In partnership with

Social Capital Inc.

StudentRoomStay has been assigned by your school to assist you in finding a family who will welcome you, support you and make memories with you during your time in the United States. With over 10 years of experience placing students through its extensive network of hosts, StudentRoomStay aims to make your student journey as smooth as possible.

We are your guide

We understand the challenges and stress of navigating housing for international students. Our Immerse hosted accommodation package is specifically designed to streamline the process to find you the perfect host family that compliments your needs.

StudentRoomStay wants to get to know you! Our team of specialist carefully organizes and prepares the hosted accommodation experience, ensuring you receive the tools, education and support to succeed in your cultural immersion journey. Safety and your joy are our top priority!

We are excited for the opportunity to guide you throughout your student housing experience. Have additional questions, please click on the button below to book some time with us.

Book some time with us

People Love StudentRoomStay

As a retired couple, we’ve found an unexpected joy in opening our home to students. It’s not just about providing a home away from home for the students, but also about the enriching experience we gain in return. We’re learning about other cultures, traditions, and their perspective on life, which has added a vibrant layer to our golden years. It’s like we’ve become a family away from his family, sharing meals, stories, sightseeing and laughter.

Erika G

Host Family

We had an amazing experience hosting 2 students from Japan! It was great to see them both come out of their shell as they accustomed to life in America and became more confident in their English skills. It was a great time getting to not only teach them about our culture but also learn about their customs and traditions in Japan.

Lily N

Host Family

As an international student, far away from home, I embarked on a journey to learn English and pursue a career. Little did I know that I would find a second family in my host family. They’ve welcomed me with open arms, making me feel at home in a foreign land. We share meals, laughter, and stories, creating a bond that feels like family. I’m not just learning English and my chosen career path, but also about their culture, traditions, and way of life. This cultural exchange has been a great experience, adding more depth to my college life. It’s a journey of learning, growing, and embracing a new family and culture.

Falah Aleissaee

Student

This is my second homestay in the United States, and with this new homestay [through SRS], I feel the power of being cared for, making my shy child confident. When I compare them, both of them are approachable, but the difference is that my current one is more meticulous, while my previous one was more casual

Sandra Melton

2nd Year Student

What is a homestay?

Hosted Accommodations is an arrangement by which international students live in the home of an American family during their time in the United States. This might be a basic room-rental arrangement, or you may prefer complete host/family immersion. Generally, you will have your room, but you might join the family for meals and participate in their regular daily routine. Host families often have teenagers or young children, but anyone offers homestays. A homestay allows students to engage in activities “off the beaten trail” rather than just seeing typical tourist sights.

Do you know how much of a choice I get in who my host family is?

Our skilled matchers take your student profile and match you with a host family that compliments your student profile. That said, we provide one host family option to fellows.

What process do host families go through to qualify?

The safety and well-being of each SRS Homestay student is our top priority. SRS Homestay uses a background check and in-home screening and interview processes to make sure that our hosts are able and willing to provide an environment that will create a comfortable, pleasant homestay experience. All hosts are required to take an online training course and successfully pass the exam. We offer additional content to assist hosts online in our Host Management System, which includes further in-depth cultural orientation and ideas for supporting a great homestay. All SRS Homestay hosts must speak English in the home.

Is there a guarantee that I will be successfully matched with a homestay?

Yes, we will provide you with a host family or there is a refund back to SCI

Would SCI cover the cost of applying for housing through the StudentRoomStay website, or would that be my responsibility?

Yes, SCI covers the cost of your hosted accommodation.

Will I pay anything out-of-pocket for the homestay?

You will pay SCI directly for any hosted accommodations.

Have More Questions?

Find answers to all your questions in our Help Center: https://knowledge.studentroomstay.com/

Is there a member of SRS Homestay I can contact in case of emergencies?

Yes. We have a 24/7 support team that can be reached at support@studentrooomstay.com

What are the privacy expectations when in a homestay?

Your room is private for you. You will have complete privacy if you must share a bathroom with someone else. Communicate with the Host Family on areas you cannot go, like someone else's room (without their permission), and the other areas, like the garage or workshop, as they may risk your safety.

What common areas and utilities will I share?

Common areas like the living room, kitchen, etc will be available to you. Utilities like a washer and dryer, stove, and fridge are also available. Please communicate with your host family about what you need; they will do their best to accommodate that request. However, the Host Family may require the Student to maintain and clean his/her belongings and private quarters and observe reasonable standards of tidiness and cleanliness in common areas within the home.

Is there a curfew expectation?

No there is not a curfew. However, communicating with your host family about when you will be back will improve your relationship and avoid conflict. As a rule of thumb, be respectful.

Will my room be in a family household? Or a separate unit?

Your room will often be in the same house as the host family. In rare circumstances, you may live in a separate unit

Will my door have a lock?

Yes. A lock on the bedroom and bathroom door will be provided

How long does the application process take?

Finding a host family can take 3-5 weeks after completing the student profile, having them approved, and information about the Host Family is released.

Am I provided with groceries, or are they my responsibility?

Either way. During the matching process, if you decide to include meals from the host family, it will be an added cost. Alternatively, you can get your groceries

Will there be children at the homestay?

In some cases, yes. However, you can note this preference when filling out your student profile, and we will do our best to match that preference

Will there be public transportation nearby?

In many cases, yes. If there isn't, we will make sure you are aware of this and work with you to figure out an alternative

What can I bring into the homestay? (If I have my own furnishings)

The Host Family may ask to see or restrict the Student's possessions to maintain a safe environment and positive behavior within their home. This includes the contents of packages shipped to the host family home. SRS should be contacted first if there is a concern about the Student’s or Host’s safety and a need to see or restrict the Student’s possessions. Please communicate with the Host Family before your arrival to see what you can bring from a size perspective, as these rooms will be fully furnished.

Can I bring my car to the homestay?

Yes, you can bring your car. You cannot drive the host family's car. You must also get your auto insurance to cover you and your vehicle. Host families are not required to provide a parking space, and you will want to work with your host family to arrange parking, which may be street parking

How long does the matching process take?

3-5 Weeks after your Student Profile has been completed

If there are issues with a host family mid-year, will I be matched with a new homestay?

If issues arise, we do our best to mitigate them by having a conversation with both the fellow and host family.

In many cases, this resolves the issue. If you still desire to be placed with a different host family, a new matching fee will need to be paid before doing so. In cases where safety is a concern, we assess the situation, and if it is deemed a reasonable safety issue, we find a new host family.

What should I do if I find alternative housing and decide to move out before my homestay period is over?

SCI AmeriCorps Fellows are required to give SRS and SCI at least 30 days notice.