Homestay
As a host you will need to Provide the student with a furnished bedroom, including a desk, bed, light or lamp, bedding, towels, and adequate heating. Ensure they have access to Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and transportation upon arrival and departure. Meals should be provided as half board (breakfast and evening meal) or full board for mini stays. As a host family, your role will depend on the type of student assigned to you, but generally, you are expected to care for them as you would your own children. Engage with them, share meals, check on their well-being, and ensure they have communicated with their parents.

For more information please refer to our guidelines.

Most students will have some level of English, but their proficiency will differ. Keep in mind, their purpose for visiting is to enhance and practice their English during their homestay, to immerse themselves in British culture, and to engage in conversational English with you and your family.

Students are expected to respect the family they are staying with and follow the house rules. It’s a good idea to communicate these rules on the day of arrival to avoid any misunderstandings.

Some suggested house rules include:

– Being quiet after 9:30 pm to allow the household to settle for the evening.

– Showering in the evening to prevent delays in the morning.

– Eating meals with the family, or at least sitting with them if eating times differ.

– If self-catering, cooking before 9 pm to avoid disruptions.

– Respecting that the family will be asleep or in bed after 10 pm.

– Not going out unless specifically allowed.

– Avoiding phone or Skype calls after 9:30 pm.

– Not teasing or bothering house pets.

– Not showering after 9:30 pm.

– Enjoying their stay and feeling comfortable in the home.

After completing our online application form and verification process, you will receive an email with a welcome letter. Please take the time to read it thoroughly. We will then contact you to schedule a visit. During the visit, we will review your required ID documentation and meet your family. We’ll also discuss the type of hosting you’d like to do and what kind of student would best suit your home and lifestyle. Based on our demand and suitability, we will proceed to place students with you.

Yes, you can host up to four students per home. Our mini stays usually prefer groups of 2, 3, or 4. Hosting multiple students can provide them with a companion and offer your family the opportunity to learn about another culture. 

In some stays or courses, a single placement may be required. We also receive requests to avoid hosting other students of the same mother tongue in the home at the same time. If you have only one room available, it could be suitable for these types of students.

We understand that some hosts may accommodate students from other schools, but please be cautious, as we never know when a student might book.

Help is just a phone call away – group leaders are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As agreed in the host contract, please avoid discussing any financial arrangements with your students or other prospective host families. This information is confidential and may cause discomfort for students or other hosts. Additionally, private hosting for a student introduced by us is not recommended. If their friends or others request to stay in your home, you must inform us immediately.

All remuneration details will be outlined in the student’s offer letter. Our rates range from £27 to £35 per night, depending on the stay or group. 

Please refer to our food allergies section below for suggestions and information on food intolerances you may encounter while hosting. We hope the details provided offer helpful guidance for your needs.

But we just expect you to cook what you do for your family.

All payments are made directly to your bank account on the evening prior to departure.

Our prices vary depending on each group:

Please treat our students as you would want a family overseas to treat your own children. For those under 18, the Duty of Care is significantly greater, and this will be explained for each group of younger students or outlined in your arrival letter.

Be sure to also review our Duty of Care in the guidelines or on the policy page.

Host families must have appropriate home insurance. Check if your current policy covers damages caused by students, as well as fire and their belongings; if not, you’ll need to add this coverage. For your safety, avoid leaving valuables lying around, and ensure your personal bedroom door has a lock if you have valuable items.

Regarding car insurance for occasional student transportation, confirm with your insurer whether your policy includes this coverage. Please note, this is not our responsibility.

We will provide all the support you need, with dedicated staff in each area who are always ready to assist you. 

Our Welfare Officer is available around the clock.

Students either walk, take a bus, use the train, or need to be dropped off at the required location, depending on the group you are hosting. We will always inform you of the specific requirements during allocation.

Mini Stays – Daily drop-off and pick-up are required.

Summer School – A bus pass is issued starting from Day 1.

Please refer to the following links to assist in preparing special diets, as we sometimes have students who require their meals to be cooked in a specific way or with particular ingredients. To support you, we’ve prepared some meal suggestions to get you started:

Vegan – Download PDF Meal Suggestions Booklet  

Halal* – Download PDF Meal Suggestions Booklet  

Lactose-Free – Download PDF Meal Suggestions Booklet  

Vegetarian – Download PDF Meal Suggestions Booklet  

Gluten-Free – Download PDF Meal Suggestions Booklet  

*What is Halal and how can I include it in our regular diet?

Cooking Halal is usually less complicated than it might seem, especially if you live in a city with Halal butchers. Halal refers to the process by which meat is butchered and treated, similar to Kosher practices. Preparing Halal dishes is not much different from other meals. However, when a student identifies as a Halal eater, it’s helpful to have a conversation about their needs. Avoid PORK and alcohol entirely.