English Summer Camp Abroad: Is a Host Family or a Residence Recommended?

One of the most common questions parents have when sending their children to an English summer camp abroad is whether the better option is a host family or a student residence. Questions such as: where will they be safer? Where will they feel more comfortable? Will they learn more English with a family or in a residence?

The truth is that it is impossible to give the same answer for every case. The ideal answer will depend greatly on the student themselves, their personality, and their expectations. At Natuaventura.com we want to offer the best possible guidance when choosing an English summer camp abroad, as we know this decision is very important and involves a number of factors to consider.

English Summer Camp Abroad: Host Family or Residence?

Choosing a host family offers the advantage that the pupil will not only come to know the language of the chosen country, but also, through living with local people, will be able to immerse themselves in the customs of that country and its typical expressions. Furthermore, in the conversations they have with the host family, they will be able to train their listening skills and even pick up the local accent.

Therefore, by choosing a host family, we are essentially opting for a cultural immersion in the chosen country. On many occasions friendships are formed with families that endure long into the future. However, it is very important to point out that the young person must be able to respect the house rules, including those relating to communal living, schedules, and so on.

With regard to English summer camps abroad in the form of student residences, this option will likely offer greater comforts and extra services, as well as sports facilities. It is also worth noting that certain organisations, such as EF, always have a representative on hand to deal with any eventuality.

The advantage of a residence is that, unlike living with a family, the student will be in frequent contact with many participants from a variety of nationalities, with whom they can practise the language and make plans. They will also have to travel less, as in English summer camps run as residences, lessons, restaurants, and various other facilities are located within the campus.

In essence, staying with a host family will allow the student a cultural immersion in the country, whereas in a residence one might say it is more of a multicultural experience, in which the participant will have the opportunity to meet people from different countries.

Finally, there are certain holiday destinations where English summer camps abroad offer a third option. This option is known as junior resort accommodation. This type of camp offers a holiday campus exclusively for young students. In these cases, safety is much greater, as there are monitors on duty 24 hours a day, along with various activities for younger children to ensure a fun-filled stay.

With regard to safety, all three options described are very safe. The difference when choosing between them will depend on the needs and expectations of the participant. In the case of the host family, as we have mentioned, it is an English immersion that allows the participant to get to know the local culture better. On the other hand, with regard to the residence, it is a somewhat more multicultural immersion where the student will be in more frequent contact with students of other nationalities, enjoying the camp facilities.

If you would like further guidance and the opinion of our experts, do not hesitate to contact us at Natuaventura.com, where we will show you an interesting range of options and help you make this decision.

You might also be interested in:

• What your child should pack for summer camp
• 9 Unforgettable Moments When Attending a Summer Camp
• 10 Reasons to Attend a Summer Camp
• Residential or Urban Camp: Which Should You Choose?
• The Best English Summer Camps

For more information about all our summer camps in Madrid, write to us at info@natuaventura.es or call us on 91 714 06 36.