A guide to finding and confirming your homestay with SRS — from sign-up to move-in, including placement, matching, and orientation.
SRS makes it easy for international students to find a safe, welcoming homestay in the U.S. While it’s not a self-booking platform, the process is simple and fully guided by our team.
1. Sign Up with Basic Info
Start by visiting studentroomstay.com and selecting “Start Your Journey” or “Sign Up” and enter your basic details to create your account.
2. Get an Instant Quote
After signing up, you’ll be able to generate a personalized quote based on your preferred location, stay length, and support level. This gives you a clear estimate before you move forward.
3. Pay the Placement Fee ($299 USD)
To officially begin the matching process, you’ll need to pay a $299 placement fee. This confirms your commitment and allows us to start finding the right host family for you.
Why is there a placement fee?
This fee supports the work of our placement coordinators, who carefully match you with a host based on your preferences. It covers:
- Reaching out to our host network to check availability
- Coordinating meet-and-greets
- Managing preferences and communications
- Acting as a liaison between you and potential hosts
- Ensuring all your questions are answered and the match feels right for both sides
The placement fee helps us provide a smooth, personalized experience — and ensures your homestay is a great fit from the start.
4. Complete Your Homestay Profile
You’ll then be prompted to fill out your homestay profile, where you can tell us about your preferences, school info, lifestyle, and any special requests. This helps us find the best host match for you.
5. Sit Back While We Match You
Once your profile is complete, our team does the work. We’ll search our host network, find the best fit, and present you with an option. Sometimes we offer more than one.
6. Meet Your Host on a Zoom Call
When you select a host you’re interested in, we’ll schedule a Zoom meet-and-greet to introduce you. This helps both sides feel confident before confirming.
7. Finalizing Your Host Family
Once both you and your host confirm the match, your invoice will be sent. To lock in your homestay, your first accommodation payment must be made within 3 days of receiving the invoice. This secures your host family and gives us time to properly prepare them for your arrival.
- Under 18: A semester or full-year payment is required. (Monthly plans are rarely approved — speak with your SRS representative if needed.)
- 18 and over: Monthly payments are available, though semester or full-year payments are still preferred.
We highly recommend paying by semester or full year to ensure a smooth move-in experience and guarantee your placement.
8. Complete Pre-Arrival Orientation (Immerse Academy)
Once your homestay is confirmed, you’ll begin your required pre-arrival journey with Immerse Academy — designed to help you confidently prepare for life in the U.S.
✅ Immerse Academy (Included – Required)
- Text + video lessons
- U.S. culture, communication, and homestay expectations
- Interactive quizzes + final certificate
- Self-paced, available anytime
🚀 Upgrade to Immerse Academy PRO ($300/year – Optional)
Unlock a deeper level of preparation and English fluency with live and immersive learning experiences:
- 3D VR environments (available on VR headset or your computer)
- Practice English with AI avatars in real-life scenarios
- Attend live homestay readiness sessions with SRS mentors
- Participate in interactive demos and group activities
- Learn practical skills for navigating American life with confidence
PRO is highly recommended for students who want to improve their English, boost cultural readiness, and feel fully prepared before arriving.