The international office has improved the terms for international students living with host families starting next semester, making it easier for these students to change families if unsatisfied with increased rates.

Because of decreasing numbers of students interested in living with host families, the international office decided that the conditions needed improvement.

“It was more for the benefit of the students, even though we received a bit of resentment from the families, this is not about them,” said housing director Rosalvina Vidal-Ayres.

Students living with host families pay $895 per month for their own room including two meals per day, and $695 per month for a shared room with the same meal plan. Vidal-Ayres said that beginning next semester monthly rates will be dropped by $100.

As part of the change, the students will now also have the option to choose whether they want a meal plan to be included as part of their rent. Students will also be given a five-day trial to see whether the students are comfortable living with the host family.

“Before the students had to stay one month even though they weren’t satisfied,” said Rosalvina Vidal-Ayres. “Now the students will have the opportunity of a tryout for five days to see if everything works out.”

The students can also give two weeks notice in advance if they would like to change families after living there past the trial period, instead of staying out the month.

According to Vidal-Ayres, students have complained about the rates for the home-stay program, and have been able to find cheaper housing options on their own.

“We hope that the changes will create an increase of students interested in this offer,” she said. “This program is to help the students and give them the opportunity to have a real American lifestyle.”

Jeong-Eun Ha, an international student and economics major, has been part of the home-stay program for six months.

“I want to improve my English,” she said. “Since I came here to America I have wanted to live an American life.”

Before the home-stay program she used to share an apartment with five other international students, and they often ended up speaking their native language.

“Living in an apartment I do not get food or anything, and I had a lot of trouble with roommates not cleaning up after themselves,” Jeong-Eun Ha said.

She was happy about the changes, but said that the rates are too high. “It sounds expensive at first, but when you pay for food and everything I think it’s mostly the same.”

Students interested in the home-stay program can contact housing director Rosalvina Vidal-Ayres at the international office for more information at (805) 965-0581 ext. 2240.