Q 2: What is the ruling on living with foreign families for those who travel abroad to study and learn more of the language?
A: It is not permissible to live with foreign families, as this may expose the student to Fitnah (temptation) by getting attracted to the manners of the Kafirs (disbelievers) and to their women. There has to be a place for the student to live far away from the causes that may excite Fitnah. This is all assuming that we say that a student is allowed to travel to nonMuslim countries in order to learn. The correct opinion is that it is not permissible to travel to nonMuslim countries to learn except in cases of extreme necessity, on the condition that the student has Islamic knowledge and awareness and that he will keep away from the sources of Fitnah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Allah shall not accept any deed from the Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) after becoming a Muslim until they part with the Mushriks." (Related by AlNasa'y with a good Isnad [chain of narrators]) He (peace be upon him) also stated, "I disavow any Muslim who stays among the Mushriks."(Related by Abu Dawud, AlTirmidhi and AlNasa'y with an authentic Isnad) There are many Hadiths that stress this meaning.
Muslims must beware of traveling to the lands of Mushriks except in case of extreme necessity, unless the person who travels has Islamic knowledge and deep insight, and intends to practice Da'wah (calling to Islam) and guide the people. Then this is an exceptional case, and there is a lot of good in this, as such a person is calling the Mushriks to believe in the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid) and teaching them the Shari'ah (Law) of Allah. So he is doing good and is farremoved from danger because of his knowledge and awareness. And Allah is the One sought for help.