At IEF, we offer a wide range of accommodation options to suit everyone’s needs and desires. Many of our students choose to stay with a host family to be in total immersion and learn more about the French culture. This is a real asset for them, as they want to deepen their knowledge of the French language. Many of them tell us that they learn a lot in their host family, both linguistically and culturally, and leave with memorable souvenirs. At the end of their language stay, their host family became their second family and they felt at home!

Interview with the host Delphine: “Students bring the world to my home”

Delphine is one of the many host moms who receives our students into her home and takes care of everything during their entire stay, to make them feel as if they were in their own home. For the past few years, she has opened her doors to those who come to IEF to learn French and our culture. Today, she tells us more about her experiences and the responsibility she has for making those who spend a season with her and her family to achieve the best possible outcome.

Why did you decide to open your home to be a host family?

I had always traveled a lot; I am very curious about the world. But when I undertook a personal project in the city, I had to stop traveling. I continued to feel I wanted to know more about what was outside of my space, so I thought if I could not go, then I would bring it to my home. The students bring the world to us. Having so many people from different cultures in my home allows me to travel without having to leave.

What do you enjoy about receiving students into your home?

I love to see all those young people with so many dreams and aspirations of life, who are curious and eager to learn. The interest they show makes you want to know more too; makes you want to explore more, to open up to many cultures. I also think something very important for me is my children are interested in the world. I have two children of 18 and 15 years. They have not traveled much, and with all the people who come to our home, they have the opportunity to learn. The cultural exchange is huge, and this also shows them that outside their home there is a world full of stories and adventures. They also now feel interested, if the opportunity arises, to go abroad and live a similar experience. As a bonus, they also make new friends since many of the students are of similar ages.

How is coexistence at home?

I always try to make everyone come together and feel comfortable. The first day for a new student, I always tell a little about how everything is going, and how things work in the house. In addition, I like to receive students and offer them both breakfast and dinner. I prefer this because everyone is organized in the morning in his or her own way, but dinner is the time we have to share together. If they do not eat at home or cook by their selves, we don’t really get moments to share. When we get together for dinner we take the opportunity to ask about our day. We get to know each other better, we share our likes and dislikes and, above all, students have a great opportunity to practice French. Then everyone has their room and their own space. We share time as a family but we also know students like to have their independence.

Is it difficult for students to adapt?

The first days are always the most difficult, especially for students who are living away from home for the first time. That’s why we always try to find moments to share and help them feel part of the family. After some days, when they start learning how it all works, and understand everything by themselves, it gets a bit easier. Of course they know for whatever they need, we are here to help. When it happens that two students who already know each other arrive together, it is a little bit more complicated. It is difficult for them to open up to others; somehow they already know their comfort zone. It takes more effort for them to start sharing, but it always happens in the end, they integrate even if it takes more time.

Are you like a mom to the students?

Well, certainly, I do not choose to play the role of mom, but I do like to be there for them and I also worry. I like to listen to them, and make them feel they have support. Many times it happens students feel stressed when they cannot speak French, and it makes them incredibly down. So I always try to support them. I am also aware at night when they leave, for example. I ask when they return home, they leave the keys in sight so I can see they have all returned. They can sleep quietly, but they have complete independence. As a good mom, always before they leave, I tell them to be careful, and pay attention to their surroundings. In the end, the students appreciate you have take care of them.