Long Homestay Experience

Besides giving our customers the chance to experience Rwandan culture through host family experience, our homestay program also gives participants the opportunity to learn the local language, cultural lessons, weekly cultural debrief sessions and volunteering/internship opportunities. 

Host family experience in Kigali 

• Stay with a Rwandan host family.
• Share breakfast and dinner. 
• Learn their culture and teach your culture. 

Cultural Mentorship Sessions

• One on one sessions to debrief cultural experiences and cultural adaptation process curve. 

Volunteering/ Internships

• Work with organizations, start-ups doing what you love to do. ​

Optional Classes and Workshops 

• 10 Introductory local language classes
• Rwanda cultural awareness 
• Home grown solutions. 
• History of Rwanda and unity and reconciliation process (Meet a Genocide survivor and a Genocide perpetrator who reconciled and hear their amazing reconciliation story)

Customer Reviews 

My visit to Rwanda with Impact Route was an incredible experience. I was able to stay with Justin and his family for a month. During this time, I was welcomed with open arms and immediately made to feel like I was part of the family. My favorite part of living with Justin's family was getting to know his children. We played lots of games, made up dances and shared many meals together. Justin also helped me set up internships with a local primary school and sexual reproductive health clinic. Working in Kigali helped me to further understand Rwandan culture by helping me meet more people, explore new parts of the city and master many my commute on motorcycle. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone while travelling and fully immerse themselves in Rwandan culture.
___Allie Crimmins

I learned many, many things during my time living with my host family. Practically speaking, I learned how to cook east African food over charcoal, how to wash my clothes by hand, and enjoy new opportunities. My host family has taught me the power of generosity, the beauty of real friendship, the blessing that family is. The two lessons I learned that will stay with me forever are that you grow where you are loved and joy is not based on circumstances. 
I have been as loved and accepted in my host family as I have in my biological family. They have encouraged me, supported me, and extended so much grace towards me. Because of this I’ve seen tremendous growth in my personal life. 
I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in learning more about themselves and others. This is the perfect program for anyone who desires to be stretched and challenged in the most life giving way possible. If you do this experience, you will leave with a much greater understanding of who you are, what you value, and how to embrace the unique personalities and values of people from a culture different than your own.
___Hannah Bellew

I was fortunate enough to stay at Justin’s for a month. He and his family went beyond my expectations, taking great care to make me feel right at home and always offering to help. Staying with Justin was an amazing opportunity to get to know Rwandan culture on a deeper level and understand what life is like in Kigali. I will remember and treasure most the long conversations around the dinner table while enjoying a home cooked meal. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to stay in Kigali for an extended period of time. You will gain a newfound appreciation for Kigali and, most importantly, some lasting friendships.
 _____Alexandrine

These past 2 months were about learning for me and what kind of man I want to become. I traveled to Rwanda by myself not knowing anyone or anything thing about the country. First day I arrived I was greeted with a loving beautiful host family Who shown me nothing but love these two months. While staying here, Mama Ganza taught me the art of forgiveness and how it will help me within the near future and it will help me help others who struggle with forgiveness. Papa Ganza showed me how a Black man can be successful and provide for his family every day of the week not even if the odds where against him. Finally we have my two beautiful amazing siblings Ganza and Keza who shown me nothing but LOVE and innocence. 
I will miss this country, but I am ready to go back to reality so that I’m the near future I can come back and complete all the dreams and promises I’ve made to these people.
Much love,
____DJ  Cline

​​Staying with Justin's family was an amazing experience. We went to church, had local food every day and deep talks about Rwandan/East African culture, which helped me feel I actually got to know something about the country. His book was also very helpful, I really liked the phrases in Kinyarwanda. Thank you very much for this!
___Lucie Vinická

Living in a host home was the best thing I could have done to adapt to the living in Rwanda. I was able to experience many new things that I would not have pursued on my own. My particular host family was wonderful at explaining unfamiliar ideas and experiences. I received even more support through my weekly check-ins with Justin. During those sessions, I was able to process and problem solve. This helped me to maintain a healthy, positive mindset.
​___Lauren McGuigan

Justin was very helpful throughout this whole process, asking and answering questions, offering advice, etc. about both Rwandan culture and my own and I enjoyed our weekly meetings and felt like I was continually learning. The family and the house he arranged for me were both good and I always felt safe and taken care of. I hope to come back to Rwanda soon!
​___Bethany Fromdahl
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