Language Immersion Stay at Marla's

My daughter had 3 unforgettable weeks in Saint-Georges with Marla and Mike. First of all, Marla is a very serious and responsible person when it comes to the administrative aspects regarding flights and the organization of the trip. She is also a very endearing person, very kind, who always makes sure your child lacks nothing. The 3 weeks passed very quickly, Marla always ensures to offer one or more activities during the day. For us, the goal of this language trip was that our child would not meet any French speakers and that she would be totally immersed. We are very satisfied with that. Mike also took the time to entertain our daughter by showing her beautiful viewpoints; they live in a nice region where hiking is great. Additionally, she discovered sports like pickleball, played board games, all in a warm and joyful atmosphere. Marla and Mike also introduced her to the heart of America by visiting friends in Wyoming for the national holiday where she met very friendly people; and the grand finale with a visit to Las Vegas! It was a wonderful experience, I highly recommend Marla and Mike!

During the period of April 2023, our two daughters (12 and 14 years old) stayed for 10 days with Mike & Marla. Given their age, it was not easy for us to let our children go to the other side of the world alone. But we were very lucky! Marla is a very kind and very responsible person, which is the perfect combination for children and their parents. The kids had 10 wonderful days and did not want to leave. I highly recommend this family who will welcome you in a warm environment. A thousand thanks to Marla and Mike Nathalie (mother of the girls)

Perfect communication from start to finish and no unpleasant surprises. Marla is very committed to making the stay intense and enjoyable. She is thoughtful and caring. Perfect for a first language stay from Europe.

I advise against this family if you want an enriching experience. They are not bad people, living in a beautiful house in a lovely setting and region... However, I invite you to read about my experience with them and to form your own opinion... I stayed with this host family in Utah for a week and a half (I had booked for two weeks, but I had to spend my last days elsewhere following a message from the family indicating that the last days with them might be uncomfortable). At first, everything seemed normal, so I accepted the rules imposed by the family without complaining. Indeed, all food was prohibited in my room and everything I bought had to be in the family’s food cupboard, the problem being that with this arrangement, I couldn't eat the food I bought. At first, I was told that I could take whatever I wanted from the fridge or cupboard. However, at the time of making a sandwich for dinner, which was what I was offered, I was only allowed to use the sandwich meat, although there was plenty of smoked meat in the fridge that I could have included. I couldn't take bananas because otherwise, the husband might run out of his two weekly bananas. I couldn't drink the same milk. Instead of a sandwich, I asked for salad since there was half a pack in the fridge at the beginning of the second week, and I was told that they preferred I eat it not at lunch but at dinner because they wouldn't buy more for the end of the week... I was reproached for going to the bathroom at night and flushing the toilet because it made noise and woke up the lady sleeping in the adjacent room since she slept with the door wide open because of her cats. In the evenings, they watch TV loudly among themselves until around 10 PM without making any effort even when I tell them that I'm going to sleep. Then in the morning when I want to go for a run in the cool air, I'm told no because the door will make noise and they don't want to be woken up, so I would have to be ready and go when everyone is awake, around 8:30 AM but not before. There were several WiFi outages starting from the beginning of the second week for reasons I do not understand, and when I ask about it, I'm told that sometimes the WiFi does this. However, the hosts are not on the same WiFi as the family, and the family's WiFi works perfectly. But I couldn't communicate or work on my university courses without the internet, and the family told me to wait; the WiFi goes in and out during the day. Seeing that it was not working, I asked the family again, and they told me that these were bugs, but then these bugs have specific timings… During the day, we don't do much; the family communicates very little, and it is up to me to go see them to try to communicate; otherwise, they don't talk. Whenever I ask to be taken somewhere like a shopping center, the family sighs as if it's a bother. They explain to me that the husband does not want his wife to waste gas driving back and forth. Sometimes for meals, we go to a restaurant, so I have no choice; either they order for me, or they order items for which they have discounts for themselves, and I have to nibble from their plates to have something, but I have no choice and always with water to drink, which is free. The waitress, getting to know them after several times, seeing that I am not ordering anything and eating very little, brings me a small bowl with carrots and celery, which are served as a side to what the family ordered so that I have something, as she sees that I eat the celery from the family's dishes, which they do not like. I paid to be picked up and taken back to the airport, and for my return, I end up having to take a bus at 10:30 PM for a 7 AM flight (Las Vegas time, so one hour less than Utah time). As I want to discover the country and the environment where I am, I ask to go hiking; I am dropped off and told that I have a few hours to follow hiking trails and return, and they give me specific times and places where I need to be. One day, I was in stores because I had asked to do some shopping for souvenirs, clothes...not liking this, the family leaves me for the afternoon and tells me that they will pick me up at 5 PM because after that they have a free activity for themselves, a pickleball lesson that is free as it's the trial session. And at 4:50 PM, I receive a message threatening me with a $30 charge if I am late for them to pick me up because that would be what the company that runs the course would charge. However, I was then 20 meters from the car of the same family member who sent this message and had never been late before for the given time, so I do not understand why these threats. In the evening, I have a curfew; if I want to go out, I have to be back before dark, which is 8 PM. I respect this rule, but one day I go out with a friend, an adult in the country, with an email authorization from my parents, and the family asks for the driver's license and license plate of my friend in a photo. I ask to come back later because my friend offers to stay for dinner at her place and watch the stars with her, and she brings me back to the same spot where she picked me up that morning, right in front of the host family's entrance. Knowing that they usually watch TV until 10 PM, I see no reason they would refuse this, as this trip is a unique experience. I politely ask, and I am threatened and told that the coming days will not be comfortable. The family even tells me that if I enjoy being with this friend so much, I should just stay with her for the next few days. I can't believe it, shocked by this behavior and genuinely afraid of having a very unpleasant end to my stay, I show the messages to my friend, who kindly offers to let me stay at her place because she is worried about me. I therefore ask for my return ticket that the family owed me, and my friend takes me to get my things from the host family. Fearing any outbursts, I ask my friend to accompany me inside because I do not feel safe with this family and I am lucky to have a place to go. In short, here are a few actions that, taken individually, may seem trivial, but are not very pleasant when added up, especially during an experience abroad that aims to discover the language and culture of the country you are visiting.

During her stay, my daughter Canelle wanted a total immersion and the objective was achieved. Marla knows how to take into account the needs of young people and never stops wanting to satisfy them. She is very serious, diligently follows the necessary administrative procedures to enter the country, and carefully prepares for the young person's welcome in her home, where they have a bedroom and a personal bathroom, as well as all the necessary living essentials. Mike, with our permission, took her to discover the desert by motorbike and Polaris. All the reserved activities were carried out in a good mood and safely. My daughter came back with the desire to return. For this, I highly recommend Marla to young people and families wishing to experience the adventure.

My daughter Eléonore (16 years old) stayed for 5 weeks during the period of April-May 2022. She wanted to step out of the classic scheme where one stays with a family and takes collective language classes during the day. She was very well welcomed and completely integrated into the family activities. She notably went on a 5-day trip with Marla and her husband to the national parks. She returned to France with the self-confidence she had been lacking in English. Finally, it is worth noting that the place is very beautiful.