During the Summer school in Darmstadt students will live with a German host family.

While the students are improving their language skills, this will also give the exchange students an insight into everyday German life. Host families can easily be reached with Darmstadt's public transportation system, which students are free to use as part of their Summerschool registration.

Host Families – What to Expect

Accommodation with the German host family is intended to give you the opportunity to practice your language skills and experience everyday culture first-hand. In order to optimize this experience, we suggest that you plan to spend some time with your host family, whether it be sharing a meal together, visiting a castle or doing sports together. We know that you have many plans during your stay in Germany and encourage you to take advantage of all opportunities, and this includes interaction with host family members.

By sending us a detailed description of yourself and your hobbies and interests, we can best match you a host family where you (and the host family) will feel most comfortable. Summerschool staff have visited with all host families and received a brief description of their interests.

Host families are primarily interested in getting to know you and are looking forward to interacting with you – in German as well as in English! Host families do not see their home as a hotel but at the same time fully understand that you have a busy schedule with the Summerschool and in addition plan to travel with friends or family members. With this in mind, host families also expect that you will want to interact with them as „family“- member.

All host families are responsible for providing you with:

• a dinner
• a room, including a bed and storage space for your personal belongings
• a kitchen to share with other family members, including space in the pantry and refrigerator
• a washing machine where you can wash your own clothes

Host families are not responsible for:

• cooking meals for you (except a dinner), however many families have already expressed interest in doing so.

Each of you will receive a meal card containing enough money for a daily breakfast at the University cafeteria (Mensa). You are responsible for the card and at which meals you choose to use it. Otherwise you are responsible for all meals.

• Washing your clothing, however many host parents may offer to wash for you.

Upon arrival make sure to:

• Ask your host family about guidelines using the telephone, washing machine, or other appliances you may need

As a rule:

• keep your room relatively clean during your stay. It is your personal space, but your host parents should not be expected to clean up after you.
• let your host family know where you are, in case you will not be spending the night at home (a note or quick phone call should suffice)
• turn off lights when you leave a room and watch your use of water. In Germany there is sort of forced environmental consciousness: electricity and water costs are rather high.