Self+Directed+Exploration-+Communicate+Before+You+Go

= Homework 1 - Communicate Before You Go =

Individual time needed: varies
1. Did you already write your Family Stay letter to submit with your family stay application? This is the letter that introduces you to families who are looking to share their home with a U.S. student. Think of the qualities you want your future host family to know about you and express those qualities in your letter in the target language. Here is a sample outline you may want to use to write your letter:



2. Once you are assigned a host family, Facebook, Skype, other on-line social networks and email are all great ways to connect with your host family before you go and to practice the language you have been learning and that you will use abroad.


 * Questions to ask before you connect: **

1. Does your personality in your family stay letter represent the best of who you are? Make sure to ask your own family members if what you say in your letter sounds interesting and shows you in your best light as the unique person you really are.

2. Your host family has never met you in person before so try to pretend you are one of the members of your host family who is looking at your Facebook page for the first time. Does your personality on social media accurately represent who you are? Will your host family like what they see? Now is the time to make any changes to your page and profile that you think might mis-represent you