Why homestay?
- Homestay experiences are affordable and an excellent alternative to the more expensive hotel, motel or apartment stays for a short period of time. It is also a great way to experience a little bit of the American way of life!
- We service all of Southern California, so feel free to reach out to our coordinators to learn more about Homestay options near your preferred location!
Pricing?
- The Application Fee is a one-time payment and non-refundable $350 or $400 if it is a rush placement within 7 days. Homestay costs can be found in Student Pricing.
How do I apply for a homestay?
- Simply, fill out our online application in the Student Application Form.
How does the application process work?
- First, you will fill out the Student Application Form and submit the Application Fee.
- Shortly after we receive your application, our Homestay Coordinator will be in contact with you and you will receive an email detailing your host family and homestay information.
When should I apply for a homestay?
- Students normally apply at least 30-45 days in advance of their arrival in order to allow Homestay Santa Monica enough time to arrange the best possible homestay matching their needs.
Can I still apply if I’m arriving soon (less than 30 days)?
- Yes, Homestay Santa Monica will be glad to try to arrange your homestay even if you’re arriving in less than 30 days. We will still make every effort to match your homestay needs as closely as possible, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so in a short time span or that we will have a homestay available. However, if you are looking for a homestay within 7 days, you will be charged an additional rush fee of $50 with your $350 Application Fee.
Can I apply if I am not an international student?
- Yes! We will be glad to arrange your homestay if you are attending an internship or even if you are from another part of the U.S.
Why do you need a Photo ID/Passport?
- We require these forms of identification so we can verify the application with the person. This ensures the safety of both the host family and the student.
What is the minimum stay time?
- Our minimum stay is 1 week. Even if you do not stay the entire week, you will be required to submit payment for the full 1 week.
How long can I stay in my homestay?
- You may apply to stay as long as your host is available and willing to accommodate you. There is no limit to how long you can stay in the homestay, but our minimum stay is 1 week.
How do I pay for my homestay?
- Beginning 2019, payment must be submitted via credit card. Students can choose whether to pay in full, monthly, or weekly depending on the duration of their stay. Homestay Santa Monica will send you your first invoice for you to submit payment, then every payment thereafter will be automatically charged by Homestay Santa Monica for the remaining duration of your stay. Please note there is a 4.5% service fee for processing these transactions. This is also subject to change.
How does Homestay Santa Monica select host families?
- Homestay Santa Monica carefully screens its host families in order to ensure that we have the most caring and dependable hosts possible. In order to select a host family, Homestay Santa Monica reviews the family’s application and interviews the host in their own home. Students also have the option of filling out a survey about their homestay experience. This helps us to track the quality of a homestay and is considered when placing future students.
Can I visit my host family before I move into my homestay?
- No, Homestay Santa Monica does not allow nor recommend students to visit the homestay prior to move in. This may cause inconvenience to your host since they are already screened by Homestay Santa Monica. All communication must be directed to Homestay Santa Monica until your move in day. If you have questions about your homestay prior to moving in, please feel free to contact us anytime. If you are unhappy with your initial assignment, please contact us so we may assist you.
How far will my homestay be from my school?
- Homestays are located in the surrounding area of the school. While some may be walking distance, others will be a convenient bus ride to the school. Bus ride travel time may vary depending on your homestay location and traffic.
Is the application fee refundable in case of cancellation?
- No, the application fee is non-refundable.
Do you refund homestay fees if I depart earlier than scheduled?
- If you cancel your homestay booking during your scheduled stay, we can provide a partial refund for nights not stayed. This is because your host families have allotted your stay in their home for your scheduled duration. For monthly bookings, we can refund up to 2 weeks of your stay. For weekly bookings, no refunds can be made.
Can I move to a different homestay if I am unhappy with my initial assignment?
- Homestay Santa Monica uses a very efficient matching system to match you with the best possible host based on your application preferences and availability of our hosts at the time you apply. Therefore, students are usually quite happy with their initial assignments. However, sometimes the student may not like their initial assignment due to personality problems between the host and student, etc. If, for any reason, you are unhappy with your initial homestay assignment, we ask that you contact the Homestay Santa Monica office within the FIRST WEEK of your arrival to request a homestay change. If you are e-mailing us with such a request, please make sure to include the reason for your request. Homestay Santa Monica will then determine if the request is valid and if so, we will arrange another homestay for you as based on your request as soon as possible. If you contact us anytime after the first week of the homestay to request a change, you may need to finish your first 4 weeks in the homestay before we can move you to another homestay (unless you have an emergency situation). If you have already been in a homestay for longer than 4 weeks when you request a change, we will try to move you as soon as possible based on availability of homestays.
Can I extend my homestay?
- Yes, we will be glad to help you extend your homestay. If you would like to extend, please contact us by email to let us know how many more weeks you would like to stay. Once we confirm the extension with your host, we will also e-mail you your invoice for your next housing fee payment. If your host is not available for the extension, we will inform you immediately and our staff can provide you a new homestay. Please note that you are not permitted, under any circumstances, to deal directly with your host in regards to your extension. As per your homestay agreement, if you would like to extend, you must contact Homestay Santa Monica directly.
Is there any extra cost to extend my homestay?
- There is no extra cost to extend your stay with the exception of your regular monthly homestay fee. Homestay extension is based on availability. We suggest that you email your request at least 4 weeks before your move out date.
Will I have to follow house rules?
- Yes, although we provide student guidelines, hosts may also have other rules that you must follow. Please speak to your host directly about any additional house rules.
Can I have an overnight guest in my homestay or bring a family member?
- No, Homestay Santa Monica does not allow students to have overnight guests /family in their host’s home. Please check with your host for the appropriate hours your guests/family can visit you.
Can I smoke in my host family’s home?
- Smoking is not allowed inside the home AT ANY TIME. For those applicants who are smokers, please speak to your host directly about any additional house rules.
Will my host provide me a spare key to the home?
- Yes, your host will provide you with an extra key. You are required to return this key to your host on your move out day. If you fail to return the keys then you will be held responsible to pay for the host’s cost to change their lock and duplicate another set of keys.
If you have more questions, please feel free to check out the Student Handbook and Terms & Conditions or shoot us an email via Contact!
If you are a prospective host, please email us at info@homestaysantamonica.com for the Host Handbook!