1. Help out in the kitchen

Almost every family cooks, so there is always work for you in the kitchen! More importantly, the time you spend with your host mom/dad in the kitchen is actually bonding time. If you can’t find a time to talk about your stories and experience, or even simply your day, here it is. What’s more? You’ll get to know the stuff in the kitchen, especially the snack place.

2. Offer help

When you come to a new family, it is inevitable that you have no idea how the house is run. Offering help is a great way to figure these things out. Ask your host family if they want you to help out with anything. If you see your hosts doing something, offer to help. Why? Because you have to share responsibility if you are a member of the house, and you want to be one, so take up responsibilities. If you don’t know how to do something, tell them to teach you! There is no shame. In fact you will look sincere and helpful!

3. Cook them your traditional meal

This is a neat way to show off your cooking skills and culture! Introduce your host family to your country’s taste and custom. Tell them the stories related to this meal. You might not be the best cook, but no worry! Your host knows cooking and he/she can help you out. That’s the fun of cooking together.

4. Create a photo album

This is a neat idea to show gratitude and affection without many words! At the end of the year, you can collect and choose the best photos of you can your host family and put them together in an album. There are several websites that can do this. Another way is the to print every photo out and put all together in an album book. Walmart or CVS Photo can help you this. Write something on some photos or at the end of the album and thank you host. They will sure love this :)

5. Gifts

Gifts are always the best classical way to show love, and they come in all forms. You can bring something from your country; something you make yourself; something you think your hosts would enjoy; something relating to the family jokes; something that goes with seasonal holidays; etc. These little things will leave your ‘footprint’ everywhere in the house and in your host’s experience.

6. Movie nights

Fun, quick, easy - just sit down and watch a movie together. Share the thought afterward. This is perfect for bonding when you all are busy and need relaxing.

7. Game nights

Another fun and easy way to deepen the relationship. The United States doesn't lack games at all. Board games, card games, etc. Plan on learning some of these games and have fun with you host family, because who doesn’t have fun with games?

8. Outdoor activities

The ‘big projects’ for bonding and experience, outdoor activities here refer to any type of big activity outside the house - camping, hiking, traveling, etc and etc. This is a big time to have fun together, and often everyone is exhausted at the end of the day.

9. Just hang out

Yup. Easy. Just hang out. Go shopping together. Visit a relative together. Have tea time. Create and join some small activities to understand one another better. Don’t just hide yourself in your room forever, because you need to be a part of the family first.