Host Family Immersion Week
A Rare Opportunity to Spend One Week Totally Immersed in the Life & Culture of a French or Spanish Family!
After two weeks of practicing your conversation skills during classes and enjoying a fantastic variety of hands-on activities with your group, you will be fully prepared for your individual* total immersion experience.
Our Immersion Week families truly embody the “homestay” philosophy – completely sharing their lives with you and helping you to learn about their culture.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to become immersed in Spain or France’s traditions & language, while at the same time forming lifelong friendships!
*Students stay one to a family, other than in cases of extenuating circumstances.
What is Language Immersion?
Immersion itself represents an active engagement in a particular interest or situation. We find ourselves immersed in various things all the time, immersed maybe in surfing the internet or a great book, or in our daily lives. Among educational professionals, immersion in a native-speaking culture holds long-standing recognition as the easiest way to learn a foreign language. Language immersion also holds the promise of traveling to exciting new destinations, or welcoming travelers into our home, forging lasting friendships and learning about one's self along the way.
Who are the Immersion Host Families?
ECI has developed an extensive network of coordinators in Spain & France who are committed to finding families. Our coordinators do not work for a language school; rather, they work directly for ECI. The families do not host to earn money; rather, they hope to develop a lifelong friendship with you. They share with you their daily lives, culture, home & food. They will involve you as much as possible in family events and introduce you to friends & relatives.
Often, our families have teens of a similar age to you and are comprised Mom, Dad & children, but like families all over the world, single parent households are not uncommon.
How do we choose our Immersion Families?
During the application process you will write a personal letter with information about yourself, your family, ambitions, hobbies & interests. From these important details, our Host Family Coordinators will do their best to select the most appropriate match for you. They will take into account any of your specific requests and will try to match your interests with those of your Immersion Family.
Is it a Week of Total Immersion?
During your week of Immersion there will usually not be any organized group activity or get-together. The aim of this week is for you to fully immerse yourself in the language & culture of your family.
Sometimes your family may offer to take you on local excursions or to family parties, but more often than not, you will be living the daily life of the family, enjoying mealtimes, watching TV, going shopping with your host parents, or simply relaxing and enjoying getting to know your family.
Oftentimes there will be teenagers of a similar age in your host family, but your experience is also about connecting with every member of your family – the parents, younger children and even grandparents. This will help you to gain the most from your immersion experience.
During your stay the chaperone team is on-call twenty-four hours per day to assist you in any way needed.
For many students, the immersion aspect of the program is the most enjoyable and rewarding!
I was a member of the immersion family from day one. They were very patient and open with me as if I was their son. Every day was a cultural lesson with new experiences.
Nicholas K. (Student 2007)
This trip would not be the same without the immersion..My mind profited immensely...This experience has changed my life and view of the world.
Maureen D. (Student 2008)
The Immersion Host Family parents were extremely accommodating. It was nice to have a kid my age who was so willing to welcome me into his social life.
William P. (Student 2009)