Student experience: living with a host or host family
Living with a host or host family may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you’re looking for an accommodation as a student. Are you curious about the student experience of Zoe? Read the article.
Living with a host or host family may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you're looking for accommodation as a student. However, for many students, it offers a great solution, especially considering the current housing crisis.
You may have already read our previous blog where we shared the host experience of Wim & Monique. If not, let us take you back to the day when we sat down with Zoe, a conservatory student from Utrecht who lives with hosts Wim & Monique through Hospi Housing. Throughout that day, we witnessed what you could call a perfect Hospi Housing match. We were inspired by Zoe's heartwarming story as she shared her experience of living with two amazing hosts.
During that afternoon, words like a safe environment, a home, enrichment, learning from each other, and helping one another came up multiple times. For us, it perfectly exemplified the true essence of what Hospi Housing stands for. Keep reading for Zoe's full story.
Who is Zoe?
Zoe is from Palencia, located in the Castile & León region in northern Spain. Yes, you read it correctly: Palencia (with a P), not Valencia. Zoe is in her final year of studying classical cello at the Conservatory in Utrecht.
In addition, Zoe is also training to become a yoga instructor. She loves nature, meeting new people, and gaining new experiences. She also enjoys the feeling of being 'at home' in her cozy room at Wim & Monique's house. Monique's face lights up when Zoe mentions the word 'home.'
She fell instantly in love with the room
After many desperate attempts to find a room, Zoe heard about Hospi Housing through friends. Two of her friends were living with hosts and spoke highly of their experience. When Zoe was offered a room at Wim & Monique's, she instantly fell in love.
Zoe has been living with Wim & Monique for over a year now. She feels more at home here than in a busy and chaotic student house where there is a lot of noise every evening. I ask if she has any plans to move in the future. Laughter fills the room, and Zoe jokes that she plans to stay forever. Monique immediately responds, 'That's perfectly fine.'
Mutual respect between host and room seeker
AEvery Hospi Housing experience is unique. Some hosts prefer a lot of interaction, while others value their privacy more. The need for structure or the level of independence can also vary from host to host.
Zoe explains that she was initially a bit concerned about this. Fortunately, she now experiences mutual respect for each other's personal space in the house. 'I know that Wim and Monique care a lot about us. We also try to take care of them,' says Zoe. Monique jokes, 'Just wait until we get older.'
Meaningful conversations
According to Zoe, living with hosts is not only about finding suitable accommodation but also about enriching experiences. Hosts often have more life experience, resulting in meaningful conversations with one another. Conversations are not just about student life or partying.
Another advantage of living with hosts is the tranquility and peacefulness in which they live. Zoe greatly appreciates the slower pace of life at Wim & Monique's.