Say What?

Why do we say that our feet smell and our nose runs?

And take the word, ‘up.’ Talk about confusing! What’s up with that word, anyway? It’s just a little two-letter word but it’s used as a noun, an adjective, a verb with an object, a verb without an object, an adverb and a preposition, not to mention it’s multiple meanings as an idiom! Are you keeping up with me here?

Once international students land on our shores, they feel confused from the get-go. It’s mind-boggling—nothing like the textbook English they learned in their country! And, if that weren’t confusing enough, we Americans are all talking a mile a minute! I think these students deserve a round of applause for staying here and toughing it out! I mean, if it were me, I’d be on the next plane outta here!

There are lots of things about our language that are confusing even to me. For example, if the plural of mouse is mice, why isn’t the plural of house, hice? And here’s another puzzler: Why do we drive on a parkway, but park on a drive way?

Once in awhile the tables are turned and I’m the one scratching my head for a minute when, for example, my homestay students ask if they can ‘open’ or ‘close’ the lights.

Tonight at the dinner table my homestay students and I were talking about idioms. They hear a lot of them at school and in the movies. So, I (foolish me) asked if they recalled any idioms they didn’t understand. “Yeah,” one of them asked, “What does ‘shove it up your a**’ mean?”

Gasp. Sputter. Choke. Ahem. Oh my!…… just how does a ‘mama’ explain that one?!

Yup, my homestay students have a lotta pluck (as in courage)! If I were trying to learn English as my second language, I’d be a basket case by now! ‘Basket case.’ Now that’s an interesting idiom! Where in the world did that one originate? Darned if I know!

Wondering if I’m up for this,

Love,

Homestay Mama

Chapter 3: On Being a Host Family

From Amazing Journey; Amazing Grace

Facing singleness after 25 years of marriage was scary. I had no idea where this strange, new adventure would lead me, but I knew God was with me and I clung to him for dear life!

Not long after my husband left, our son, Allen, came back home to live. We both had emotional wounds that needed to heal. It helped us to heal together.

The greater Seattle area is not noted for being a cheap place to live, and even though I was earning more at work and my son was contributing toward his expenses at home, it wasn’t quite enough.

One of my neighbors suggested becoming a host family for international students. I’d never heard of such a thing. “It’s not quite the same as exchange students,” he explained. “Homestay students pay to live with a host family while they attend school in the USA.” It sounded interesting. Allen liked the idea, too. I had an extra bedroom—why not give it a try?

I got busy and contacted the international student offices in Seattle’s three major universities. I was full of questions. Could a single mom qualify as a host family? What was the remuneration for hosting? How were students selected and matched to host families?

I learned that each school had a homestay coordinator who would visit my home, meet my son and me and learn more about each of us--did we do drugs? Or have a criminal record? We needed to “pass inspection” before becoming a host family. I wasn't worried.

I also learned that:
The student must have a private room with a window, bed, closet, chest of drawers, desk and a chair. They could share a bathroom with the family.

Check.

Food was to be provided for all 3 meals; the student could make his own breakfast and lunch, but the host family should make his dinner.

Check.

There should be a bus stop within a reasonable walking distance from the home.

Check.

The student could only make one transfer between buses.

Check.

The entire commute from home to school must be under an hour.

Uh-Oh!

Back in 1992, the buses from outside Seattle's city limits weren’t that accommodating. The entire commute from my home to each of the universities was easily an hour or more. "I'm sorry," each homestay coordinator said. "You live too far away." And they rejected my application! There I was--up against the proverbial brick wall!

“Oh God,” I prayed, “I thought hosting students was a good idea, but I guess not. So, I’ll wait for a word from you, but please hurry, because I’m running low on money, and quite frankly, I don’t know what to do.”

Just a simple, straightforward prayer, but God heard and answered in a most unusual way!

To be continued.

What is a Homestay Mama?

Robynn from Robynn's Ravings stopped by yesterday and wanted to know exactly what a Homestay Mama is. But before I answer her question, I just want to say thanks for stopping by, Robynn. I'm glad I met you via blog land which is almost as good as meeting you in person. I will be visiting you again--I like your humor--and I hope you will visit me again as well.
Now, to answer your question--

English is the trade language of the world and students from other countries have an advantage of finding an excellent job in their own country if they have studied English abroad or have earned a college degree from a university in an English speaking country such as the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, etc.

America is a very popular destination for international students. Washington state is especially strong in the number of colleges that recruit and welcome international students. The greater Seattle area is home to many colleges/universities that have ESL (English as a Second Language) programs. Most international students have learned a little English in their home country, but find they need additional training in English in order to compete with native English college students when pursuing their undergraduate degrees here.

When these international students arrive, some choose to live in the college dorm, or a private apartment, but a large number prefer to live with an American family. These students are called 'homestay' students. The advantages of living with an American family are many. They learn English faster; they learn first hand about American culture; and, they develop friendships that may last a lifetime.

There are advantages for the host family as well. The family learns about the countries, cultures and religions of their students; they make lasting friendships; and, they get paid for hosting the students.

I chose the name 'Homestay Mama' because in a sense I become my homestay students' 'Mom' while they are here in America. Sometimes I even act as their guardian when they're under 18 years of age. I chose 'Home to the World' as my blog name because that is literally what my home has become--a home in America for students from all around the world--Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Eretria, Turkey, Germany, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.

I realize that not everyone can open their home to a stranger, especially a stranger from a different country, but I find it very rewarding. I am happiest when my home is full of young, energetic, international college-age students. I love talking with them. I love helping them with their English. I love learning about their countries, cultures, religions. I love tasting their foods and sometimes even learning how to cook their recipes. I love staying in touch with them after they have graduated, gone back to their countries, gotten jobs and started families of their own.

Why does being a homestay mama work for me? Because my God-given personality and gift of hospitality come tailor-made from our Creator, Himself! It's really quite awesome when you think about it!

Finding joy in the journey,

Love,

Homestay Mama