Back in 2013, I got the opportunity to go on a trip to France through my high school. The trip was amazing to say the absolute least. I got to see the Eiffel Tower at night, the beaches of Normandy, and fall in love with the gorgeous culture and beautiful language I had spent the last few years prior to this trip learning. This three-week adventure constantly felt awe-inspiring and completely mind-blowing, but the best week of the three was by far the one where I received the opportunity to stay with a host family in a smaller village about an hour outside of Paris. Through my kind and generous host family who so graciously welcomed me into their home, I discovered what it is like to live the French life and culture daily. So, here are five things that I gained from staying with a host family:
1. Better grasp of the language
After I returned from France, I had a better grasp of the language. Living with a French family, and being surrounded by Francophones, definitely benefits someone wanting to eventually be fluent. Although I wasn't able to understand everything people spoke to me, my very patient host family helped me to develop an ear for French so I could practice picking out words and short phrases I knew for sure that would later give me the confidence to respond with what I believed was correct. Even if I wasn't always right, I never would have gotten to that point if it weren't for this experience.
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2. International connection/perspective
When you read about different cultures around the world that you have never experienced, you only comprehend so much of that culture. But there is so much more to it than that. All across the world, there are people living their lives as they always have. By getting to peek into someone else's life, you gain a new perspective. Now whenever I hear a news story or something happening in Europe, I think of my family there. Experiencing life in another place connects us.
3. Experience I will never forget
Without my host family, I would have never known that you can buy double-yolk eggs by the dozen (they were a little confused by my excitement when we cracked four double-yolk eggs in a row. (It's supposed to mean good luck). I would never have been to an international zoo that showcased the American Racoon. I would never have gone shopping with a bunch of local girls my age. I would never have witnessed the immense depth of history that lies around ever corner of France's streets.
4. Complete cultural immersion
You can study or read something all you want, but you will never truly know something until you have experienced it firsthand and lived and breathed it. This family stay gave me total cultural immersion. I was able to live the French life through them, and that is something I will never take for granted.
5. New family members
When it's all said and done, no matter how much fun I had, no matter how well I can speak the language or what I did, after this trip I gained new family members. These people welcomed me into their home and their lives, and I will be forever grateful.
If you ever have the option of staying with a host family--even if only for a week, like my experience--take it. There is no alternative to living the culture and language that you desire to learn. Learning in a classroom or through books can give you valuable knowledge and understanding, but living and breathing something will give you wisdom and experience--things you can never learn in a classroom.
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