living with a host familyliving with a host family
In both locations, students reside individually in host families with whom CIEE has had a relationship for many years. During the first part of the program, in Sevilla , participants will reside be placed with volunteer host families. Given the mild climate, Sevilla is a city where walking is easy and enjoyable and students are able to walk to class. If the host family is not located in the city center, students must be willing to take public transportation when necessary. In Santiago, students live in Dominican private homes and are provided three meals a day, seven days per week. Homestays provide students with an unparalleled opportunity for language acquisition, cultural immersion and local community involvement. The Gap Year Abroad program adheres to a high standard of cultural immersion and expects students to respect and engage with the host family, affectively, and intellectually.
Host families are volunteers who have expressed their desire to share their culture and daily life with our students. CIEE defines hosts as single parents, couples with or without children, or retired persons, without restriction as to race, color, religion, economic status, or geographical location. We ask that you be open minded about your host family placement. We trust our partners abroad to match you to your host family. Only in exceptional situations will host family placements be changed prior to departure.