<p>One thing I’ll share in the hope it might help someone else avoid a problem in the future - DD studied abroad in an inaugural uni-to-uni exchange program, and since it was the inaugural, the director at the hosting university offered his home as a sponsor family, and DD as the most advanced student was paired with them. </p>
<p>It was a disaster - they were a much older childless couple (60’s), and expected DD to socialize with them constantly, and the “mother” got rather passive-aggressive when DD wanted to sight-see or go out with friends and so on.</p>
<p>The wife, particularly, became increasingly irritated DD sharing her home, and so there were incidents like when “mommy-dearest” spent 2 hours following DD around the house, berating her for her “irresponsibility” for dog-earing a page in a paperback book she’d borrowed, the constant reminders of her failings, like the 2 times she failed to hang up her towels to dry, and often said things that began “You Americans …” (they were from the former East Germany, and a Stasi background wasn’t out of the question), and of course, her frequent attempts to “help” DD by pointing out her faults, and what she should do to fix them. The professor was nicer, but distant, and these things never happened in his presence, so from his perspective, there was no need to intervene. </p>
<p>So, while the majority of the trip was wonderful, it was a relief when it was over. </p>
<p>I suspect this couple would never participate again, and most, if not all of the other host families were younger, friendlier, and far less rigid than these - but personally, I’d think it’s less risky for programs with communal living arrangements, or at least with host families that have participated before (would be nice for students to be able to check host family “references”, especially before committing, but that’s not gonna happen.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, the jaw-dropping behaviors of some American college girls I’ve seen in Italy makes me think they should be locked in their rooms at dusk … :)</p>
<p>So, I’d stick with programs that have been around for awhile and where you can check with previous years’ participants. While “new” sounds good, I’ve come to believe that, as it relates to education (not just “Study Abroad”), more established programs seem a better way to go.</p>