The other day Ali asked me if I knew of anyone else who provided homestay. He has a friend who is interested. I checked the posting for one other person in Columbia, but he/she host females, so I mentioned to Ali that his friend could put a post on Craigslist requesting homestay.
Yesterday Ali told me his friend put a listing on Craigslist and was contacted by a woman who wanted to have sex with him. All I could do was shake my head, roll my eyes, and think "Only in America...." But probably not.
People seeking homestay hosts need to be extremely careful. Hosts can post their homes almost anywhere. Here are a few tips when considering hosts in the U.S.
1. Google the host's name and city to find out what you can about the person. Just make sure you are reading about the person you are researching and not someone with the same name.
2. Check the local Internet listing for people in the town or city who have been convicted of a sexual offense. By googling "sex offenders in (name of city)", you can find out who has been convicted of what kind of crime and where they live.
3. Have at least two visits with the host, preferably in person, and always take someone with you.
One visit should be at the home, of course, but another should be for coffee or a meal somewhere.
If you aren't in the U.S., visit by Skype or Google Talk. Ask for pictures of the home and the neighborhood.
4. Don't be afraid to ask for personal references. These might be friends, relatives, or neighbors of the host. They could also be former guests. Your hosts are real people, not TV land characters of the perfect American family. By the way, there is no such thing. They may bicker among each other, have annoying habits, be messy, and have pet peeves. Here's a good example: I value planning and punctuality. I've learned that in some cultures, planning is very "last minute," and plans can change easily. This can drive me crazy at times, but we all try to keep a sense of humor. I've had to become a bit more flexible...and my guests have been kind enough to try to accommodate my needs more. As Ali said recently, "I told my friends we had to make a plan. I'm trying to be like Americans...ha ha ha." He has such a great sense of humor...and he's also very kind and understanding.
5. Trust your gut feelings. If there's anything about the hosts or the hone that makes you uncomfortable,
thank them for their time and tell them you have decided on a different option.
Safety and common sense first, when seeking a homestay host. Good luck!!
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