Student A, who studied in Dallas, recently returned to Korea after being abused by her homestay host (local legal guardian). Student A’s parents allege that the host emotionally abused their child, going against their promises. “We sent our child to the U.S. with faith that the hosts would take good care of her, but the abuse deeply hurt my child,” said the parents of student A. “I even called the police because I couldn’t tolerate the abuse, including verbal abuse.”
As more and more international students return to the U.S. following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are increasing cases of conflicts with homestay hosts. Parents who have sent their children to Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and other places claim that local homestay guardians have been abusive, failing to fulfill the terms of their contracts.
Parents who send their children to study abroad state that some homestay guardians have become more profit-driven rather than prioritizing the well-being of international students.
According to the industry, homestay families in Los Angeles and other locations receive approximately $3,000 per month for each international student. Homestay owners are eager to present themselves as guardians for international students under the age of 18.
However, parents of international students argue that some homestay guardians provide inadequate diets, accommodate more students than they can handle, and charge extra fees for various living expenses.
“I found a local homestay guardian online and sent my child to the guardian,” said one parent. “She told me that she only accepts three or four students at a time and provides a single room for each student. However, there have been cases where they accepted up to 10 students in one house, with two or three students sharing a room.”
Another parent said, “The host promised to provide a nutritious diet for my child, considering its impact on growth, but in reality, they mainly prepared frozen food. I was upset that I had to pay additional money for weekend meals, dining out, and bedding, which were supposed to be included in the contract.”
Some homestay guardians are also reportedly engaging in emotional abuse, including verbal abuse, against young students.
Mr. Kim, who sent his children to Dallas, Texas, said, “The homestay guardian made my children stand over each other because she was managing six international students. She verbally abused them and manipulated their perceptions. When my child told me after a year that the situation was frustrating, it broke my heart.”
Lawyer Daniel Jung stated, “What is advertised or promised on the website or verbally is legally considered a ‘contract.’ If the homestay service does not meet the promised standards, you can first demand correction. If that doesn’t work, you should consider filing a lawsuit for damages due to ‘fraud.'” He added, “It’s best to have a written contract with the homestay guardians beforehand.”
Meanwhile, he also advised against relying solely on social media and other websites for advertisements due to the limitations of distance.
Winston Lee, who has been running a homestay in La Brea for seven years, said, “When sending young international students to the U.S., it is crucial for parents to personally visit the host family and meet the guardian.”
Lee also emphasized the importance of checking the security of the area, the facilities of the homestay, and having conversations with the international students residing there before signing a contract. He advised against relying solely on glossy photos or vague statements on the internet.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [support@koreadaily.com]
