Why Home Stays?

Experience the Joys and Challenges of Total Immersion

united planet home stay host family

United Planet's Volunteer Abroad Programs offer you the opportunity to become fully immersed in a local community. An important and unique part of this immersion process is living with families in their homes.

United Planet host families are warm, welcoming, and genuinely excited to share their culture with volunteers. In fact, many volunteers say some of their favorite memories are from experiences they had with their host family.

Our host families are chosen because they share United Planet's vision and desire to foster cross cultural understanding.
The families live in safe areas which are conveniently located near volunteer project sites.
Many of our returned volunteers comment that their experience with host families was the most memorable and rewarding part of their trip!
Read on to hear what some of United Planet's volunteers have to say about their home stay experiences…

Sydney Yovic's Host Mother "My host mom is probably the most special woman I have been lucky enough to meet. I was only with her for two weeks, but still I felt as though I learned as much from her as I learned in a semester at college. She will always have a big place in my heart, and she made every single day a dream for me.

"My volunteer experience was the most fulfilling work I have ever been a part of. From the moment my plane landed, I was surrounded by incredibly warm and welcoming people who taught me more than I thought I could possibly learn in 2 short weeks."

--Sydney Yovic, United Planet Volunteer, Chile

"Marlo is like a mother to the volunteers. She's very easy to talk to and is a valuable resource while in Guatemala. You will leave her feeling like family. I loved the eagerness she showed for the volunteers to experience Guatemala. At the end of my time in Xela, she asked me if I had done everything I wanted to do. I had done everything, and much, much more."

--Catherine Brown, United Planet Volunteer, Guatemala

"I enjoyed getting to know the people of Chile. Paul is a good coordinator. I appreciated all that the in-country coordinator did for me. He did a good job of picking my host families.

"They were warm, caring, wonderful people, I really think they’re my family. That’s why I had to go back. I had never felt that kind of love, especially from a group of strangers. They were so encompassing and welcoming.”

On her return trip to Santiago in December 2010, Laurie had the opportunity to stay with her host family for one more week.

--Laurie Lundeen, United Planet Volunteer, Chile

"I met some amazing people and made some great friends. My host family was so friendly and accommodating, and by the end of my quest, I felt like I was a member of their family.

"I learned very quickly "ninapenda embe," which means "I like mango." My host family tried very hard to ensure I had fruit every day. I was so thankful for this.

"I loved my neighborhood. Every day the neighborhood kids and I would play card games that I taught them. I made friends with the boy who lived across from my host family. He speaks very good English. We spent the afternoons talking together and hanging out. I will miss these people so much. It was a nice break from my regular busy "western" life in Canada."

--Mallory Colleta, United Planet Volunteer, Tanzania

"I lived with a host family for the entire 3 months that I was in Peru. They were so welcoming. They had a daughter the same age as me and we became fast friends. They showed me around the city and were very friendly and were always around to talk to and hang out with.

"They made the trip what it was for me. My "mom" also cooked 3 meals a day for us of traditional Peruvian food which was delicious. I am still in contact with them and am already trying to figure out when I can go back to visit."

--Jane Hedrick, United Planet Volunteer, Peru

When asked "what did you enjoy most about your Quest experience?" Katelyn Travers, a United Planet volunteer in Peru, responded "I enjoyed the host family situation the most. They were helpful, nice and fun to live with."

"During my 3 weeks in Cuzco, Peru, I was able to surround myself with the most heartwarming host family. They made me part of the family and looked out for me as a son; always watchful of anything I needed. It was like home; they were constantly looking out for me and just caring for me. My family definitely deserves my most sincere respects and gratitude."

--Luis Elizondo, United Planet Volunteer, Peru

"I had an absolutely amazing time in Guatemala! My host family was so nice, and I was very sad to leave after five weeks. My host mom sometimes gave tours of Salcaja on the weekends, and would suggest fun things to do in the area and come with me."

--Laine Anderson, United Planet Volunteer, Guatemala