Your Spanish host family

Welcome!

  • All of the host families are excited to have you in their homes.
  • When you arrive, make yourself at home and unpack your suitcase. You will receive a house key.
  • Host families are selected based on high quality standards of accommodation. Family homes are less than 45 minutes from TANDEM by public transportation.
  • Age from 16

Included:

  • Half board (breakfast and dinner)
  • Bathroom: Shared
  • Cleaning Service
  • Laundry (Once per week)
  • Bed linen and blankets
  • Towels
  • Option FAMILY PLUS with own bathroom.

Types of families and homes

  • Single parent.
  • Traditional families with two parents and children.
  • Older women who live alone.
  • Retired couples.
  • All of the families in Madrid live in flats that are small to medium size. No one lives in a stand-alone house.
Host Family

“Spain is different”

You may notice that in the Spanish home:

  • Spaces are smaller.
  • No clothes dryers.
  • Air-conditioning not common.
  • Smaller furniture.
  • Smaller refrigerators.

Bedrooms

  • Once a week the lady of the house will wash your sheets and towels.
  • The cleanliness of the room is your responsibility.

Those Crazy Foreigners!

It may be odd for Spaniards that some foreigners:

  • Sleep on top of the covers.
  • Do not open windows or doors to air out their rooms.
  • Spend a lot of time in their bedrooms.
  • Go barefoot and do not wear slippers in the house.

Meals

  • Breakfast and dinner are provided. Lunch is on your own.
  • Speak with your host to set a time for dinner.
  • If you are not going to be home, let your family know.
  • Talk with your host about what you can and cannot eat.
  • If you have to or want to eat special ingredients and food, you must buy them.

Communication

  • Your host wants to know you! (don’t be shy or let your lack of Spanish get in the way. That’s why you are here).
  • Mention your plans regularly (you are an adult, but they will worry about you).
  • Ask before inviting guests over.
  • Tell them if you are feeling ill (they can help get you to the doctor if you need to).

Norms

  • You have your own set of keys to the house. Make sure to take care of them (if you lose, you are responsible to replace the keys and locks – and it might be expensive).
  • The washing machine is included, so you can do your laundry once a week, but ask before using it.
  • There is no curfew, but respect that there people sleeping. Please be quiet when you come home at late hours.

Last note

We hope you have a wonderful stay and experience with us at TANDEM. If you have any questions or comments, just talk to Reception when you come to class.

Book your summer camp at TANDEM and learn Spanish

Summer Camp for kids: 7-12 years old
Junior Camp for teens: 13-17 years old
Intensive course for adults: 18-99 years old

15585

Come with your family... or not.