your host family, discuss it with your area representative. Do try to work it out as much as you can, since it can be difficult to find another host family.
Homesickness
One of the problems that you will likely encounter is the cultural shock, which is defined as when an individual struggle between a new culture and the original culture. When participants first arrive in Germany, they often find the new culture fascinating. After a while, the participant may find the differences between cultures frustrating and irritating. The participants may show signs of homesickness, especially during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas or when they are sick. If you are in this type of situation, I would recommend going out and engaging in as many activities as you can. Try to avoid locking yourself in the room, since that will make you feel lonely and focus on the past. You need to focus on the present to make the best out of your experience, which you can achieve by keeping yourself occupied with various activities. Through those activities, you will end up making more friends and not feel as lonely. In addition to making more friends, you should also spend time with your family. Think of it as if you now have more family members. My host family treated me just like how they treated their kids and perceived me as a family member.
Sparknotes:
- Be sure to be prepared to answer questions about America and its culture
- Bring a gift that represents your state and give an introduction about your state
- Try to spend time with your host family on Sunday, if they are not busy.
- Germans have a stereotype to appear reserved, but once you know them, they will open up to you
- When facing cultural shock, try to keep yourself occupied and make new friends
- If you are having a difficult time with your host family, discuss it with your area representative.
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