Add intro with wider range of tips for living with a HF??
Laundry
Each family’s laundry habits will be different. Some families may wash clothes once a week. Other families may wash a load of clothes daily. Most families have their own washer and dryer. If not, they may go to a nearby laundromat. Ask your host family how to use the washing machine and dryer. You may be expected to do your own laundry.
Table Manners
Eating habits and table manners vary in every culture. In the U.S., expect different eating habits, as well as different foods. There may be foods you don’t like in the beginning, but nearly all participants get accustomed to eating “American style” by the end of the year. A few things to keep an eye out for:
- In some families, it is customary to pass food around the table. Other families serve a plate with food already on it.
- Reaching across the table for food is often considered rude. It is better to ask someone to pass you whatever dish you want.
- Both “please” and “thank you” are commonly used at the table. Not saying these words when requesting or receiving food is generally considered rude.
- "May I please be excused?” is still common to ask your host parents when you would like to leave the table. It is used while eating at home, but not used in the cafeteria while eating with friends.
- It is not unusual for exchange participants to gain weight while in the U.S. If you do gain a little weight, you should not worry about it. However, if you find you are gaining weight too fast and none of your clothes fit, don’t be afraid to discuss this problem with your host family.
Personal Hygiene and Bathroom Use
When you arrive at your new home, the bathroom may include unfamiliar fixtures and you may not know how to use them. Ask your host family to show you how the shower and sink faucets are turned on and off and how the toilet is flushed. Always consult your family if you are unsure—a flooded bathroom can cause a lot of damage to a family’s home. The following are some other things to notice or ask your host family about (these may already be customs in your country, but they are not customary in all countries):
- It is customary to shower or bathe daily and to use an underarm deodorant. Americans tend to be very conscious of body odor and hygiene.
- Most families close and lock the door when they are using the bathroom. When finished, the door is often left open slightly to indicate that the room is not in use.
- Used toilet paper is discarded in the toilet. The wastebasket is reserved for facial tissues and other trash.
- Sanitary pads and tampons are usually wrapped in toilet tissue and discarded in the wastebasket, not in the toilet. If you are unsure of how to dispose of these items, please consult your host mother or sister.
- Water is a valuable resource and should be conserved. Also, water is paid for in most places in the U.S.; it is NOT free. Some families are sensitive about the amount of water used. Long, hot showers are generally considered wasteful.
Alumni Quote:
"Many students have experiences of accidentally clogging the toilet. It is better to tell the host parents right away than risk causing a flood in the bathroom. Communication about the bathroom is essential!" -Allison