| FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
About Homestay
About Visa
Others
About Homestay
1. How do I apply for a homestay?
Please click How to apply to get detailed info about homestay application and payment procedure
2. Who are the homestay hosts?
All hosts are located in safe residential neighborhoods.
All hosts have been carefully screen, regularly evaluated and trained according to our high standards and guidelines for hosts.
All hosts for students are expected to speak Standard Mandarin within the family home in order to improve student Chinese skills.
All are open-minded, caring and welcoming people, who would like to help others, share the cultures and enjoy hosting.
Our hosts could be:
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• A mother, father and one child
• Single parents with children.
• Young Couples without children
• Retired Couples
• Couples whose children are grown and live away from home
• Families with pets. |
3. Can I live with a family close to the school or close to the public transportation?
Yes. All homestays are located within walking distance of public transportation or walking distance to campus. Please specify the district or where you will be traveling on a daily basis in our application form, so that we can more closely match, as much as we possibly can, your need with available homestay.
4. What does my homestay provide?
A fully furnished private room that includes a bed, bed linens, a desk& lamp, dresser/ a clothes cupboard and towels.
A private or shared bathroom: includes towels.
Share living areas with family members/ Access to laundry facilities, a TV and a telephone (use calling cards for long distance calls)
Two meals options: 1. Breakfast only with access to the kitchen 2. All meals except lunches Monday to Friday
A comfortable and safe environment
Assistance and first hand help from your host family.
5.Can I live in a Chinese homestay if I do not know Chinese?
Yes. We can match you in a homestay where one of family member can speak in English. Some host families are still available where one of family members can speak in Japanese, Korean or Russian. Our staff will provide you with ongoing support for the entire length of your stay to make sure your stay will be enjoyable without any communication worries.
6. Am I able to learn Mandarin Chinese faster by staying in a CWEHS homestay?
Yes. Please feel welcome in the home and talk as much as possible with your host. There are many dialects in China , Mandarin Chinese is official language in China and is understood by most Chinese people. We select our hosts who speak standard mandarin and would like to interact with you and help you with your Mandarin Chinese.
7. Is unlimited phone access available?
There is normally only one telephone in each homestay and local phone call is not free in China , so phone calls should be kept short. All long distance or overseas phone calls must be made with prepaid phone card unless you have setup your own phone line under your own name. Your host family can assist you in registering for your own phone line. Many students or visitors now have their own mobile phone to make their calls at their own cost and this is a good option.
8. May I use my host family computer to connect to the Internet at home?
Many families have computers and have internet access. Free high-speed internet connection is provided in our standard homestay and deluxe homestay program. If you need to use your host family computer to logon the internet, you will need to ask your host first. Please indicate your preference on your application, and we will do our best to organize it for you.
9. What if I do not like or cannot eat some food?
We encourage you to try the new foods available, as this is part of the overseas experience. However, if there is any food you cannot eat due to religious, health or other reasons please indicate this in your application form and we can arrange for you accordingly. Please feel free to tell your host if there is something you particularly like or dislike, your host will do their best to make the changes.
10. What if I have an allergy to dogs, cats, etc?
In our homestay application form, you must state if you have any allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate you and assign you to the families with whom you will have no problems with respect to your allergies.
11. May I smoke in the home?
Some hosts allow smoking in their homes; some will allow you to step outside to smoke. You will have to ask your homestay. Different homestays have different rules.
12. May I cook my own food?
Yes, you can stay in a breakfast only homestay. You can use their kitchen to prepare your own foods. Refrigerator space is provided as well as the use of the microwave is allowed.
13. Can I do laundry in the Homestay?
Yes. The host family will show you how to operate the laundry facilities.
14. Is there a curfew?
There is usually no curfew at a homestay. If you are going to be late for dinner, late coming home, or staying overnight at your friend's home, please call and tell your host so they don't worry about you. This is for your safety. Your homestay will want you to be quiet when you return home late. If your parents or guardian request your host to set up a curfew for you, you have to abide by the curfew.
