Policies

Minimum Stay

If you will be attending a school on the academic quarter system, you must plan to stay in homestay for a minimum of three months. If you plan to move to an apartment in your first three months, please do not choose homestay.

Vacation Policy

If you want to go out of town while you are living in an ABODE homestay, please follow the guidelines below.

Homestay guests and hosts must discuss vacation plans in advance. Arrangements must be agreeable to both parties. Please allow enough time to make arrangements.
If the homestay guest is on vacation for more than two weeks (14 nights), there is a 50% discount of the nightly rate.
If the homestay guest is gone less than two weeks (14 nights), there is no discount for vacation.
The calculation is based on the number of nights, not days, of absence. The nightly rate is a fixed price determined by ABODE.
By paying the reduced rate, homestay guests can guarantee that their room remains private to them.
If the homestay guest and the host prefer to make the room available to a different homestay guest during the original homestay guest's vacation, all personal belongings must be moved out and stored. In this case, the homestay guest is not required to pay the host during his or her absence. However, if the homestay guest intends to return to the same homestay, the host and the homestay guest should agree firmly to the arrangements in advance. It would not be fair to the host if the homestay guest moved into an apartment shortly after returning from vacation; in that case, the homestay guest should vacate the room before leaving so the host can begin hosting another long term homestay guest.

This policy is revised periodically in an effort to make it fair and understandable for homestay guests and families. Please call us if you need assistance in determining your rate!

Please see Pricing for current rates.

Cancellation Policy

It is our goal that the homestay experience be enjoyable for both the homestay guest and the host. Please communicate with us if there is a problem so that we can resolve it together. We can help you resolve many types of problems, such as misunderstandings, cross-cultural problems, and missed expectations.

If you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve problems with your hosts and would like a new homestay, we will be happy to assist you. We will place you with a different host at no extra charge during the first six months of your homestay. We promise we will not discuss your problems with your host without your permission. We will make an appointment with you to discuss ways to create a successful homestay situation with new hosts. Then, we will make a new placement and arrangements for you to move into your new homestay.

Terms of the Cancellation Policy

The $100 deposit is given to the host as a cancellation fee if the homestay guest cancels the homestay less than two weeks before arrival.
If the homestay guest arrives and stays in the homestay as planned, the $100 is paid to the host as part of the first month's rent. The homestay guest pays the remainder of the first month's rent to the host upon arrival. See Pricing for details.
If you cancel the homestay within the first month (and move to an apartment, for example), there is no refund of the first month's rent. (Please note: if you ask to move to a different homestay because you are not comfortable in the one we chose for you, we will move you as soon as possible, and the remaining month's payment will be forwarded to the new host family.)
If you have been with the hosts for more than 30 days, you must give two weeks' notice before you move out. Two weeks' notice means that the hosts must receive payment for two weeks from the day on which you tell them you are moving out. For example, if you tell your hosts on the 10th day of the month that you are moving out on the 15th of that month, you will still be required to pay a full two weeks' rent at the nightly rate (the equivalent of staying until the 24th). On the other hand, if you have paid for an entire month and given your hosts two weeks' notice, they will refund part of your payment at the nightly rate for any nights already paid.

Minors Policy

Download the full Minor Homestay agreement (pdf).
Download the Minor Medical Release (pdf).

Homestay Agreement

Read the Homestay agreement (part of the Homestay Application).