Bonjour,
Now that you have made it through orientation it is time to go and meet your host family. This post will have lots of references to France, yet it can apply to anyone going to any country.
So here are four tips on your first encounter with your family.
1. Take a deep breath.
I know I have said this in almost every post about your first on exchange yet it is so true. You just have to get your nerves out and not be worried of making a bad first impression. The more you think you will mess up the better chance you have of messing up. Just take a deep breath and go with the flow.
2. Find out the greeting for your country.
When arriving at your the train station or wherever your host family will be picking you up, research how to greet them. In France they kiss each cheek and some region more than others. So when I met my host family I greeted them with the two kisses on the cheek. So find out what your new country does so you don’t end up going for a kiss on the cheek and they go for just a plain hug.
3. Silence is okay.
On the car ride home, no matter how long, don’t worry if you never say a word. They just like you may be a little stuck on what to say. So if you have a hour car ride like me, don’t worry if you are just taking in the new scenery rather than having a full blown conversation. This doesn’t mean your host family doesn’t like you or you will not have a good connection with them, just an awkward hour in the car.
4. Go with the flow.
Don’t have too many expectations. Just see what they are doing when you arrive at their house and go with it. Be open to doing whatever they have planed that day. You don’t need to rush to give them you host gift, just ask them when a good time is and then do it then.
I hope this helps to calm your nerve when meeting you host family!
à bientôt
xoxo Gina