15. Can I invite my friends to my Homestay?
Yes, but you must ask your host first.
16. Can I join the family's activities?
Yes, the hosts treat you as a family member and will invite you to join their activities as you wish.
17. Do I need to do household chores?
No, you are not expected to do household chores beyond cleaning up after yourself and keep your private living spaces clean and tidy.
18. If I go on holiday and I am not living at my homestay, can I get a refund for the time I am away?
If you take a longer than 14 days holiday during your homestay, and at least 15 days notice is given to CWHES, CWHES will usually refund part of your homestay fee (about 50%) while you are away.
19. What if I have a problem with my family?
If for any reason you fell uncomfortable with your host family or are having problems with your host, please do not hesitate to talk to us. Remember we are here to help you. From our experiences, most homestay problems are based on cultural or language misunderstandings that are easily solved with counseling and it often takes at least one month to feel relaxed in a new homestay. However if you are not happy for good reason and a 15 days homestay change notice is given, we will make every effort to move you to a different host at no charge. Our goal is to ensure a rewarding homestay experience for every guest and host family.
20. Do you offer homestays to families?
We can offer comfortable homestays to families based on availability. Please contact us at contact@China-Worldeduhomestay.com for specific details.
21.When will I get information about my host family?
After your homestay placement is confirmed and we receive your all the proper fees and flight information we will send you the detailed information about your host family and confirmation that your airport transfer has been arranged (if requested) with our emergency number about 10 days prior to your arrival. You can contact your host family as you wish before arrival.
22. Do I need a registration at the local police station when I live with my host family?
Yes, your host will bring you to register at the local police stations within 24 hours of move-in according to the regulation of the Chinese government.
23. Can I be picked up at the airport?
Yes. Please book an airport pickup on your homestay application form.
Airport pick up or drop-off fee: US$45/per order
Airport pick-up plus drop-off fee: $85/per order
Free airport pick-up if stay in one same homestay longer than 4weeks.
About Visa
24. How can I get a student Visa?
For students, one of two visas is issued, depending on the duration of study program:
Study / Student Visa (X):
Issued to those who come to China for study or intern practice for a period of six months or above.
Visit Visa (F):
Issued to those who come to China for study, research, lecture, scientific-technological and cultural exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of less than six months.
You can apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy /Consulate in your country of domicile. A Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW201 or JW202) and an Admission Letter from a Chinese institute are required to get a visa. We will send these documents to you for your visa application if you request our school placement services . Please contact the nearest Chinese Embassy/Chinese consulate for detailed information about application for your visa.
25. Can I entrust someone else to apply for a Chinese visa for me?
Yes. You may entrust someone else or a travel/visa agent to come to the visa office for application process in Chinese Embassy / Chinese Consulates.
Others
26. I nternational students are required to have medical insurance?
Yes. Those who do not buy the medical insurance will not be registered. International students' medical insurance must at least include Accidental Injuries and Hospitalization. Students may buy medical insurance in the students' home countries before coming to China or they may buy it upon arrival in Beijing . The fee for the medical insurance provided by China Ping'an Insurance Company Ltd is 600 yuan RMB for one year.
27.What is the weather like in Beijing ?
Beijing has four distinct seasons with cold winters (December-March), hot summers (June - August) and pleasant springs and autumns. The temperature ranges from –10 degrees Celsius in the winter and up to 38 degrees Celsius in the summer. January is the coldest month and July is the warmest. Beijing spring (April-May) is relatively short, with the monthly mean temperature of 13°C~20°C Autumn days are cool with clear sky and gentle breeze.
28.What do I need to bring to Beijing ?
You should bring clothes appropriate to the seasons you will be in Beijing . If you come to Beijing in winter, please prepare to wear layers. In the winter, we suggest that you bring wool sweaters and down jacket. You do not need to bring any bedding or household items for your homestay. A laptop will be helpful if you use computer a lot at home.
29.What if I have other questions?
Fill out the form below, and then push the SEND button. You can also use your own email program to send a message to contact@China-Worldeduhomestay.com
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