Andromeda wrote:K2 wrote:busman7 wrote:For 2-4 weeks usually do a home stay, longer I rent an apartment.
What's a home stay?
A homestay is when you essentially find a local family to take you in for x number of days/weeks, even months. Usually you get meals from them and it's a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture of wherever you are- some great memories, but can sometimes be hard to arrange depending on where you are.
I did one in Africa through a hostel that organized them at a local X'hosa village and a few that were essentially homestays in Eastern Europe by accepting offers from those little old ladies at the bus station holding "soba room zimmer" signs. Meals usually weren't included in the latter but those old ladies kept insisting on feeding me anyway!
I had one in Antigua arranged by the Spanish school where I was taking classes a couple years ago, when I was back in town for a couple weeks in July just called the family directly. Another in Havana was arranged by a local tour guide. Also have seen a few online tour companies advertising them.
A great experience (usually but there is the odd exception) however as Andromeda says "it can be hard to arrange depending on where you are".
