Say ¡Hola! to Ana, a mom of three, who with her husband, Paco, has been welcoming students to a homestay in Malaga into her beautiful beachside home in the Pedregalejo neighborhood of Málaga Spain for the past 25 years!
Why Host Students for a Homestay in Malaga?
I became a host mom when my youngest daughter, Marina, was born. I had young children at home, and I needed to stay home to take care of them. I wanted to find a job that would keep me busy while still being able to devote time to my kids, so I decided that hosting language immersion students through a homestay in Malaga would work well for me. Having international students in the home was also a great way to expose my kids to different cultures, so I knew I would not regret my decision.
What is the best thing about being a host mom for students in a homestay and language immersion program?
I love always having somebody at home. Hosting students as part of a homestay in Malaga is like a job but more fun, you get to know so many people from different backgrounds. I love learning about other languages and cultures from my young guests as they learn about mine.
How has your experience been hosting high school and middle school students?
It’s been wonderful! This summer, one of my former host students came to visit me; she had stayed with me more than 15 years ago! I am excited about the students that will be visiting in the fall. My sisters, Paqui and María Victoria, also host students and live nearby, so we have created a really welcoming and supportive community of homestay families in Malaga and visiting students. I would like to continue hosting students for as long as I can; it helps keep me young!
What would you say to parents who are nervous about sending their student abroad for a homestay and language immersion program?
As a mother with a daughter who studied abroad at a young age, I understand how parents can worry. I hope parents realize that we are just like any other family and that our goal is for their student to feel comfortable in our home. I create a supportive and welcoming environment in our home, the way I would want for my daughter if she were being hosted abroad. My husband and I want the students to have the best experience during their homestay in Málaga with us. We will do everything we can to make sure they are happy here and experience a rich homestay and language immersion experience. Students are welcome in my home whenever they want to visit!
Leave a comment