Info
Are you planning to spend a short or long-term holiday in Boston?
We offer accommodation in host families. Our partner in Boston provides housing and is specialized in offering private rooms in homestays, as well as private rooms in residence halls or dormitories. It is recognized by the FIYTO (Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations) for the quality of its services.
All our families are very carefully selected, with attention given to the safety of the neighbourhoods, proximity to public transportation and hospitality of the host families.
This option of accommodation allows the student to discover the region as a tourist living with a local, or to find independent accommodation during an internship. Therefore this option should not to be confused with a language exchange programme in the sense that we do not guarantee daily contact between the host families and the participants in the programme, who must be able to support themselves independently. Programmes run from 1 to 24 weeks.
The city
Boston is the capital and largest city of the state of Massachusetts, and one of the most desired student destinations in the United States. Its intense cultural life, prestigious schools and universities, festivals, nightlife and charming architecture attract students from across the world.
As the economic and cultural centre of New England, Boston does not look like other American cities. The centre has a number of colonial buildings, the streets are windy and not on a grid pattern and the city has a number of pedestrian and bike zones.
Boston is a year round destination offering spectacular beaches and nearby skiing resorts in the winter. It is a city to visit or study anytime of the year.
The Families
Host families may be placed in South Boston, Dorchester, East Boston and the South End. This also includes neighbouring towns like Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline and Newton.
This variety of locations allows students and tourists to discover other points of interest outside of Boston.
Guarantees
All families have been visited by our local partner and fulfill strict requirements. They provide a warm comfortable environment for the students and tourists they house.
They are always in a safe area of the city, situated close to public transport and local shops.
Emergency assistance is available 24/7.
Accommodation types
Several types are available:
- Standard single, with breakfast
Private furnished bedroom in a home of a family or individual, where the guest shares all facilities with the others in the house. A self-served morning meal (coffee, tea or milk; bread or toast; jam, cream cheese, butter) is daily available for the guest. - Double room, with breakfast
Two guests sharing a bedroom. Doubles are only available to two guests who know each other and are travelling together. The price listed is per person and only applies during the dates that two guests occupy the bedroom. If one guest leaves, then single rates will apply to the remaining guest. - Half-board
If you would prefer, it is possible to arrange breakfast and dinner to be taken at home. Dinner times will be decided to suit both you and the family.
You will also be given a space in the refrigerator and will be allowed to do light meal preparation in the kitchen such as making a salad or a sandwich. All other use of the kitchen must be discussed and arranged with the host.
Prices and Dates
Including all taxes & enrollment fees, as well as the course, accommodation, and board as described
Click here to enroll directly| Standard host family | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Double room, breakfast incl. | Single room, breakfast incl. | Double room, half-board | Single room, half-board | |
| 1 week. | $ 865 | $ 1,065 | $ 940 | $ 1,140 | |
| 2 weeks | $ 1,140 | $ 1,340 | $ 1,290 | $ 1,490 | |
| 3 weeks | $ 1,315 | $ 1,615 | $ 1,540 | $ 1,840 | |
| 4 weeks | $ 1,490 | $ 1,790 | $ 1,790 | $ 2,090 | |
| 12 weeks | $ 3,590 | $ 4,290 | $ 4,490 | $ 5,190 | |
| Supplements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior host family (per week) | $ 75 | ||||
| Under 18 (per week) | $ 100 | ||||
| Airport transfer (one way) | $ 125 | ||||
Prices for this programme are detailed in the table above.
They include:
- All taxes and enrolment fees
- Accommodation with host family
- Board as requested: half, or breakfast
They do not include:
- Transport
- Optional transfers
- Possible insurance
- Possible visa fees
Dates
Accommodation is booked per week, on a 7 night basis (generally from Sunday to Sunday).
Demand is generally quite high during peak season (June - September); we advise book your programme at least 4 weeks in advance.
Practical Info
Journey
- Airport: Boston Logan International (BOS)
- A transfer is possible from the airport for an additional fee. However a supplement is required in any case for unaccompanied students aged under 18 years.
If you wish, we can book a return journey to Boston for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.
If you intend to arrange your own travel, we encourage you to arrive the Sunday before the start of your course, and to leave the Saturday following the end of your course.
Visa
For EU residents:
- For visits of less than 90 days (12 weeks): a student visa is not necessary. You will simply need to fill out an online ESTA declaration (14$) to enter US territory.
- For visits of more than 90 days (12 weeks): you will need a visa and we will provide you with all necessary paperwork.
It is highly important that you familiarise yourself with all the documentation necessary for the acquisition of a visa in your home country before visiting your local US embassy.
http://www.london.usembassy.gov/ (United Kingdom)
http://germany.usembassy.gov/ (Germany)
http://thehague.usembassy.gov/ (The Netherlands)
http://denmark.usembassy.gov/ (Denmark)
http://sweden.usembassy.gov/ (Sweden)
http://www.usembassy.be (Belgium)
http://www.amb-usa.fr (France)
http://bern.usembassy.gov (Switzerland)
Canadian nationals do not need a visa.
