We knew it was the first time our village had hosted foreign students in homestays, but it was after the group left that I learned it was the first homestay program Sarvodaya had tried.
With a new group arriving next week from Wisconsin, the international unit asked me to prepare some advice for the students before they moved into their village homes for four days. When writing the tips for them, I included some of my own reflections, which I thought would be another fun post for the Sri Lankan homestay experience.
*****
Living in a village is an experience that will challenge you but also reward you with cultural insight and an immeasurable change within yourself.
Overall, the villagers are selflessly hospitable, eager to learn about you and also proud to have you in their home. They are generous people who work hard for their community and are reliant on each other. As introductions are made, you will quickly feel as though you are part of the family.
The little interactions are the most special when engaging with the villagers. We advise looking for the small moments and opportunities to be together and learn from each other.
The language barrier may seem like a hindrance at first, but the more time you dedicate to trying to communicate, the faster you will develop inside jokes with them, ones that don’t need a language to translate.
“Actions speak louder than words” is key advice when there’s no common language. Showing interest in what they do and having a willingness to learn will naturally build relationships.
The kids picked up new games very quickly, loved to dance and never seemed to get tired. Getting to know them and seeing certain children become attached to members of our group was one of our favorite parts.
One aspect of living in the village we encountered so you may as well is the staring and the pampering.
Many of our host families would have us sit down in the living room or on the porch then suddenly their family and friends were at the house just watching as we sat.
This happened continuously in various situations. It’s best to exercise patience and understanding that they are just as curious in your presence as you are in their lifestyle and culture.
By pampering I mean they continuously showered us with hospitality, but it was to the point we didn’t feel like we were able to contribute or interact in the hands-on way we desired.
We learned, however, to just break the mold and work with them anyways. If you show a genuine interest and eagerness to work or connect, this is what I’ve observed of the Sri Lankan culture overall, then they will return with complete acceptance and offer you tasks.
We only stayed in the village half as long as your group will, yet the day we had to say goodbye was a difficult detachment. There may be hardships in the adjustment or confusion in translation, but by the end you reflect on the strong bonds you developed together and you find letting go much harder than expected.
Goodbye is also difficult, because there is no phrase in Sinhala that means, “I will miss you.”
Much like many of the charades acts you will go through when talking, though, you will try to find a way to express your gratitude for the experience and openness they provided.
Really the main advice I would give for the village homestays are probably aspects you each already possess since you signed up for this journey.
Having an open mind and enjoying the immersion in a contrasting culture will ensure your village stay is an adventure of the self and a cherished experience of your group collectively.
Aayu-bowan!
With a new group arriving next week from Wisconsin, the international unit asked me to prepare some advice for the students before they moved into their village homes for four days. When writing the tips for them, I included some of my own reflections, which I thought would be another fun post for the Sri Lankan homestay experience.
*****
Living in a village is an experience that will challenge you but also reward you with cultural insight and an immeasurable change within yourself.
Overall, the villagers are selflessly hospitable, eager to learn about you and also proud to have you in their home. They are generous people who work hard for their community and are reliant on each other. As introductions are made, you will quickly feel as though you are part of the family.
The little interactions are the most special when engaging with the villagers. We advise looking for the small moments and opportunities to be together and learn from each other.
The language barrier may seem like a hindrance at first, but the more time you dedicate to trying to communicate, the faster you will develop inside jokes with them, ones that don’t need a language to translate.
“Actions speak louder than words” is key advice when there’s no common language. Showing interest in what they do and having a willingness to learn will naturally build relationships.
The kids picked up new games very quickly, loved to dance and never seemed to get tired. Getting to know them and seeing certain children become attached to members of our group was one of our favorite parts.
One aspect of living in the village we encountered so you may as well is the staring and the pampering.
Many of our host families would have us sit down in the living room or on the porch then suddenly their family and friends were at the house just watching as we sat.
This happened continuously in various situations. It’s best to exercise patience and understanding that they are just as curious in your presence as you are in their lifestyle and culture.
By pampering I mean they continuously showered us with hospitality, but it was to the point we didn’t feel like we were able to contribute or interact in the hands-on way we desired.
We learned, however, to just break the mold and work with them anyways. If you show a genuine interest and eagerness to work or connect, this is what I’ve observed of the Sri Lankan culture overall, then they will return with complete acceptance and offer you tasks.
We only stayed in the village half as long as your group will, yet the day we had to say goodbye was a difficult detachment. There may be hardships in the adjustment or confusion in translation, but by the end you reflect on the strong bonds you developed together and you find letting go much harder than expected.
Goodbye is also difficult, because there is no phrase in Sinhala that means, “I will miss you.”
Much like many of the charades acts you will go through when talking, though, you will try to find a way to express your gratitude for the experience and openness they provided.
Really the main advice I would give for the village homestays are probably aspects you each already possess since you signed up for this journey.
Having an open mind and enjoying the immersion in a contrasting culture will ensure your village stay is an adventure of the self and a cherished experience of your group collectively.
Aayu-bowan!
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