<p>I will be going to either Chile, Argentina, or Peru next spring (Fall in SA, and probably Argentina), and am unsure as to whether or not I should stay in a dorm with other students, or do a homestay. </p>
<p>I know that homestays are the best source of "immersion" but I'd like to be mindful of the fact that it might not work out or be as pleasant an experience as I'd hoped (i.e., it's all chance). Given the fact that I'll be there for several months, that would be no fun. Also, though I'm not disrespectful, I do like to party and don't want to have to worry about rules that may or may not be too strict (For example: bringing someone back to the room with me at the end of a night)- in essence, I wouldn't want to have to feel like a high school kid dodging his parents when I'm around my homestay family. </p>
<p>A dorm, then, is what I'm leaning towards, but am wondering if people who have done both can enlighten me about the experience (especially the homestay experience). </p>
<p>Thought I give you a little help. My daughter did a home stay in Argentina. She lived with an older woman and it worked out great. She had her own room and she never felt like she was treated like a high schooler. Just the opposite- it is the norm there to go out late at night and stay out very late on the weekends. She never brought anyone home with her (at least I’m pretty sure she didn’t) and went to the bars and to other peoples’ homes. She felt that a home stay really enriched her experience and that she got a better understanding of life in Argentina and greatly improved her language skills. And that is why she went there- not so much to party.</p>
<p>Usually your program will do its best to match you with a family who you’ll get along with. I’ve gone abroad twice, and stayed with two different host families. I loved my first one, and they became my home away from home. I loved spending time with them. The second one and I were less compatible, but that’s just normal. Basically, they’re supposed to treat you like an adult, and not like their child, and typically don’t impose any rules on students. You’ll learn more of the language in a host family. Hope that helps!</p>