It’s already mid-summer here in the US and for those students who were able to stay in their homestays while continuing studies may have found that there wasn’t much to do after finishing up course work and projects for classes even with the stay-at-home order lifted for most cities. IHPS has put together a few tips on how to summer socialize for international students.
We know many of you were excited about your summer break and back in February, you might have had big plans to go exploring. Possibly head to Disneyland or even NYC? You wanted to take advantage of your study abroad experience and see the US during your summer vacation! Your plans to “recharge” were cut short because of the Pandemic.
If you were lucky enough to have online classes this summer, you may have felt you had enough interaction for the day and not much else was needed for your social life.
For those who are feeling summer has been super long already and are searching for more interaction or fresh ideas on hanging out with friends, IHPS Homestays (with the help of some homestay students) has come up with a few summer socializing tips for international students. Read on to find out what other students are doing and get socializing!
Virtual Movie Night
Unfortunately, social distancing is keeping most of us apart. Staying in has become the new norm and most likely your host family does not want you having any friends over to the homestay at this time. That is why our students suggest going virtual! Cycle in a virtual movie night each week and you will feel connected to your fellow friends and students in no time!
Fortunately, a virtual movie night is easier to do now more than ever with an application called Zoom. You might be familiar with this program and even be using it to take your online courses this summer. If you are new to Zoom, it’s a very easy program to learn. Zoom is free for the first 40 mins and then $14.99 per month for the Pro Version. Zoom allows the user to share their screen with another person, so you all can watch a movie together. Invite some friends, get some snacks, turn on a Netflix movie, and start chillin’ out.
Our international student top Movies and TV shows pics:
1. Sugar Rush,
2. Zumbo Desserts,
3. Cheer,
4. Stranger Things
5. The Office.
Check them out! We bet you will definitely get hooked!
Virtual Game Night
Do you love games? Have you ever heard of a game called Heads Up? The game has become ever so popular lately and a definite recommendation from our students. The best thing is you can play this game virtually with an app called HouseParty.
Houseparty is free to use with in-app purchases. You could also play a game of Pictionary, too. Or how about charades? All of these games are on the app store and all you need to do to connect with your friends is sign up for HouseParty or another like app.
You will find yourself having a great time with these games while also improving your English skills. Invite some friends, get the app, play some games, and have a fun night!
Whatever you choose to do during your summer break try to remain positive. This Pandemic will go away at some point and we will all be out socializing in-person someday soon.
