home stay

Meaning

A home stay refers to a travel arrangement where a visitor lives with a local family in their house. It is a popular way for travelers or language students to experience local culture and practice a language. This term is neutral and commonly used in international education and tourism contexts.

Examples

• During my semester in Spain, I opted for a home stay to improve my Spanish.

  During my semester in Spain, I opted for a home stay to improve my Spanish.

• My home stay family was incredibly welcoming and cooked traditional meals for me every night.

  My home stay family was incredibly welcoming and cooked traditional meals for me every night.

• Booking a home stay is often cheaper and more culturally immersive than staying in a hotel.

  Booking a home stay is often cheaper and more culturally immersive than staying in a hotel.

• She still keeps in touch with her home stay hosts from her trip to Japan three years ago.

  She still keeps in touch with her home stay hosts from her trip to Japan three years ago.

• The agency organized a wonderful home stay for us in a quiet neighborhood near the school.

  The agency organized a wonderful home stay for us in a quiet neighborhood near the school.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I did a house stay in London last summer.

  ✓ I did a home stay in London last summer.

  English speakers use 'home stay' or 'homestay' rather than 'house stay' to describe lodging with a local family.

• ✗ I am living in a family stay to learn English.

  ✓ I am doing a home stay to learn English.

  Although you live with a family, the correct term is 'home stay' or 'homestay', usually paired with the verbs 'do' or 'choose'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Choosing a ___ is a great way to experience daily life in another country.

  💡 Living with a local family while traveling.

  Show answer

  home stay

• My university arranged a ___ for me during my study abroad program.

  💡 An accommodation option where you live with locals.

  Show answer

  home stay