When looking to get out of the country, for whatever reason, you may be surprised at how well a homestay may fit into your plans. Instead of going on a vacation, where you're stuck in the persona of a tourist, you sit on your butt at a resort, you don't learn much, and you spend a small fortune, you can cut costs and grow tremendously by opting for a homestay or home exchange program.

It may seem farfetched at first... why would someone just let me stay with them for no money? However, the fact is that your services, teaching English, watching the kids, or doing householf chores will be incredibly valuable to the family you stay with. When you find a host, you have the opporunity of a lifetime that will stick with you much longer than the memory of an ordinary vacation.

Price

This is the most obvious benefit of a homestay. In these troubling economic days, everyone is looking to pinch pennies, and save wherever they can. Unfortunately, that largely cuts into vacation expenditure. There is though, the FREE housing option of a homestay. You don't have to be rich or retired to see the world anymore. It's kind of a no brainer.

Culture

At the resort, you really don't interact with anyone other than your own kind. Of course, you might make your waiter laugh at a corny joke, or say thank you to your hotel housekeeper, or get fooled into thinking you get a bargain from local merchant, but you really don't get to experience the people of the area. On homestay, you're living amongst them. The complete cultural immersion can give you new insights and perspectives on the wolrd. You couldn't get that from fancy resort, no matter how much you pay.

Language

As you're living with these people, you will have no option but to pick up on their language. Learning another language is one of the most rewarding academic and social goals one can accomplish, as it literally opens up a whole world of communication lines. Breaking down a language barrier can help you abroad in an infinite amount of ways. From getting a fair price on a lampshade, to learning a traditional song, to reading the local news with complete literacy, it will make your experience tremendously more enjoyable and genuine.

Opportunity

While you're abroad on a homstay, you have a number of chances to make money, or even a career if you are there long term. In nations that have a healthy business relationship with America, native English-speakers are extremely valuable, and you will have no problem finding a job. Building up international contacts gives you an unmatchable network of relationships and possibilities.

Experience

Last, but perhaps the best part of a homestay, is the experience you gain and the memories you create. There is no substitute for experiencing an entirely different lifestyle for a period of time. Such a diverse and enlighting time will give you countless stories to share with anyone you talk to in the future. When that oh-so-common travel conversation comes up, think about you're bragging possibilities. You weren't only there, you were there.