Here at Lingoo we believe that travel should be as authentic and as enriching as possible. So here’s five reasons why, when it comes to really experiencing a new country, we think homestays are better than hotels.
1. Understand The Culture
When visiting a new place, especially for a short time, it can be hard to really make a connection with it and get to know its intricacies. However, with a Lingoo homestay, understanding the culture of the country you are visiting will be a main focus of your trip.
Living alongside your homestay host you’ll get to experience what it feels like to actually live there. You can also ask them all the questions you want about the differences, or maybe even similarities between your cultures.
2. Learn The Language
Another focus of a homestay through Lingoo is learning the language of the country you are travelling to. Whether you are just starting out learning a new language or whether you’ve been practicing for a while, your experienced hosts will be on hand to help.
Learning through immersion is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to studying a new language. This is because not only will the language be all around you, there will be much more opportunity for you to practice speaking with native speakers.
3. A Home From Home
Most hotels try their best to make their spaces as homely as possible, however it’s simply not possible to replicate the warm welcome that you will receive from your hosts when organising a homestay through Lingoo.
Before you arrive, you will have spoken with your hosts in detail over our secure messaging system to discuss your interests and the experiences you would like to have during your homestay. Hotels just can’t offer that level of one to one personalisation.
4. Get Off The Beaten Path
When you experience a country through a homestay you are staying in real homes, which are more often than not away from the main tourist hubs. And so you will get to see a much more authentic side of the country and its culture.
Of course, you will still be able to visit tourist attractions and points of interest, but you’ll also be experiencing day to day life. So you very much get the best of both worlds, plus access to cultural gems that many tourists won’t even know about with the guidance of your host.
5. Traditional Homemade Meals
A big part of getting to know a culture is experiencing the different variety of food on offer. Of course you can try this in restaurants while you are staying at a hotel, but we think you’ll agree there’s nothing quite the same as home cooked meals. You will also likely have the opportunity to prepare meals with your host and therefore learn how to cook the dishes yourself so that you can take a piece of the culture home with you. All while practising your language skills of course.
If you think experiencing a country through a homestay and learning the language by being immersed in the culture sounds right up your street, you can read more about homestays with Lingoo here.
