Home+Stay

Hello To our valued leaders,

As you know, homestays are the cornerstone of People to People programs. Homestays fulfill the People to People mission to bridge cultural and political borders through education and exchange, making the world a better place for future generations. We are fortunate to have many different types of unique-stay experiences including Guesthouse stays, farm stays, home visits, home dinners, Minshukus in Japan…all of these different experiences serve one purpose; to create an opportunity for the students to get together with international families and their communities.

Each year we receive hundreds of inquiries from families and leaders about what they can expect from their experience; will there be children in the home? is it paired or not paired? The Travel Services team has worked hand in hand with our Worldwide Partners to create a homestay coversheet that explains more about __your__ specific experience. We ask that you please pass this information along to the families at your next orientation or bon voyage meeting. Attached you will find the homestay experience coversheet specific to your itinerary.

Should you have further questions please work with your AC’s, additionally our program support staff have been provided with this information and some common FAQ’s to assist you should further questions arise.

We want everyone to feel comfortable with their homestay experience and we believe these documents will be of a great assistance to you. We would love to hear how we can further improve knowledge around this subject, so please let your AC’s know if this was useful and what we may do differently in the future to ensure both you and you Student Ambassadors enjoy the best possible homestay experience.

Best Regards, The Travel Services Team

= = = = =**2009 BWH and BWJ Community Stay Coversheet – Program Support** = =**Brief intro to the Irish Community Stay:** = =**The visit is arranged with an Irish family run Guesthouse.** = Basics: • 2 night stay • Leaders will be in guesthouses during this period. • Families speak English • There is a local coordinator who is available at all times to assist with any emergencies or challenges that may arise during the stay • Average number of People to People students in a guesthouse ranges from 2‐8 • Families may smoke, but it is fairly easy to get a stay for someone with smoke allergies or asthma. (Note for PS Only: If smoke‐allergy or asthma is noted on the health form, this is done automatically.) Activities and meals during the guesthouse stay: • Meals will be provided at the guesthouse as well as with the delegation during the day • Activities during the day will be with the delegation and leaders

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=About Caheriveen Ireland:=

**Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland** The true culture of rural Ireland is alive and well in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland with its lush green landscapes, rocky cliffs, and sandy beaches. The capital of the Iveragh Peninsula, Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland lies at the foot of Beentee mountain, on the River Fertha overlooking Valentia Harbor. It is on the renowned "Ring of Kerry," the most scenically beautiful drive in Western Europe. The Liberator, Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) is the town's most famous son, a very successful lawyer who achieved the final Civic Freedom for Irish Catholics in 1829, in the form of Catholic Emancipation. Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland lies beside the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by impressive hills and mountains, enhanced by the pure clear Atlantic air, and captivating spectacular sunsets where dreams of peace become a reality. Located approximately three miles from Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland on the Sugrena-Coars Road, lies the shell of the Bahaghs Workhouse. In 1842 this was a lodge owned by a local McCarthy family. In 1846 it was converted from a lodge to a sanctuary for the destitute. It served as the Workhouse for the thousands of Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland residents who, because of the famine, were evicted from their cottages. The Irish from Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland would be promised three meals, although meager in serving. Down the road from the Bahaghs Workhouse in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland is the Sugrena Famine Cemetery. Buried here are the Irish who perished during the famine. Nettles, brambles, and weeds grow among the old slate and concrete headstones. The names are barely readable with many of the slabs heaved from the earth. If your ancestors date back to Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland at the time of the famine, you can bet you have ancestors buried here. Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland can justly boast that it was the only town in Ireland to rise against a mighty empire. All Ireland was to rise in rebellion on February 12, 1867, but at the last moment the Rising was called off. Messengers were sent on horseback throughout the country with their message of postponement. No messenger reached Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland or the villages of Iveragh. The Kerrymen rose alone. They crossed to the gathering place at Ballycarberry Castle in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Irealnd. At dawn on February 12th, the ill-equipped, but resolute band set out for Killarney, to try and alter a nation's history. The small band of Kerrymen, heavily outnumbered, and with few weapons, fought gallantly, but was forced to retreat. In the wild caves by the Atlantic they hid until the ghostly Luggers came to bring them to America-and to freedom.