What to give my host family for study abroad?

Applying to College
1

I’m studying abroad in France for a semester and currently deciding on what to buy my host family. I won’t know who my host family is until I arrive there though.

I’m thinking about buying my host family some food, such as nuts, smoked salmon, tea, and jam (since that’s what my city is known for) as well as a calander with photos of the city I live in. I am also thinking about buying a few other things possibly. Is this a good group of presents for my host family, even though it will primarily be food?

2

Yes, what your city, and maybe a bit of what your country, is known for is a good idea. Certainly some non-food like maybe a mug or another knick-knack, or a T-shirt from a local college or other attraction.

If you know where you are staying in France, you might look for something that they don’t often get there.

Don’t break the bank though. Good luck on your semester abroad!

3

Ds1 bought a tea towel with our state flower on it, a magnet from our state, I think, and something else.

Ds2 took a dish with icons from our state, a deck of cards with state emblems on it (can be used by all ages) and then candy, because he was told by a family here that that’s the thing all guests there give each other.

Tokens that represent your state or area are the way to go (little Statue of Liberty from NY, Space Needle from Seattle). I don’t know whether you’ll have issues taking some food stuffs overseas.

Have fun! My ds2 just landed this morning for his semester abroad.

4

I suspect that importing smoked salmon is going to be illegal! In general, fresh fruit, vegetables and meat cannot cross borders (within the EU it’s ok. From England to France for example).

I think food is a bad idea because you don’t know what your host family will like (and they WON’T like American chocolate. Don’t even go there). I recommend the non-food suggestions already listed above.

5

Buy them something you think they haven’t had before? Something native from your country. I think your host family would love that.

6

I agree with @Cold25 . Bringing them something from your home country can be heartwarming to them. Maybe something personal might do the same trick. Personal, meaning something you yourself made :slight_smile:

7

I agree with @Cold25 . Bringing them something from your home country can be heartwarming to them. Maybe something personal might do the same trick. Personal, meaning something you yourself made :slight_smile: