Kaplan Host Families: A Home Away from Home

Starting a language adventure abroad is an exciting time for any international student, but it can also be a bit daunting. At Kaplan, we know how important it is for students to feel comfortable and safe when in a new country – we also know that where you stay can make or break an experience! That’s why we do everything we can to ensure that all the accommodation options we offer are vetted and constantly reviewed. Our students deserve the best, and we don’t believe in compromising when it comes to quality. 

So of course, our homestay program is no exception.  

What is a Kaplan host family? 

Our homestay program is a fantastic accommodation option that offers students the unique opportunity to live, laugh and learn in the home of a local family – the host family. These households are always within a certain distance of the students' chosen school, and can provide companionship, security, some meals, homely comforts, and of course, a fascinating insight into the local culture! It’s no surprise that it’s one of our most popular forms of accommodation!

 “At Kaplan, we pride ourselves on student safety and wellbeing when allocating accommodation, and we carefully select their place of stay. I personally am doing my best to improve processes across the accommodation department, and I am really proud of the position Kaplan Accommodation is currently in.”  

- Sofi Bacon, Regional Accommodation Manager 

How does Kaplan select and vet its host families? 

Behind every successful homestay experience lies a meticulous selection process, conducted and reviewed by dedicated Kaplan staff such as Sofi Bacon. And she’s right, there’s nothing we care about more than the safety and wellbeing of our students. 

So, when it comes to recruiting our host families, we center the process around trust, reliability, and community recommendations. Sofi told us: 

“We are lucky to be working with homestays who have offered their home to our students for many years. We have managed to build trusting and reliable relationship with our hosts that we are very proud of.” 

Building the Kaplan Family 

We leverage the longstanding relationships that we have with existing hosts to tap into their network and encourage them to refer potential hosts from their circle of family, friends, or neighbors. We consider everything including the friendliness and helpfulness of the host, the quality and quantity of the food, the quality and comfort of the room, as well as the locality. But ultimately, when reviewing a host, we ask ourselves one question: would we be happy staying here ourselves? If the answer is a resounding yes, then we know that this household will suit our students.   

It’s time to get planning!

Get ready for your life-changing trip with Kaplan. 

Get a quote today!

How do we review our host families? 

Transparency and accountability form the bedrock of Kaplan’s homestay program. We follow rigorous procedures and listen carefully to all student reviews, and our open-door policy in school invites students to talk to staff about any concerns. Even if we don’t get feedback about a particular homestay, all hosts are subjected to regular visits every two years so that we can ensure Kaplan standards are met.  

Hear from Edwin and Yesica why they chose a Kaplan host family during their language trip to Liverpool: 

Kaplan Homestay, Liverpool

#KaplanExperience abroad should be exhilarating, and we want students to focus on learning and having fun, which is why we do our best to ease the load by finding them accommodation that feels like home. We are proud that our homestay program gives students a dedicated support system that will accompany them every step of the way. 

So, if you're ready to embark on an enriching educational adventure, rest assured that Kaplan's host families await, ready to welcome you with open arms.