International Students Find A Home At Bloomfield College

Over the past 14 years, Bloomfield College’s Office of International Training and Professional Studies (ITPS) has hosted over 4,000 International Students. Many of the students stay in dorms and other housing provided by The College. However, hundreds of students every year stay with local families as part of an International Home Stay program. Homestay is one of the housing options available to international students at Bloomfield College and ITPS works very closely with local families to ensure that each student’s room is comfortable and secure. The families offering their house as a homestay are typically not doing it for financial gain, however homestay families receive $500 per month for hosting an international student.

Currently, there are 50 families in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, and Montclair who are hosting international students. Hosting international students has a rich heritage in the United States, from before the Fulbright-Hays act of 1961 through present day. In that same spirit, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recorded a special video discussing cultural exchanges, the need for hosting, and the benefits it brings the host families, the United States, and the entire world. Many of the host families find the cross-cultural experience rewarding and fun.

Staying with a local family allows an international student to learn about local culture and life. In most cases a student can spend evenings and free time with their host family. Living with a host family can help international students experience local cuisine, as well as find out about events in New Jersey and New York that most tourists and other visitors to this area will be unaware of. Additionally, host families can serve as tour guides and give students tips on how to get by in their new environment.

Also, international students often find that a great way to learn a new language is to be fully submersed into that language. In a homestay program, an international student can speak in English most of the time. This allows international students to improve their language skills. Host family usually are happy to help students practice skills.

Finally, homestay programs are a great way for international students to make new friends, as in most cases, homestay families have children themselves, often around the same age as the students they are hosting. Homestay families also provide a good support system for international students who are far from home, and friendships are often formed between hosts and students that last a lifetime.

To learn more about Bloomfield College’s Homestay program contact Rachel Babich at 973-748-9000 ext. 1480 or Daniel Gerger at ext. 1438.