Home stays with host families

During the first few weeks of the program, students live together in a hotel. After that, they are “adopted” by host families in Pune.

Above: A student with her host mother. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Schachterle)

Left: At left, a student has her first dinner with her host family. (Photo courtesy of Natalie Futasova)

Below: Two students with members of a host family. (Photo courtesy of Jody Rutz)

Past participants rank the experience of living with families as the best part of the program. Typically, the students

• participate in family celebrations
• learn to cook
• interact with host-siblings and their friends
• learn about an Indian neighborhood by living there
• see the family structure firsthand.