A homestay is new development in Kochi, an intercity living in Kerala, in which a person
visiting or temporarily staying in Kochi, lives with a family in the Town or
nearby area. Homestays involve relationships between people and it should not
be linked with a boarding-house or hotel experience, in which they only rent
rooms. While students pay their own expenses for room and stay, the purpose of
an intercity homestay is not just to provide a place to stay but to create an
enriching learning experience for both the student and the host family. The
homestays in Kochi sometimes comes in the place of Hostal or Hotel
accommodation for the employed people as well as for those making a short visit
to the town. While choosing a homestay and while giving a home stay,
particularly the host should be very careful.
Let us assess the situation:
The host should always be careful and vigilant. Modern day
boys are very forward and they sometimes do not give much importance to
cultural values. They should not be allowed to take advantage of the
situation. These students should not be
allowed to stay alone in the house, bring their friends – both male and female
friends to the home, ie., there should be someone in the house always to take
control of the situation if something fishy happens.
Homestays are good and useful for students, but they are not
ideal for every student and every situation. Homestays are probably most
helpful for students coming to the Kochi for the first time and interested in
having a safe, family environment in which, getting used to life in a different
city and different family; learn about their family life and values; interact
with people of different ages; and share their own culture and interests.
Homestay students must be willing to make an effort to communicate and
cooperate with others and accept the rules and preferences of the families with
whom they live. For example, most homestay families do not allow smoking in
their homes. Because of the additional responsibility involved, students
seeking a homestay should be mature, stable individuals who are good natured
and flexible. Such students usually have a positive and memorable homestay
experience.
There are many different kinds of families involved: retired
couples, single-parent families, single individuals, widows, as well as
traditional families. But whether they are young or old, with or without
children, they all share a strong interest in good-natured, well mannered
people. Many of them have traveled or lived abroad, so they can identify with
you. They are excited to welcome you into their homes and assist you in your
adjustment to life there.
Like families all over Kerala, most families are
interdependent, which means that individuals often must give up some of their
own independence in order to help family relationships run smoothly. Living
with a family requires a kind of cooperation that sometimes involves some
personal sacrifices. A student becomes like a member of the family, not a
guest. As a result, families may have certain expectations of students such as
participation in family activities, cleaning their rooms, keeping reasonable
hours, communicating clearly with the family about their schedules, and
occasionally helping with cooking or other household duties.
There are many benefits of a homestay. First of all, a
homestay allows students to communicate effectively and interact with strangers
and be one of them. Second, living with a family provides a quiet atmosphere
for study and a greater sense of security for some students. Third, a homestay
exposes students to a rich variety of cultural learning opportunities, such as
family activities, holiday celebrations, religious practices, sporting events,
etc. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a homestay often results in
students developing deep, lasting friendships with their families. Such a
personal connection gives many students a real sense of stability in their
lives, and what they get in their own homes.
www.kochiplaza.com is always there in Kochi to help those in need of homestays or good trustworthy hosts. For more information visit our real estate website www.kochiplaza.com
