Hosted homestay accommodation may be an international student’s first in-depth experience of the British way of life. It can often leave a lasting impression. Small things, from the type of welcome received when they first arrive at your door to the sandwich filler used for packed lunch – if part of a meal plan. They can all be part of a newly appointed host’s fast learning curve!
Established and reputable hosting organisations, such as Hosts International, are publicly listed by the British Council and operate to their approved standards. At the same time, a responsible company will always try to ensure that the preferences of the host provider and the student are as perfectly matched as possible. It’s now halfway through the autumn term, so a ‘newbie’ host with their first international student living under the roof is likely to be taking stock of their hosting skills.
You are likely to be interested in the idea of cultural exchange
If you are a homeowner with a spare room and are thinking of becoming a host provider, you are likely to be interested in the idea of cultural exchange. After all, 312,000 non-EU students as well as 125,500 EU students chose to study in Britain in 2014–15 (Universities UK). But of course, you do need to get things right. A good host knows it’s not just about placing a duvet on a bed alongside a chair, a wardrobe and an angle poise lamp at the corner of a desk.
The first months of the autumn term can be the most fraught for both student and host provider. A student may find they are having a difficulty with keeping to one or more of the ‘house rules’, e.g. use of the bathroom / shower. Or perhaps, the host may be overly anxious about every aspect of a student’s welfare and repeatedly knocking on the door to “see if you if you’re OK, or if you need anything”.
Starting off on the right foot goes a long way to help with encouraging issues to be aired – on both sides – if something needs to be said in the first days or weeks of a student’s arrival. So what can a host do in advance to put a student at ease and make them feel more comfortable living with you in the family home?
Let’s look first at the room that the boy or girl will occupy for the duration of their course, which can be up to a year or more.
Showing genuine interest to get to know your student
The more formal guidelines are concerned with items such as cleanliness, furnishing, adequate lighting, heating, studying facilities, internet / wifi. However, a little ‘personalisation’ based upon the student’s known interests will help to make the space feel a little bit more like ‘home from home’. Your young student may cringe somewhat at the choice of images you chose for a poster, wastepaper basket or lamp shade, with a face that says, “Hey, Pokémon is a game you just play on a smartphone!”. But at least they will know that you’ve tried to be warm and welcoming!
When your student arrives the first thing he or she may be thinking about is food! But you should first show them their room, the bathroom / WC and allow them to freshen up before serving their favourite snack or meal – check any food preferences / treats requested for their meal plan. Being open and showing genuine interest to get to know your student are all vital, of course. However, it is important to provide a written list of all the basic house rules you expect to be respected, such as room cleaning days, laundry, meal times, college times, late nights and the inviting of friends over.
Do a little homework of your own
At the same, remember to enquire further about anything the student (or their parent) requested on the application form and ask questions about their home country and the way they’re used to doing things. It definitely helps if you do a little homework of your own to learn about the culture of your student before they arrive. Over the first few days , you may need to help your student adjust to their new environment. Not just in your home but with general items, such as local area transport, money, and shop prices, etc
By being friendly and approachable at all times – and not just saying “yes” or “no” when asked a question – you achieve two things. Firstly, the ability to more easily get a positive response if you have to raise the subject about something a student is doing or not doing that you feel needs to be changed. Secondly, and one of the main reasons why your student is in the UK in the first place – to improve their English speaking – especially if they are on an English learning course!
Host providers often make lifelong friends with their students. Not only will they make several return visits but also recommend you to their friends and others who are looking for a “great and affordable place to stay” when they come to visit or study in the UK.
It all starts with the warm welcome at your door, followed by their favourite snack, of course…