Host

Host Family homestay EIL UK logo

Are you interested in learning about other cultures?
Is your family warm and welcoming?

Host families are the beating heart of EIL UK. The homestay underpins the ethos of our organisation; intercultural exchange and experiences create a more peaceful, tolerant and understanding world.

Could you offer students or adults an immersive experience of everyday life in your family, community and country? We are always looking for homes to host people from other countries and cultures while they visit, whether for a weekend, a few weeks, or an academic year.

Could you share your way of life?

Day Visits
International university students spend the day with you, usually a Saturday or Sunday.

Weekend Homestay
International university students arrive on a Friday evening and leave just before or after lunch on a Sunday.

Short Stay
Families also host individuals for short stays lasting one to four weeks. Participants might be a young person or an adult, a university student or a volunteer.

Academic Study Programmes
Students are aged 15 to 18 years. They live with a host family and attend high schools or colleges for 1 or 2 terms or the academic year. This programme gives students the chance to live and study in different cultural environment, improve their English language skills, and develop their independence.

Cultural Education Groups
Group visits for adults and young people are organised to various places of cultural interest. They take part in workshops, learn a new language or volunteer for local community organisations. Each student has the opportunity to live with a host family for one to four weeks.

Can you offer a home from home?

A homestay host family in their local community with their international visitors
“There was a great mix of getting out of the house to do sightseeing and just spending time at home in front of the fire getting to know our host family. It’s ok to be nervous about meeting new people with new customs in a new country. The important thing is that you let go a little and just enjoy the ride.”
Katherine, USA, February 2017

 

“We went for a beautiful, scenic drive and then went hiking by a waterfall in the heart of the Lake District. I may not have been inclined to visit if it weren’t for my homestay, and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to do so.”
Mary, USA, March 2017

A few questions?

  1. How long do I have to commit to hosting?
    You can commit to what you’re comfortable with. Many of our families host year after year, but we know that things change so you are welcome to take a break at any time.
  2. What do I need to do as a host?
    People coming over from other cultures want to experience life as part of your family – eating meals together and exploring your local community and its traditions. We encourage host families to make their house rules clear and this is something we can support you with.
  3. Do I get paid?
    We give families a contribution toward hosting which depends on the length of the homestay.
  4. What about insurance?
    You will need to show that you have household insurance, to make sure that both you and your visitor are protected in case anything happens. Most policies will already cover you.
  5. I live on my own, can I still be a host family?
    Anyone can be a host family. What matters most is a warm, friendly “home from home”. You could live on your own, be a single parent or have an extended family the size of a football team.
  6. I’m not sure about hosting. What else can I do to help EIL UK?
    Hosting isn’t for everyone, but there are always things you can do to help us. Please drop us an email or call the EIL UK team to find out how you can help.

Interested in finding out more?

If you would like to know more, or speak to someone about hosting before making a commitment, please contact Linda on 01684 562577 or at host@eiluk.org.

Help us share the message

EIL UK host family homestay information leaflet flyer: Would you like to know more about hosting?

If you would like to support EIL UK please share this flier. We’re grateful if you could let us know where and how you have shared it so we know who to thank. Just click on the picture to the right and you can save and share it far and wide.

Let us know you’re interested…

If you’re interested in learning about other cultures and sharing your way of life, are a warm and welcoming family and have a spare room in your home, please fill in the contact form below and we will get in touch with you within a week. Some of our staff are part time, so thank you for your patience if it takes a few days for us to reply.

    Expression of Interest Form

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    What do you have in your community that you think people might like to see or be involved in?

    Where did you hear about this opportunity?

    We have international students from across the world. Who would you be most interested in hosting with your family?

    North America        Central America        South America

    Asia        Europe        Russia

    Africa        Australia / New Zealand        Middle East

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