March 13, 2017
We’ve been extremely fortunate in that a multitude of families have welcomed us into their lives for a homestay experience. We spend our days here in Lund at the LBS school attending classes, learning about the education system, and gaining an overall better perspective of school in Sweden, then we travel home in the evenings with our host siblings. For all of us this includes either a walk, a bike ride, a trip on the bus or train, or even a combination of these ways of transportation to reach the houses. Some of which are located up to an hour outside the main city. We have all experienced very different, yet all exciting, journeys with our homestay families, so we decided it would be fitting to share some of our own personal stories for this blog post. - Ivy M.
I love that my family spends time with me to get to know me. Also that we eat dinner together every night and play card games after. - Rachel S.
My host family loves rock and metal and so last night we played Guitar Hero together and had lots of fun. It is very interesting getting to know what it’s like having to take the bus for an hour and a half to school every day. - Jahan S.
Our family had been so incredibly welcoming and kind to us! Last night our host mom made us traditional philipino food that was so amazing. After enjoying our meal we took part in an after dinner fikka in which we played with their parrot “keivi” and discussed American politics and society. I though it was really interesting to be able to hear their opinions on system and overall discuss the different components of American society. and all my questions, as well as eager to learn about Colorado. I feel very very welcome here with them and have enjoyed every delicious home-cooked meal. - Hannah T.
I feel like I am really connecting with my host family. It is easy to talk to them and we laugh all the time. - Hannah L.
My family and I are having a lot of fun together learning about each other’s lives! Yesterday we went bowling, prepared a traditional dinner of Swedish meatballs, had fika together. - Bryn W.
The family I’m with is fantastically kind and personal. They’ve made my stay incredibly comfortable, and I feel like a part of the family! Also, we’ve had Kebab pizza, which was something I didn’t expect but very much enjoyed! Swedish pizza is very different. - James K.
Interesting things about home stays:
As public health care workers, my host parents are paying taxes for around 60%, but they are happy and satisfied with the policies and their government’s work. It is very interesting sharing ideas with my homestay dad, who is a surgeon. We talked for three hours last night on topics ranging from Swedish healthcare to American politics. - Victor W.
My homestay brother, Joakim, and I, rode bikes all around the local neighborhoods and explored the area. We also went to the city center of Malmö and had a really good burger and steak dinner with his family. - Jake J.
This home stay has been filled with adventure! We have traveled to Malmö and explored the town we live in, Eslöv. The food and family has been amazing! Not to mention the excitement and somewhat anxiety behind learning how to use the metro and bus! - Jaydi S.
My homestay has helped me feel right at home here in Sweden. While they aren’t generally accustomed to eating vegetarian meals, they have been extremely accommodating, and making a tomato sauce for the pasta with my host sister was an adventure in and of itself. One of my favorite moments thus far has been playing a game of Uno with my family and exchanging different cultural aspects, including sharing our version of the alphabet song. - Ivy M.
My favorite part of his day so far has been traveling to school and all around the area with my host brother. We’ve done a lot of biking and writing, and I’m starting to learn my way around! - Bee F.
My family has been so incredibly welcoming and kind to us! Last night our host mom made us traditional Philipino food that was so amazing. After enjoying our meal we took part in an after dinner fika, in which we played with their parrot “keivi” and discussed American politics and society. I though it was really interesting to be able to hear their opinions on system and overall discuss the different components of American society. - Elena M-V
I was very surprised to find that my homestay brother is just like me. We have similar interest and lifestyles, too. This makes the homestay experience really incredible; I feel like I’m at home. - Hayden G.
I love my homestay family. My host mom is vegan and gets me to try all kinds of food. I am so happy, even with my 30 minute walk to school. - Ethan T.
My host sister has a little sister and little brother, who has autism and a lot of energy. I’ve enjoyed communicating with him in Spanish! We went to the grocery store last night and played in the park on the way home. - Lillian N.
At my home stay, I’ve learned that in Sweden, students have much more free time and spend time with their friends almost every day, which is hard to imagine from a very busy American student’s perspective. It’s interesting to compare their school with ours, because I would say that their attitude is very relaxed towards school. I think that both systems have their advantages and disadvantages and it’s interesting to compare them. - Sarah W.
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