Homestay
Our homestay program provides accommodation and care for Monash students within an enriching cultural and social environment.
Why choose a homestay program?
Grazie mille per tutto! My experience with the Homestay Program has been absolutely fantastic. I have enjoyed every second of it and I have learnt so much. I am very grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity! I will really miss my family and everyone at the Prato campus. I hope to stay in touch and one day be able to come back to Prato. Jasmine
As a homestay student you will experience family life in Italy by living with a family. The program provides you with not only food and accommodation but also an authentic intercultural experience. You'll have the opportunity to improve and develop your Italian language and communication skills. Homestay families and students benefit from learning about each other’s culture, language, food, and way of life.
What is included and costs
- accommodation in a single room
- a desk and personal storage space
- shared bathroom and laundry facilities
- linen
- Internet access
- seven breakfasts and seven dinners per week
Your accommodation may be located outside the city centre but travelling by public transport (bus) it will take no more than 20 minutes to arrive at campus, with bus stops conveniently located near the Prato campus and Homestay families.
Length of stay
- Minimum of three weeks to maximum of five weeks.
- You should arrive in Prato a couple of days before your program starts to allow time to meet your homestay family and settle in Prato.
Selection process
To be eligible to apply for the homestay program, you need to have first received confirmation of your enrolment in a Prato unit. Once confirmed, you can then apply through your faculty for a place on the homestay program.
You will be interviewed by the faculty to assess your suitability for the homestay program.
If you are successful, the faculty will inform us and we’ll contact you to arrange a video conference interview with staff in Prato. This is a chance for us to get to know you and to find the best family match for you. We’ll be in touch after the interview to notify you of your host family and to provide all the details you'll need.
Once we match you to a family, we'll then ask you to confirm the dates of your homestay and you’ll need to read and sign a copy of the Homestay Student Guide. Signing the agreement serves as confirmation of your participation in the program.
About homestay families
Italy is a multicultural country and homestay families come from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. Homestay family structures are not limited to the traditional ‘nuclear model’ and may consist of single women, couples without children, single parents with children, and retired couples.
Homestay families want to host you for various reasons. Many are interested in having cross-cultural interaction, while others wish to ‘internationalise’ their children by introducing them to other cultures. Retired couples may host for company as their own children have left home.
All homestay families are arranged by our campus through an interview selection process.
Further information
Contact community@monash.it for further information about our homestay program.