Warm Up
Did you go to college?
Do you live close to your parents?
When did you live alone for the first time?
Reading
Parents in US Hire 'Moms' for University Students
Leaving home for the first time can be scary for many young people. This is even more true in countries like the United States, where students may have to move thousands of kilometers away to go to university in another state. So for parents who can't be there in person, they can now hire professional "moms" to help out their children.
These "moms" are female employees from concierge companies who work as "a mom away from home" for students. The "moms" live close to the universities, and look after students who don't have anyone nearby to help them. They help students with all kinds of tasks that their real parents may have helped them with back at home, such as cleaning their living areas, buying their groceries and washing their clothes. They can help with more "adult" tasks too such as making doctor's appointments, setting up a bank account, or paying bills.
But they can also be hired for more personal reasons. One customer, Stephanie Makowski, told The Wall Street Journal that she'd hired a "mom" when her daughter was sick with COVID-19. The "mom" brought some bread and chicken soup to Makowski's daughter, as well as flowers and a balloon to make her happy. However, hiring a "mom" can be quite expensive and can cost thousands of dollars a year for their services.
Reading Comprehension
What companies do professional "moms" work for?
What sort of tasks do professional "moms" help students with?
How much does it cost to hire a "mom"?
Discussion Questions
What are your thoughts on professional "moms"?
Do you think a similar service would be popular in your country?
What would you say is the most daunting thing about starting university?
At what age do people in your country typically move out of their family home?
If you could hire someone to help you with one everyday task, what would it be?
What tips would you give to someone starting college?
If you were to start college tomorrow, what would you choose to study?
How expensive is higher education in your country?
Do you think college education should be free for everyone?
College is the reward for surviving high school. — Judd Apatow. What do you make of this statement?
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