Two Perspectives, One Homestay Journey

Every homestay experience offers two perspectives — that of the host family welcoming a student into their home, and that of the student adapting to a new culture, language, and way of life.

In this two-part feature, we first hear from Alessandro, who shares his own experience of living in the UK, settling into a new environment, and the personal and academic growth he achieved during his stay. We then turn to Ollie and Samm, who reflect on their experience of welcoming Sara into their home. Their account highlights the realities of daily family life, cultural exchange, and the relationships formed along the way. Together, these two viewpoints provide a fuller picture of what homestay immersion truly means — not just as a language programme, but as a shared human experience built on connection, understanding, and everyday life.

Becoming Part of the Family: An Italian Student’s UK Experience

From the beginning, Alessandro entered a busy and welcoming household with three young children. What could have been an overwhelming transition quickly became a defining strength of the placement. As the host mother reflected, “From day one, they just became part of the family. It felt completely natural.” That sense of belonging shaped the entire experience.

Daily life in a lively home environment offered constant language exposure and personal growth. Alessandro described the atmosphere as “full of energy every single day,” and gradually adapted to routines that felt both challenging and rewarding. The presence of the children created a warm and dynamic setting, encouraging patience, humour, and confidence in everyday communication.

The host parents each contributed something unique. The mother provided consistency and reassurance throughout the stay, while the father shared his skills and interests, from blacksmith work to evenings of karaoke. He commented, “It was great to share what I do and see such genuine interest. We had some unforgettable moments together.”

Weekends brought further enrichment through shared experiences, including visits to Thorpe Park and Legoland, trips into London, airsoft games, and time on the water. These activities strengthened bonds and created lasting memories beyond the classroom.

Academically, the student adapted well to the British education system, building friendships and improving language fluency with the support of encouraging teachers. Reflecting on the placement, the student noted, “This experience has changed me completely. I will never forget the kindness and the life I became part of here.”

EIL is delighted with the success of this placement, which demonstrates the value of full cultural immersion in fostering confidence, independence, and lifelong connection.

Watch Alessandro’s moving tribute to his host family as he reflects on the special moments, connections, and memories they’ve shared together.

Learning, Living, Belonging: Sara’s Time with Her UK Host Family

When Sara’s placement came to a close, it marked the end of what her host family described as a truly rewarding first experience.

Reflecting on the months spent together, the family were open about how much the placement had exceeded their expectations. “The experience has been more than we had ever expected,” they explained. What stood out most for them was not only Sara’s integration into their home, but the mutual exchange of culture and daily life.

From the outset, Sara became involved in family routines and activities, quickly becoming part of everyday life in the household. In return, she shared her own background, helping the family gain a deeper understanding of life in Italy. As they put it, “To get to know so much about her culture, family and life in Italy while sharing about ours has been far more rewarding than we expected.”

A key highlight was Sara’s development in English. The family observed steady and impressive progress throughout her stay, particularly in spoken fluency and confidence. “To see her grow from speaking English OK to the fluency she has now has just been fantastic,” they said.

Beyond language, the family noted the friendships she formed and the memories created through shared experiences at home. Sara leaves not only with improved skills and confidence, but also with lasting connections.

The family expressed enthusiasm for the future, sharing that they are already looking forward to welcoming new students in the coming months, hopeful for another equally enriching experience.