Company Information
Guest Guidance
A homestay is a unique opportunity where guests and hosts families are able to experience, learn, and grow together through cultural exchange. This type of relationship is achieved through a high degree of mutual respect, a willingness to learn, and a mutual desire to participate. At Ojisu, it is our mission to help establish these long-term, trusting connections through education, technology, and sharing.
Becoming a guest with Ojisu
Who can stay as a guest with Ojisu?
We welcome anyone to sign up as a guest on Ojisu.com. Regardless of whether you or your child are looking to stay with a homestay family for a short-term vacation or long-term studying abroad program, we welcome you to join our international community!Are there any age requirements?
Nope! We set up homestays for guests of all ages. Please understand that there are many reasons that may lead to a guest-host fit not being a great one. For example, some hosts are more interested in guests under 18, while some are interesting in hosting guests over 18. Some guests require amenities that certain hosts can’t provide, certain hosts don’t allow guests who smoke, etc.
For guests under 18 years old:
At the end of the booking process, you must either:
1) provide proof of domestic guardianship in the US or
2) purchase guardianship services from American Homestay Services (AHS) along with the booking.
For guests above 18 years old:
Please feel free to explore Ojisu, we hope you have wonderful experience with our hosts around the US!Do I need US health insurance as a guest?
It is highly recommended that all guests are insured in the US. In general, hosts strongly prefer that guests have domestic health insurance coverage. Hosts will be able to see whether or not a guest has insurance on their profile.
If I am under 18, do I need US guardianship as a guest?
Yes, all guests who are under 18, must either (1) provide proof of domestic guardianship in the US, or (2) purchase guardianship services from American Homestay Services (AHS) along with the booking.
Do I need to be a student to stay with a homestay family?
Nope! Although we commonly coordinate homestays for international students, we support all guests who want to get a genuine taste of local, American life through living with a host family.
What are the general standards for staying as a guest with Ojisu?
Think of it this way, how would you want someone to behave if they were staying in your home? Ojisu and our hosts expect our guests to respect hosts and hosts’ homes. This includes cleaning up after yourself, being kind, etc.
Do I need to provide anything to host families other than the stipend?
Just an open mind!
Expectations regarding respecting host privacy:
It is expected that you fully respect the privacy and living quarters of your homestay host.1) Guests must give hosts private time and private space. That includes, not entering their room, bathroom, etc without permission and not harassing them.
2) The use of any camera or video recording or monitoring of host or guest behavior is strictly prohibited. This behavior will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
3) Hosts reserve the right to not disclose personal contact information to guests both during and post homestay.Expectations regarding discrimination:
Guests may not discriminate against, decline a host, or impose special terms or conditions upon a host based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or marital status.Hosts may not discriminate against, decline a guest, or impose special terms or conditions upon a guest based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or marital status.
Guest Profile
Why do I need to verify my age?
Hosts need to know your age! Hosts will view your booking request and your profile before they choose to either accept or decline you as a guest.Guests under 18 years old can register on Ojisu.com. However, if you are under 18, you must have provide proof of US guardianship, or purchase guardianship services before you complete the booking process.
Will my private information remain secure?
Yes, all private information (such as your email address, phone number, and all other private info) that you submit to Ojisu.com will be kept safe and secure. Private details will only be accessible to our local coordinators and/or Ojisu.com. We will not provide this information to any third parties.
Booking
Why can't I call, text, or email with hosts before signing the host agreement?For liability purposes, all communications between guests and hosts will exclusively occur on Ojisu.com’s instant messenger platform. Please refrain from sending personal contact information, such as email, phone number, or address, on Ojisu.com’s messenger platform. The platform will censor these words and you might receive a warning message.
What should I do after the hosts ACCEPT my booking?
Congrats! You about to embark on an exciting adventure. Next, you can go ahead and pay for the booking. After your stay has been paid for, all that is left is to communicate the details of the move in with your host family.
What should I do after the hosts DECLINE my booking?
Hey, no biggie! There are plenty of homestays out there, one of which is right for you. Keep browsing our platform and identifying potential homestays.
Can I cancel my booking after I make the payment?
Can I negotiate the homestay fees and/or amenities with hosts?
You may ask hosts to negotiate the homestay fees and included amenities (ex. Inclusion of meals, transportation, etc.). It is the host’s decision though whether or not they are willing to negotiate pricing and/or change their offering.
Payment
How do I pay online?
Our online payment system supports online payment via Visa, Mastercard, Wechat, and Alipay. We will soon also support PayPal. Please note that a 3% transaction fee will be added to all online payments.Can I pay via check or other methods?
We only online credit card or debit card payments. We apologize for any inconvenience.
When do I pay the refundable deposit?
The refundable deposit is required at the end of the online booking process.
When can I get my deposit back?
Your deposit will be issued back to you upon the completion of your stay. Transactions usually take anywhere from 7-10 business days.
Disclaimer of Liability
The host is liable for the guest throughout the duration of the homestay, including, but not limited to the following circumstances:
1) If it so happens that, as a guest, you cause a significant amount of damage to a host’s home during the duration of the homestay, you will be liable for all damages. Ojisu is not liable for damages.2) For guests under 18 years of age, an adult must be present whenever the guest is home. Under-age guests are not allowed to be home alone.
Issues regarding food poisoning, serving of expired food, etc. on part of the host are to be solved internally between the host and the guest, as the stipend agreed upon between the host and guest encompasses meal fees. Ojisu will not be liable for issues of this nature.
