Homestays

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of accommodation where visitors stay in a local's home, often to experience the culture and lifestyle of the area
2. Lodging arrangements that involve renting a room or space in someone's residence, promoting cultural exchange and interaction
3. A form of tourism involving staying with a family or local resident, which fosters immersion in local customs and traditions

Etymology: "Homestay" is a compound of "home" and "stay," and the plural "homestays" is simply the noun in its plural form. The compound dates to the early 20th century, when it was used for arrangements in which a student or visitor lived with a family rather than in a hotel or school dormitory. The "home" element is the familiar Old English "ham," and "stay" comes from Old French "estai," meaning a halt or sojourn, ultimately from Latin "stare," to stand. The term took on its modern sense largely in the second half of the 20th century, when international study programmes and language schools began placing students with local families. In that setting, the lodging is valued less for the bed than for the daily contact with a household, which is why the word now carries the idea of cultural exchange.