Are you a homeowner thinking of putting your spare room to better use by hosting accommodation for an international student? There can be understandable concerns even though you are drawn to the idea of cultural exchange – and the additional income would certainly help! A hosting organisation operating to British Council approved standards will provide key guidance and a detailed application checklist, including the all-important student preference as part of the vetting process.
Despite of future uncertainties, The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) recently reported a rise in the total number of university applicants received for the academic year starting in 2017. In particular, applications from international students had increased to 60,360 – an increase of 2 per cent. Universities and colleges have said they will continue as normal with applications and funding arrangements for the time being while Brexit is being negotiated.
Homeowners participating in a homestay accommodation scheme should also be encouraged to hear that in one recent survey, around 85 per cent of international students said they were largely “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their experience in the UK (UK Council for International Student Affairs – UKCISA, Sep 2016).
Homestay hosts work hard to try and ensure that they provide a positive experience. Your overseas guest may not always be aware that you can also be just as anxious for everything to work out OK in the first few days.
All the necessary practical and legal guidance needed
A good hosting organisation will provide a homeowner with all the necessary information required, including furniture and amenities required for the room, meal plans, guidance on bathroom and kitchen use, laundry, etc. Legal items, such as gas, electrical and fire safety are also dealt with in detail as well as the rules covering insurance and student immigration status.
Signing up to a rent a room scheme through a hosting organisation is crucial to providing all the necessary practical and legal guidance needed. But just as importantly, the key to a successful hosting is matching the requirements of both the student and the host.
To this end, your hosting organisation will ask the student about their individual food, medical or other important needs. At the same time, a host will be asked to provide a broad profile of their “preferred” type of student, such as “Will you accept smokers?” or “If requested, can you prepare vegetarian food?”
A host provider may also be expected to agree to a number of terms and conditions, aimed to ensure a student enjoys a high quality standard throughout the duration of their stay at the host’s home. The minimal, essential items is the provision of a clean and tidy room, bedding and towels, wardrobe, chest of drawers, study desk /area, and adequate heating, lighting and ventilation – including a smoke alarm.
Host to make their home as friendly and welcoming at all times
The host is also expected to provide the student with a key to the house, privacy in their room, and access to have a shower or bath at least once a day at an agreed, mutually convenient time. The arrangements for meals generally require that the host provide breakfast and dinner 7 days a week, and an optional light lunch on the weekend.
Your student will need to be made aware of eating their meals at the stated regular times with members of the family. There should be sufficient food and a varied diet including, a substantial portion of fresh food with fruit and vegetables and any particular and known dietary needs to be met. A student should also have access to facilities for making hot drinks, as and when required.
It should go without saying that the host should agree to making their home as friendly and welcoming at all times, which enables the student to relax and live as a member of the family. They should be allowed to have friends or guests visit, by mutual agreement. A major priority is to actively encourage the student to speak English. It’s a primary reason why a student, especially those on an English Learning course – will choose homestay accommodation and live with an English family.
There is no doubt that a would-be homestay host will find it much easier to enrol with an experienced and professional hosting organisation to ensure you obtain all the information and guidance you need as well as being compliant with any new rules and regulations. Your student will be reassured too – so everyone can feel more relaxed and enjoy the homestay experience.