Guidelines for Students Living in a Host Family
This is the document we give students who have chosen family accommodation:
Rooms
The student's room is for their exclusive use (unless they have asked
to share). It should be well lit (by natural or artificial lighting)
and furnished with a bed, a wardrobe, a bedside table with a lamp and
a table or desk. If it is not possible to have a table or desk inside
the bedroom the host family must offer a suitable part of the house
as the student's place of study.
Students have a right to intimacy and their rooms are private. The family must knock at all times before entering.
The bed sheets and the towels will be changed each week. Some families may change the towels more frequently. The family does not supply beach towels and students should not use the house towels to go to the beach.
Students should keep their room tidy to make the daily cleaning easier. Once a week the room will be thoroughly cleaned.
If the student doesn't make their bed, the family will do it for them if requested.
Other facilities
Not many families have air-conditioning. If students feel hot, the family
may be able to provide them with a fan.
Students may also be allowed to use the washing facilities themselves.
Students are allowed a daily shower and should inform the family at what time they prefer to take it.
Students booked in host family accommodation will normally have to share the bathroom with the other members of the family. They should therefore be considerate about the time they take. Fifteen minutes should be enough to wash and shave.
Meals
Breakfast is Mexican style: coffee or tea, fruit juice, milk, toast
with butter and marmalade or jam or cheese, yogurt, cereal or fruit.
If you have special dietary needs please inform the school and the family
as soon as possible.
Students who have booked half board can expect a substantial dinner in the evening. This will normally consist of a starter, (vegetables, soup, salad, or rice), a main dish (chicken, meat, fish or eggs) and a dessert (yogurt, fruit etc.) Most meals will include tortillas or bread. Students who choose not to be at home for dinner (having booked half board) or who plan to arrive later than usual, should tell their family beforehand. If they decide to miss a meal they will not be compensated or reimbursed.
Half-board consists of breakfast and dinner, never lunch.
Part of the idea of staying with a host family is to eat in their company. Students should therefore try to adapt to the family’s normal eating timetables. Dinner is normally served at about 20.00 - 21.00.
At the weekends students may sleep until as late as they wish, but the family has no obligation to serve breakfast at 12.00!
Students who have asked for a special diet (vegetarian, kosher, etc.) and who are not receiving it, should notify the school so they can check the booking and then speak to the family.
If students buy food and wish to leave it in the fridge, the family will leave some space for them. They should however always check with the family before putting the food in the fridge. Students are not usually allowed to cook in host family houses.
Keys
Students will be given a set of keys on arrival so they can come and
go as they like. Students should look after the keys and never leave
the address on the key tab or near to avoid "unwelcome visitors"
in case of loss or theft. If the keys are lost or
stolen, the family is entitled to charge the student for a new set of
keys.
Being part of the family
Students should be treated as part of the family and be able to talk,
ask questions and be helped with any queries about Spanish or living
in Playa del Carmen. Living in a family will expose students to the
local social and cultural customs and habits. Some may seem strange.
Students should ask about them and try to adapt.
Making a phone call in Mexico is very expensive! Students should never use the host family's phone. If they wish to make a reverse charge call, they should ask permission and the family will dial the number. Incoming calls should be brief. Each family has the right to make their own rules about the use of the phone.
Arrival information
If the students' arrival is significantly delayed or brought forward,
they should try to phone the school or the family to let them know of
the change. If they can't get through to the school or the family, they
should then phone the school's emergency phone number. This will avoid
the family having to wait at home unnecessarily, or avoid the student
having to wait on the street.
>> [ Further arrival information ]
The host family will provide the students with a map of Playa and explain the best way to get to the school from their house.
Other matters
Students should try to take care of the decoration, furniture and utilities
in the house.
Students should turn off lights and other electrical appliances when not in use. Electricity in Mexico is expensive.
Students should consult with their family before inviting friends home. Friends cannot stay for meals or sleep over.
Please note If you should have any problems with your host family, please contact the school staff and we will try to solve them as quickly as possible.
