Independent Homestay in India (Ages 18+)

India is a huge country over one third the size of the US. There are many sights to see and things to learn in India, and through our homestay program your host family will teach you the culture, customs, and history of India in a personal and unique way. With a flexible structure, this program is especially fitting for those who wish to immerse themselves in Indian culture without having every moment planned for them.

Many families in India have three generations of family living in the same home. Living in a multi-generational household gives you insight into the profound changes India has gone through in the past century.

Locations
Host family placements may occur throughout India. While we are unable to guarantee your requests, we will do our best to accommodate them.

Accommodation and Meals
Indian families are very diverse, there are several different languages and religions throughout the regions of India, and family life will largely depend on where you are placed in India. No matter where you are dinner is an important meal and your host family will prepare many delicious dishes for the family dinner.

Host families represent all walks of life, just like families from your home country. Our partner office maintains a network of trained local coordinators who select, screen, and monitor host families to help make a placement that is appropriate for you.

Within each family you will experience a different dynamic, but they are all motivated by the idea of making cross-cultural friendships. They will be eager to learn about you and your culture and are excited to teach you about their own. Your host family placement will include full board (3 meals per day).

Activities and Sightseeing
India is a diverse country with an endless amount of sights to see. Your family may plan sightseeing excursions for you on some days, and you might find yourself enthralled with the “Bollywood” entertainment of TV soaps and epic movies many families throughout India enjoy watching. Festivals are central to Indian culture, so be prepared for large city-wide celebrations of various religious and national holidays!

Families do not expect for you to be just a boarder, but rather a friend and a part of their family. While the main focus of the program will be getting to know your host family and spending time with them, you will have the chance to see local attractions as well. Exploring the community in which you live can be a great way to further your knowledge of the local culture and language. However, you should feel comfortable traveling on your own, as host families are not required or expected to be tour guides.

Local Support
Greenheart Travel always provides you with a thorough network of support before departure and during their time abroad. You will be provided with pre-departure orientation materials that will walk you through every step of your program. You will also have a local coordinator available to you throughout your stay to help with any difficulties or questions. He or she is trained to work with exchange participants and is there to help you make the most of your experience.

Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements must be booked according to Greenheart Travel instructions. Booking travel is your responsibility, but we are more than happy to help you figure out the best way to get to your host community. Some placements are within a reasonable driving distance from t he central airport, making it easy to hop in a cab that will take you to your new home. In most cases you will need to take a train or public bus to your host community. Greenheart Travel can arrange for a local coordinator to meet you at the airport and make sure you get on the correct train or bus. However, you should be prepared to make some transfers independently.

Dates
The homestay program in India can range from 1-4 weeks, and you may set your own start and end dates throughout the year.

Requirements
Applicants must be 18 years or older. As there are so many different languages and dialects in India, there is no language requirement.

Program Costs 

Included	Not Included
Lodging	Airfare
Full Board (3 meals/day)	In country transportation
Medical/Accident Insurance	Phone cards/internet
Local Coordinator	Sightseeing activities
24 Emergency Staff	Souvenirs
Pre-departure Orientation

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.