Why I Chose a Homestay in Milan (And Why I’d Recommend It)

For the final post in my Spring 2026 Milan housing series, I wanted to talk about the option I personally chose: homestay.

To put it simply, I highly recommend it.

I seriously considered the residence halls until the very end, but there were a few reasons why I ultimately chose homestay:

• saving on living expenses,
• experiencing authentic Italian home cooking,
• and feeling safer while living abroad.

In this post, I wanted to explain what homestay life is actually like, as well as who I think it’s a great fit for — and who might prefer a different option.

What Is a Homestay Like?

In general, homestay means living with host parents and sometimes their children. Some homes only have the parents living there, which was the case for me.

Homestays are spread throughout Milan, so it’s hard to predict exactly where you’ll be placed. However, most students are assigned to areas with relatively convenient transportation access near metro or tram stations.

In my case, I was incredibly lucky to live in the Brera district, an area full of restaurants, cafés, and shops not far from the Duomo.

Honestly, I don’t think I would have had the chance to live in such a central and beautiful part of Milan if I had chosen another housing option.

You’re Treated More Like Family Than a Guest

One important thing to understand about homestay is that you’re not really treated as a hotel guest. You become part of the household.

That comes with both closeness and small responsibilities.

Sometimes that means helping clean shared spaces or helping with dishes after meals.

In my homestay, a cleaning staff member came once a week, so I didn’t need to help with general cleaning. However, after dinner we would usually take turns washing pots that couldn’t go into the dishwasher.

Meals & Daily Life

Homestays include breakfast and dinner six days a week.

That said, if your host family also prepares meals for you on Sundays or offers lunch occasionally, it’s important to remember that this is simply kindness on their part, not part of the official arrangement.

In my case, I actually ate fewer meals at home than what was included because I traveled frequently and often wasn’t home.

Breakfast was flexible. If there was something specific I wanted, my host family would usually buy it for me. Italians generally prefer light breakfasts — often just cappuccino and biscuits — so I sometimes made my own toast or eggs.

One thing that took some adjustment was the dinner schedule.

In Korea, dinner is usually eaten around 6–7 PM. In Italy, my host family usually started dinner around 8–9 PM, which felt very late to me at first.

Who I Recommend Homestay For

1. Students Nervous About Living Abroad Alone

If this is your first time living abroad and you’re worried about safety or handling everything alone, homestay can be incredibly comforting.

As I mentioned earlier, homestay feels much more like gaining Italian parents than simply renting a room.

Whenever I traveled alone or visited another country, my host family would regularly text me to check if I was safe. They also constantly told me about local events and activities happening around the neighborhood so I could enjoy Milan more fully.

2. Students Who Want Real Local Connections

One challenge with IES Abroad is that you mostly take classes and spend time with other American students.

That means it can actually be difficult to fully experience Italian culture or become close with local Italians.

Homestays change that.

Not only do you interact with your host parents, but if your host family has children around your age, you naturally experience local culture much more directly.

If you’re lucky, your host family might even take you to places tourists rarely visit.

For example, if I hadn’t done homestay, I never would have discovered Lake Orta, a beautiful town near Milan that my host family introduced me to.

Who Might Not Enjoy Homestay

Of course, I don’t think homestay is the right choice for everyone.

1. Students Who Are Extremely Shy

When you live with other people, communication matters a lot.

Misunderstandings and uncomfortable situations happen naturally, and being willing to talk openly is important. If communicating with others feels very difficult for you, homestay may become stressful.

2. Students Who Strongly Need Alone Time

Many students already spend all day communicating with classmates, coworkers, or internship supervisors.

Some people simply don’t want to continue social interaction once they return home, and that’s completely understandable.

I noticed that students who highly valued personal space often preferred residence halls instead.

3. Students With Very Different Cleanliness Standards

Every household has different expectations regarding cleanliness and organization.

When you join a homestay, you’re adapting to another family’s lifestyle and standards.

If your personal habits are extremely different — whether cleaner or messier — adjustment can sometimes be difficult.

Final Thoughts

This is now my third housing post, and I hope this series has helped future students think more carefully about which option might fit them best.

I also know there are plenty of scary homestay stories online.

However, I think this experience is different.

The homestay families provided through IES Abroad have already been screened and approved by the program. IES Abroad staff also regularly check in with students and families and help mediate if any problems arise.

Personally, I think opportunities to do homestays become rarer as you get older.

Living with a local family through a trusted organization like IES Abroad is a very unique experience, and I genuinely hope students who are interested don’t miss the opportunity to try it at least once.