Here are some tips for you:
1) Communicate! Please talk about everything and be open with your host family. For example, tell them about your school life, where you are going, and what time you will return. Make a point to discuss host family rules, and schedules (such as when you can take a bath) right away.
2) Ask Questions. When in doubt, ask your host family for help. You might not understand everything at first, but your host family wants to help. You might feel less independent in the beginning, but these feelings will go away eventually. Don’t hesitate, or feel it is impolite to ask many questions. This is normal.
3) Discuss Issues. Sometimes there will be small problems adjusting for you and your host family. It is important to talk about these frustrations even if they seem small. Always talk to your host family first about any problems. If you become sick, tell your host family right away.
4) Allow adjustment time. You may form an image of your host family within the first couple of days that isn’t accurate. Your host family might take you sightseeing, fix special foods, or be extra polite when you first arrive. Little by little, you and your host family will feel more comfortable around each other and act naturally.
5) Participate in Family Life. Don’t hide in your room. If you are feeling homesick, hiding in your room will only make it worse. Have fun with your host family, and share in evening or weekend activities.
6) Keep an Open Mind. Look at differences as new and fun experiences. This is your chance to try many new things that you might not be able to do in your home country. Take advantage of the opportunity!
7) Be polite and friendly. This is important. You might not talk very much with your family in your home country, but if you shut yourself off from your host family they will assume that you are homesick or unhappy. When you like something, be sure you tell them. A “thank you” and a smile can go a long way!
8) Help with Housework and Chores. Seriously, you would be surprised at how much an offer to do the dishes will mean to your host family.
Remember, your host family will also be nervous, especially if it is their first time hosting. They worry about whether you like the food or their family. If you are open and friendly, you will help to put them at ease. At the end of your stay, you will probably find that you do not want to leave!

The benefits of studying abroad are multiple.

 Here are some that you may want to consider:

• Develop and improve new language skills.
• Immerse yourself in a new culture and way of living.
• Become more independent.
• Gain a new perspective of your country, the destination country and the world while appreciating diversity.
• Find a family, make new friends and establish international friendships that could last a lifetime.

Usually, students bring a small gift from their home country to their host family but it is not mandatory at all. It should not be a high-value gift but something typical of your country and culture.

If your child plans on taking electronic devices with him/her, you should check if he/she will need an adapter and buy one if he/she does.

A small, two-entry language dictionary may be very useful (must-have!), as well as a travel book of the city/area, with a plan.

Participant must be aware that they are responsible for the handling of their luggage. We advise you to travel with light luggage.

Aside from essential documents (passport and travel information), school supplies, and a photo album from home, we suggest reviewing the local weather for the time your child will spend abroad so he can adapt his clothes and bring what is necessary.

Take your most important belongings with you on board (hand luggage): necessary drugs if you are sick on board or have medical treatment; acceptance letters, passport, visa papers, and insurance certificate, details of your host family and/or of the person who is supposed to pick you up at arrival, emergency phone number for the program, electronic devices like camera and music devices, jewels if any, glasses, etc.​

Students attending a High School exchange program are expected to follow the host family and school rules and attend school daily.

They are not allowed to drive, smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs during the time he/she participates in the exchange program.

The student will be helped by our local representative and his/her host family to visit a local doctor and get the necessary medical treatment. If hospitalization, surgery, or repatriation is needed, the insurance should be first informed.

If necessary, our team at the headquarters located in France, which delivers a 24-hour emergency service, 365 days a year, may assist you. The phone number of this service will be given to you before the student’s departure.

Please be sure to have a medical insurance. We can provide you with one, for an additional cost. Ask us for more information about the insurance policy!

Your child’s trip abroad will be a rewarding experience, but he/she has to be ready to change his/her way of life for some time and toadapt to the host family.

Here aresome tips to check if your child is ready for this challenge:

• He/She is the one who wants to participate in thestudy abroad program. Never force your child to go abroad if he/she doesn’t want to! At best he/she won’t enjoy his/her trip as much as if he/she would have decided him/herself. At worst he/she will be repelled by his/her language studies back home!
• He/She showsinterest and curiosity about the language or the countryhe/she is going to visit.
• He/She isindependent enoughto be able to cope with problems that may occur (flight delays, loss of luggage, waiting time…), or with homesickness (has he/she already been far away from home? How did he/she cope with that?)
• He/She ismature enough. In some of our programs, supervision is high, and activities are planned all day long. But in others, students are less supervised and must be mature and responsible enough to behave according to the program’s rules and to find occupations.
  

If you are not sure if your child is ready or not, we can advise you!Meet the teamof Nacel! 

Homesickness may happen to everyone, even people who have already been abroad without having faced any problems before. To prevent homesickness, keep in touch with your child, but not too much/too often (see below), and follow our preparation tips. If it is your child’s first experience abroad, a short-term experience would probably be the best choice for you to make, so that your child can “test” himself/herself.

The purpose of most of our programs is the immersion in another country’s language and culture. During the first days, it is normal if your child feels a bit homesick, and too frequent communication with his/her natural parents could delay his/her integration into the host country. 

You can suggest she/he get involved in local activities, clubs, and sports to help her/him make friends with similar interests.