{"id":24409,"date":"2025-06-16T08:19:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T08:19:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/?p=24409"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:18:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:18:05","slug":"what-its-like-to-live-with-a-host-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecenglish.com\/en\/blog\/travel\/what-its-like-to-live-with-a-host-family\/","title":{"rendered":"What it’s like to live with a host family"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever wondered what it\u2019s really like to live with a host family? Karen, a long-term student at EC Malta<\/a> sat down with us to share some insight into her homestay experience.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

At 17 years old, Karen flew from Colombia to study English in Malta. Since she\u2019s under 18, living with a host family was the most practical accommodation option, but she quickly learned it was the best possible one she could have chosen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good,\u201d she says with a smile.<\/strong> \u201cI love it, not just for under-18s\u2014for everyone!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Karen\u2019s been in Malta for about seven months now, studying General English<\/a> at EC Malta. She\u2019s at pre-intermediate level and really committed to improving, \u201cIt\u2019s a long time,\u201d<\/strong> she admits, \u201cbut I needed my English perfect.\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karen currently lives in San Gwann with her host parents, Mary and Alex. She also lives with their son, two dogs, and a cat; a perfect match if you ask her, \u201cIt\u2019s great. I love animals!\u201d School is just a quick bus ride or walk away, allowing her to take her time in the morning. Her days usually kick off with a homemade breakfast and a little company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMary eats with me every day, it\u2019s very sweet.\u201d<\/strong> <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Karen eats most meals with her host family, and she’s happy with the home-cooked meals<\/strong>, which are usually pasta and meat dishes. \u201cFor me (food) is not a problem because I love Italian food and Malta has a lot of Italian food.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dinner is flexible; sometimes, she eats with her host family, and sometimes, she lets them know she’ll eat out. “I send a message to Mary saying, ‘Today I prefer to take my dinner outside.'”<\/strong> Her host parents aren’t too strict about house rules, but Karen has a curfew (which she has her own opinions about!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she\u2019s not in class, Karen spends her free time at the beach, the cinema, or simply hanging out with friends. Lucky for her, there\u2019s plenty to do in the area, \u201cthere\u2019s a place for bowling and video games near the school.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karen also joins in on school activities<\/a>, exploring Malta\u2019s sister islands, wandering through historic cities, and even checking out the zoo; \u201cI saw little tigers, lions, and bears!\u201d If she feels like having a more relaxed evening, she might hang out with her homestay family or just chill in her room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living with a host family has also helped Karen improve her English, especially, conversational English. \u201cMary and Alex tell me every day, \u2018Don\u2019t say this, say that.\u2019\u201d<\/strong> Back when she first arrived, or \u201cbefore, before, before\u201d in her words, the language barrier was a bit challenging.  \u201cBut now, no,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMalta is a good place and Mary helps me, so I learned.\u201d<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other than language tips, Mary\u2019s also her go-to for local tips<\/strong>. \u201cNormally, for the tourist, it\u2019s Golden Bay, St George\u2019s Bay, but Mary tells me, \u2018Oh Karen, maybe you will like this other place.\u2019 She also recommends places to eat.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Karen hopes to stay in touch with her host family, even after she leaves. \u201cMaybe in another moment, I can come to Malta again and meet with Mary and her family,\u201d she says. Karen\u2019s actual parents appreciate the homestay, too, even though they don\u2019t speak English; \u201cMy parents love this family.\u201d<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, would she recommend homestay accommodation to others? Absolutely, especially for younger students who could use the convenience and support<\/strong>, \u201cIf you don\u2019t like cooking, it\u2019s better to stay with a host family. It\u2019s the same as living in an apartment, but easier.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Karen’s story is one of many, and we thank her for sharing hers!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A homestay accommodation is always an opportunity to practise speaking English with native speakers, enhance the cultural immersion aspect of your exchange, and form a genuine connection that could survive over the phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re under 18 or just looking for a supportive environment to improve your English in, living with a local can make a new city feel like home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about learning English abroad<\/a> with EC English! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Try a free online lesson with EC Live<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Live online English classes for continuous learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
try it for free<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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