Each student has the option of staying in a hotel, apartment, with a host family provided by ECI, or with a family member that already lives in the city. ECI ELP will arrange host family and hotel accommodations for each student, if requested. ECI ELP cannot arrange apartment or family member accommodations; this must be done by the student before his/her arrival in the United States. ECI ELP recommends that students who are interested in an apartment should stay at the hotel near ECI temporarily, and ECI will help the student locate an apartment. Host Families Living with the host family helps the students with their assimilation into the new community. You need to be willing to change your ways and adapt to a new culture (including adapting to the family's schedule). The host family will provide transportation to and from the ECI Language School and provide breakfast and supper for the student. Lunch, during the week, will be the student's responsibility. There is a café and a cafeteria located in the building and many nearby restaurants that are within walking distance of ECI. Living with a host family means that you will become part of the family. You will not be a guest, but a family member. You should help with small responsibilities (chores) like helping set the table, cleaning dishes, taking out the trash, cleaning your bedroom, etc. Usually, members of the family share responsibilities around the house. Things to remember when living with a host family: Communicate openly with the host family Participate in activities with the family Ask before doing (ask, do not tell) Obey the house rules Be respectful in order to gain the respect of the host family No driving host family vehicles If you want more independence and do not like to operate on other people's schedules, then living with a host family is not for you. If you are younger and would like "American parents," then a host family would be ideal. Each family is carefully chosen and screened through a background check. ECI realizes that a host family is not the best option for everyone; therefore, a variety of accommodations is available. Typical American meals consist of:   Breakfast     Food (usually one of the following)       Cold Cereal       Oatmeal       Fruit       Bread (bagel, toast and jelly)     Drink       Orange/Apple juice       Milk       Coffee       Hot tea   Supper       A meat (beef, pork, chicken, or fish)       One or two vegetables (usually canned or frozen)       Bread (biscuits, dinner rolls, etc.) Americans usually eat two or three good suppers a week, while the other meals might consist of pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, etc. Americans usually live very busy lives and do not take the time to enjoy a large supper. Some families do not even sit down and eat at the table, but eat when it is convenient. Helping with Apartment Accomodations Both campuses of ECI (ECI Main campus in RIchardson, TX, and ECI Dallas campus in Farmers Branch, TX) are located within walking distance of apartment complexes that gives students the opportunity to live nearby and walk to the campuses. Hotel ECI has established a relationship with a hotel that is within walking distance of ECI Main Campus in Richardson, TX. Please contact ECI for current prices and down payments required. The hotel provides the following:     Free continental breakfast (usually includes sweet bread, cereal, and juice)     Computer I/P ports with fast internet access     Exercise room     Guest laundry room     Fax/photocopy service     Restaurants nearby     100% smoke-free environment     Voicemail     Free local calls     Irons/ironing boards     Hair dryers     Coffee makers     Clock radios     HBO/CNN/ESPN     Refrigerators     Microwave ovens     Meets ADA requirements ECI English Language Program home page Program and Levels Courses and Schedule Session Calendar Tuition fee and fees Accreditation Visa Information Arrival Information Testing Student Advising