AISG Opinions on Homestaying

AISG often travels for events such as APAC and Tricities and during the trips, students are either hosting or being hosted by a fellow APAC player. Our teams are filled with members of great talent. One of our tennis players, Boon Yang Koh (Grade 11), gives us an insight on his homestays for APAC Tennis as he explains that they are, “good [but], sometimes it can get awkward since the homestay doesn’t get to know you until the they arrive.” He explains that students, “also get too nervous to communicate with [each other], especially if the homestay is less outgoing than [the other].” He further claims, “To be honest, sometimes, I would prefer to stay in hotels, but for some families who want to spend less on their kids doing sports trips, I think that being a homestay is better.” Is this an aspect for homestays that schools should, collectively, take into consideration? It seems that many students believe that there may be an option for students to stay in a specific hotel rather than with another family. Homestays are known to be a good way to communicate and meet students from other schools in other cities or countries. If staying in a hotel was an option, would that mean for a communication barrier to be put between APAC players? A junior, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that, “I have had other students from other schools stay at my house due to APAC and some of them did express to me that they would have preferred staying in a hotel because of the constant pressure of being in front of another family.” Perhaps, it’s important for APAC students to feel comfortable after a tiring day of competing with other students, despite of the sport played.

However, most students’ experiences at homestays so far have been quite memorable. Giving us information from the girls soccer team is Amanda Da Costa (Grade 11), who appreciated the concept of hosting, “because it is a way of getting to know people from other schools and an opportunity to talk to different families and getting involved with the APAC community.” She agrees with the previous anonymous student by explaining how “you do have more privacy while staying at a hotel and you aren’t a burden to the family,” as it may be, “a little awkward being hosted by someone younger or older, or extremely shy.” Amanda, personally, “like[s] hosting for the sports that [she has] participated in.” She feels that the people she meets through hosting are, “nice and it is a good experience as there is a chance of meeting them in various tournaments.” However, she has her doubts, “when they stay in [her] room, [she does] get worried at times about it getting messy, but the experience so far was tidy. I wouldn’t want them to be in a hotel as then that would only limit them to knowing those who play on the team. I feel like it is a “perk” for meeting new people.” The comfort zones for every individual vary, therefore it is a rigorous task to make sure you are welcoming, or if you are a homestay to be considerate of the cultural background of the house and their routine.

Soccer team player Regina Kim (Grade 11) has her views and experience to share from this. “I think that hosting is better than booking hotels as it isn’t as safe and there isn’t any security provided to the school. Being a homestay is a way of getting closer to people not only during the games but to bond outside as well. I worry a lot about not knowing the people who are staying over, as the only information given is their name. It takes time get to know them, but I never felt like I didn’t want to host. So far, it has given me good memories. When being hosted, I feel the need to be more careful than when hosting as it is a new environment and difficult to adapt to the family’s routine.” Overall it can be seen that our students are very reflective in regards to hosting, although some would still prefer staying in hotels.