I heard of a situation where the host family promised a clean and comfortable living environment but it was the opposite. The room given to the student was dirty and full of bugs. The heating didn't work during the cold winter months either. And on top of that, the family members were always arguing loudly, creating a very tense and unpleasant atmosphere for the student who was trying to study and adapt to a new country.
There was a student who had a host family that was constantly arguing. Screaming matches were a daily occurrence. It made the student feel very uncomfortable and unsafe. There was also a lack of proper food as the family was too preoccupied with their own problems to cook proper meals for the student.
Students should do thorough research before choosing a host family. They can look for reviews from previous students who stayed with the family. Also, they can communicate a lot with the host family in advance. For example, ask about their daily routines, rules, and living conditions. If something seems off during these communications, it's a red flag.
I once stayed with a host family in France. They were so warm - hearted. The family lived in a small but cozy house near a vineyard. Every morning, the host mother would make delicious croissants. They also took me to local festivals where I experienced the unique French culture, like folk dancing and wine tasting. It was an unforgettable experience that made me fall in love with France even more.
If you want to study modern literature, studying abroad might be a good choice. In this way, he would be able to come into contact with more cultural and literary knowledge and expand his horizons and way of thinking. However, before studying abroad, one needed to make sufficient preparations and plans, including choosing a suitable school and major, understanding the local culture and customs, and handling all kinds of necessary procedures and visas. At the same time, he also needed to make financial preparations to ensure that he could afford the cost of studying abroad and living expenses.
One horror story could be a host family that was extremely strict about food. They made the AFS student follow a very restricted diet without considering the student's own preferences or cultural food habits. For example, not allowing the student to eat any snacks from their home country, which made the student feel isolated and deprived.
In my host family in Spain, the most interesting part was the flamenco dance. My host family was really into it. They took me to a local flamenco show. The passionate dancing and the rhythmic music were so captivating. And then, they taught me some basic flamenco steps at home. It was a lot of fun trying to move my body in that energetic way.