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GSC places volunteers with hosts who enjoy learning about other cultures and appreciate the unique opportunity that hosting an international volunteer gives to their family. Many host families are associated with our project sites and also act as counterparts or mentors during our programs. Host families have been carefully chosen by GSC and our partners, and many have hosted volunteers over the course of several years. Whether you are sharing a plate of ugali (corn meal) and sakuma weki (greens) with your Tanzanian Mana or bonding with your Tanzanian siblings, your homestay experience with GSC hosts will provide memories and friendships lasting a lifetime.

Listen to what our volunteers say about the homestay experience…

"I loved the homestay experience, and just the general cultural immersion that GSC offered. To be able to connect with local families and people my age was a really powerful way for me to understand the culture. Seeing the structure of the schools, getting out into the farm villages and just getting around town everyday gave me huge insight into daily life in Arusha."
-Meghan G., Tanzania HIV/AIDS Program

"The most memorable part of my experience was meeting the local community and my host family; they taught me a lot about the culture and way of life in Tanzania that I would never otherwise have had the opportunity to learn. They also made me feel at home in their country and eased the whole experience."
-Donna R., Tanzania HIV/AIDS Program

"The best part of my time in Tanzania was my homestay family. This not only gave me the greatest insight into the daily lives of Tanzanians and life here, it provided me with comfort and love when I was so far away from everything that was familiar to me. I cannot speak highly enough of my homestay family."
-Lauren C., Tanzania Semester Integrated Program