Host Family Loving

I think one of the best decisions I made with studying abroad was choosing to live with a host family. I don’t know how many times before I left I was told by friends that I was crazy for wanting to live with a family I did not know and I how I would have no freedom. I mean I myself was a little skeptical too because it is a complete gamble on what type of people you will end up with and what your experience will be like. However, I figured that I would feel more comfortable living with a family and I would learn/understand the culture more.

The process of applying for a host family was quite simple. I had to fill out a questionnaire, send in a photo, and then write a letter to my future family telling them about myself. From my answers, the program researches through the families they have and find the one that they think best fits with you. After waiting a good month or so I finally received an email with my host families name and then shortly after that an email from my host mom. In the email I was told that they had two daughters, Luise who is 20 and Philline who is 11. My host mom Nana, was an Art therapist and that Niko, my host dad, was an engineer. Lastly, that they lived in the suburbs of Berlin near a few different lakes and that they have a dog named Emmi. After reading this I became quite excited. They sounded like a really nice family and I could not wait to meet them.

When the day finally came that I was going to meet them I was extremely nervous. I was nervous about if they would like me, if I would fit in, if they were going to speak any English to me, what my house looked like, what the rules were going to be, etc. However, as soon as I met them all my fears and questions were erased and I instantly felt at home. It was the weirdest feeling to instantly just have all your nerves go away like that, but they were beyond welcoming and nice to me.

I live in a part of Berlin called Mexikoplatz, which is one of the high end suburbs. The house I am living in is 4 stories and I live in the basement in like my own little apartment. Then, I have a decent sized backyard with a tree house, trampoline, patio, etc. Its honestly so nice here and far from what I expected but in a good way.

My host sister, Luise, and I have have become best friends. I swear her and I have the same personality and we are almost inseparable. She told me that her and her family were just as nervous about meeting me as I was about meeting them, but that they all honestly love me. For some reason Luise and I always find ourselves talking about how we are so happy that we were we were paired together. Its also really nice because she always takes me out with her friends and they have been just as welcoming as my family has been. All her friends always talk to me on facebook and all invite me places. Everyone just wants to ensure that I am having a good time.

Then how I was nervous about having rules, I really do not have any. I do not know how many times that I have come in from the night at like 5 in the morning and my host parents always just laugh and tell me that they are happy that I am having a good time. They are also always pushing me to go out and explore. They understand that I am only here for a short amount of time and that they want me to see and do as much as possible. Its nice that they do this because I know so many people here that live in the dorms or apartments that just stay in rather than explore because they have no reason or push to leave. They just want to be lazy and sleep.

Lastly, I love how my family wants to include me in everything. They take me to family parties, they are always explaining the history of Berlin and Germany, they help me with my German, they cook for me, and most importantly they are always there for me and make sure that I am as comfortable and happy as I can be.

There is honestly so much that I could write and say about my host family experience, but the main thing I want the readers to get out of this is that it is an amazing experience. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, but it is such a rewarding experience. Everyone that I know here that is in a home stay here absolutely loves it and I know various people here as well that are jealous that they did not choose a homestay.