”Meet Jayani, a vibrant Berlin-based host who shares her first experience hosting with StayingBee. In this testimony, she talks about what helped her feel safe as a first-time host, the little things she does to make guests feel at home, and how hosting has changed the way she thinks about travel. Get an honest look at what hosting is really like and see if it’s right for you!”
We spoke with Jayani, a Berlin-based StayingBee host, about her first hosting experience.
She shares how trust and community gave her the confidence to open her home, and how hosting through StayingBee has inspired her future travel plans.
I’m Jayani, I’m originally from Sri Lanka and I’ve lived in Germany for more than 7 years. I was a part of AIESEC’s marketing team and was their marketing network chair for Germany. I’ve recently graduated from university and I've started a marketing firm here in Berlin.
I was approached by StayingBee on LinkedIn to see if I would be interested in hosting. Between university and my marketing firm, it’s been hard to meet new people.
I decided to give StayingBee a try because I thought it could be a great opportunity to connect with people. And because I miss AIESEC!
My first experience was great and I was so excited to host for the first time. My guest was from Japan and she was so respectful, clean and friendly.
It was like hosting a little sister.
During her stay we shared breakfast and dinner together. She taught me a lot about Japan and Japanese culture. I found this so interesting, as I’ve always wanted to visit, but I haven’t had the chance yet!
Since it was her first time in Germany, I gave her some insight into Berlin and shared some common German culture shocks.
I didn’t. I’m a person who trusts people easily and I felt safe because it’s a closed community. It was like knowing them before I knew them.
I know that every AIESECer has the same goal, vision and mindset and that we’re open-minded. I felt like I could trust my guest because we share a similar background.
And as a woman, I knew she may have felt nervous about staying with me, so I wanted to make sure she felt at ease.
The personal touches and human connections are what make it different.
For my guest, I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for her. Little things, like keeping the shoe rack clear, stocking up on toiletries and towels and even having house slippers ready—anything to make her feel at home.
My family owns a guest house in Sri Lanka, so I know a bit about hospitality and how guests should be treated.
I believe we should try our best to give the best to the guest.
From the host perspective, you can see what your experience will be like as a guest. Plus, it’s an affordable option, especially when hotel prices have become such a barrier to travel.
StayingBee is motivating me to travel more, not just sightseeing but also to connect with people from that city.
Yes—100%
This is a closed platform and the communities are exclusive, so there is an extra layer of security. You’re staying with people who are part of the same community as you, so there’s already a level of trust that you wouldn’t get with a stranger.
I felt like I knew my guest before I even met her.
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Jayani is a Berlin-based marketer and former AIESEC member.
Follow her on Linkedin and Instagram
