Etiquette for staying with student host

[Paperboy!]

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I assumed you were supposed to bring a gift for the host. Someone told me that it would be weird if I did that. Do I bring something or not? Any other suggestions for staying with a host? Is throwing a kegger "frowned upon"? Just kidding.

 

[Bluntman]

I assumed you were supposed to bring a gift for the host. Someone told me that it would be weird if I did that. Do I bring something or not? Any other suggestions for staying with a host? Is throwing a kegger "frowned upon"? Just kidding.

I usually take my hosts out for dinner or drinks. That way you don't have to worry about having to pack your gift in your luggage, and afterall, everyone likes food right?

 

[Paperboy!]

that's a good idea

 

[Flopotomist]

I think taking the host/s to a decent dinner (not too fancy, not McDonald's) is an appropriate gesture of good will. You also have a chance to sorta talk to them about their school while at the meal, and who doesn't like good food? In the end, the meal will still be cheaper than a hotel - so food would be my vote.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I assumed you were supposed to bring a gift for the host. Someone told me that it would be weird if I did that. Do I bring something or not? Any other suggestions for staying with a host? Is throwing a kegger "frowned upon"? Just kidding.

I bought mine a drink.

 

[kirexhana]

i always give a gift card to starbucks cuz half of the hosts i've had needed to study for an upcoming exam or something so it's good to keep one of those on hand, just in case they can't go out.

 

[Depakote]

Buy dinner and possibly drinks for your host (and roommates if you're putting them out). You should be square after that.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

Dinner works best - I budgeted $30-40/meal, but for my NYC interviews, it turned out to be a bit more than that because of the city. I brought a bottle of wine from my cellar ("Conundrum", for you oenophiles) since one of my hosts (a good friend of mine) was really busy with school.

 

[ChocolateKiss]

I assumed you were supposed to bring a gift for the host. Someone told me that it would be weird if I did that. Do I bring something or not? Any other suggestions for staying with a host? Is throwing a kegger "frowned upon"? Just kidding.

I always brought chocolates for my hosts. Dinner doesn't work if you fly in at night and leave right after your interview. Plus, who knows if they'll have time to go out to dinner or if they'll have other dinner plans already set up. Chocolates are always a safe bet, and you can even buy some nice ones at the airport after you arrive if you don't want to pack them.

My hosts were always really happy to get the chocolates, but none seemed to expect a gift.

I also left them all thank you notes.

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

The host is just a student a few years older than you. Just chill and buy some drinks/food when you go out with them. If you're really paranoid pick up some nice chocolates at the airport. You can't possibly go wrong w/ chocolates.

 

[kesse]

Med students don't usually have time to go out to a sit-down dinner. Order pizza or something. If you really feel like giving them a present, go for a starbucks gift card or something that they can use.

 

[Depakote]

Med students don't usually have time to go out to a sit-down dinner. Order pizza or something. If you really feel like giving them a present, go for a starbucks gift card or something that they can use.

3/2/06?

This looks like a Job for...

 

[sheepunite]

i sent my wisconsin host some monkey magnets.
i brought my case host a loaf of zingerman's sourdough (ann arbor favorite) and a moleskine.

 

[Quix]

The host is just a student a few years older than you.

Heh, not for us non-trads. We probably baby-sat them. 😉

 

[ICCONFETTI]

Lol Depakote. You are hilarious.

 

[QofQuimica]

I assumed you were supposed to bring a gift for the host. Someone told me that it would be weird if I did that. Do I bring something or not? Any other suggestions for staying with a host? Is throwing a kegger "frowned upon"? Just kidding.

I think it's a nice thing to do. I always brought my hosts a box of chocolates too. Now that I'm a host myself, I don't expect the students who stay with me to bring me gifts, but it's a nice touch if they do. 🙂

 

[maestro1625]

i sent my wisconsin host some monkey magnets.
i brought my case host a loaf of zingerman's sourdough (ann arbor favorite) and a moleskine.

mmmmm.... Zingerman's.....

 

[Dookter]

i always give a gift card to starbucks cuz half of the hosts i've had needed to study for an upcoming exam or something so it's good to keep one of those on hand, just in case they can't go out.

I will second this. I know for me personally, I might not be able to go out, etc., as a host. I have not hosted yet since Duke's interview season just started, but I would not expect a gift.

 

[stiffany]

My boyfriend and I periodically host for his school and I have to say the nicest hosting experiences are when the guest offers to buy him a drink or dinner AND picks up after himself (we've only hosted guys) by folding up blanket(s) used the night before instead of leaving them in piles with the sofabed out and our living room in disarray, offering to help with dishes if we cook in, et cetera instead of waiting for us to do it all. In general, while chocolate (and the Starbucks gift card - so awesome) ideas are nice, I think as long as you're a gracious guest they're unnecessary. Offer dinner, a drink, etcetera for your host (I think it's unnecessary to pick up the tab for your host's friends/partner) when you go out with the host to see the city (or offer to pick something up for them if they're too busy/pay for the pizza) and don't be a slob in their home!

 

[thedelicatessen]

When I stay with student hosts, I always bring a small, easy-to-pack box of nice chocolates for them. Everyone likes a little surprise, and we may not have the opportunity to go out for dinner or drinks.

 

[MedvacMoney]

just be nice

 

[cubbbie]

Med students don't usually have time to go out to a sit-down dinner. Order pizza or something. If you really feel like giving them a present, go for a starbucks gift card or something that they can use.

That is unless you're staying with a host at Columbia, which is apparently a Starbucks desert. I already made that mistake. Damn.

 

[HumbleMD]

Thanks for the input from actual student hosts. I'm always a little too disorganized to get a gift in advance, but usually send a thank you note later with a gift card. Does this seem like a good idea, or rude?

 

[tch001]

I baked mine cookies in the shape of bones and hearts (i'm a dork, I know). They seemed to like that 😳)

 

[QofQuimica]

I baked mine cookies in the shape of bones and hearts (i'm a dork, I know). They seemed to like that 😳)

I would seriously love it if one of my hostees did that for me. 👍

Humble, I think that's very nice of you. Why would you think it's rude to send someone a thank you note and a gift card? 😕

 

[HumbleMD]

I would seriously love it if one of my hostees did that for me. 👍

Humble, I think that's very nice of you. Why would you think it's rude to send someone a thank you note and a gift card? 😕

I was wondering if I should try harder to bring something when I'm there instead. Like a said, I usually just don't have it all together to get them a gift in advance.

 

[Cirrus83]

That is unless you're staying with a host at Columbia, which is apparently a Starbucks desert. I already made that mistake. Damn.

lol, don't worry, I'm sure your host will eventually venture out into midtown manhattan, where there are approximately 8 starbucks per block, if not 9.

Seriously though, there might not be starbucks in every neighborhood but I can pretty much guarantee you that someone living in NYC will be able to spend their Starbucks gift card sooner or later.