1.  You are out of work and tired of searching for a job that just doesn’t exist.  You should think about diversifying your experiences by exchanging services for a free homestay abroad.

2.  If you look at your bank account and feel your stomach sink, while hearing yourself say “oh my God what am I going to do”, then maybe you should think about the benefits of spending zero dollars on rent and utilities by participating in a homestay.

3.  You are stuck in a job that is barely bearable, but you don’t want to become one of the thousands of Americans unemployed.  You could trade in your cubicle for a laptop on the beach by searching for a beach homestay in Latin America or Asia.

4.  You just graduated from college and you’re not quite ready to jump into the “real” working world with 30-minute power lunches and afternoon staff meetings.  Instead, you’d like to explore life in a foreign country where working 10 hours a week and a free beach homestay give you the life of a king or queen.

5. You love to travel but do not have the funds to keep going around the world without stopping for a while and building up your savings.  Exchanging English lessons for a free homestay can allow you the freedom to work with limited living expenses and get on the road again!

We all have our reasons why a trip abroad appeals to us.  However, many of us are turned away by the uncertainties of finding a place to stay, making ends meet and starting a new life in a foreign land.  A homestay abroad can help take away most of the initial stress of moving abroad.  By planning a homestay before you leave, you will arrive and already have shelter, a place to cook meals and somewhere to feel safe.  Most families will be happy to help you find a job and make friends with locals your own age.  Living with a local family will open you up to the intimate details of the new culture you are exploring.  I have found that homestays have been the most rewarding experiences of my travels and have erased the loneliness that I sometimes feel abroad, thousands of miles away from close friends and family.