Tuesday 24 September 2013

Things to do in Littlehampton



Located on the south coast of England, Littlehampton is a fantastic beach resort, packed with interesting sights and attractions. A traditional town, bustling with personality and colour, this is a destination perfect for families to enjoy the summer. 

There is always plenty to do in the town of Littlehampton. With some truly excellent beaches with blue flag grading, you can always relax by the sea. The beach to the east is sandy and particularly popular with children looking to make sandcastles. 

Littlehampton has a majestic promenade, including its very own train ride, perfect for a spot of sight seeing. Indulge in many ice cream parlours, vans and cafes along the coast. If you fancy a spot of golf, then you can partake in the crazy version and include all the family.

Take a seat on the ‘longest bench’ – a spectacular, recycled timber bench, full of coloured slats to take in the sea views. This renowned landmark is a must see, and lends itself well to a great deal of photo opportunities.

Along the coast, you’ll discover lots of activities and water sports to join in with. From jet skiing, to kite surfing, speed boating, canoeing, fishing trips and much more, Littlehampton is a place worthy of visiting for its beach alone.

With its very own harbour, Littlehampton offers some outstanding walks along the promenade, riversides, old streets and national park. With a the famous Look and Sea Centre Tower, you will get to see some memorable sights from one of the best vantage points on the south coast. 

If you like shopping, then Littlehampton has an attractive centre with a range of high street stores. It isn’t a large town, so you will find it relatively easy to navigate and enjoy the local bars and cafes. There is also a museum, free of charge, where you can explore the many interesting artefacts within.

With ferry tours, speed boat rides, soaring observation towers, rolling hills in national parkland, a welcoming town centre and a beautiful beach, Littlehampton has it all to offer any visitor. A classic south coast town, Littlehampton has no end of things to do and places to go for singles, couples or families. There is plenty of affordable accommodation available and many are within minutes of the seafront. With a fascinating history, Littlehampton is one of England’s most iconic south coast resorts and remains incredibly popular still today. 

Many students enjoy visiting the Littlehampton area to learn more about English seaside towns, and we are always on the look out for host families in Littlehampton.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Hosting Students - The Pros And Cons



Hosting foreign students, who come to stay in the UK as a base for learning English or other studies is growing in popularity. As the owner of the home, it is down to you to provide adequate space and hospitality for the student to experience, in exchange for money. The duration of the stays can vary, but they are usually no longer than two school terms and most often occur in the summer months.
Hosting students for the first time can be an exciting, yet daunting prospect for many. It is very much advised to research the area thoroughly before hosting and to familiarise yourself with what to expect. It is often a rewarding and memorable experience for both the host and student and long-lasting friendships can be formed as a result of the stay. However, there can be potential drawbacks to be aware of and so it is wise to weigh up the pros and cons, before you decide to host.
The pros for you and your partner or family are, most notably, the financial reward. The extra income can be extremely beneficial to many and is sometimes the foremost incentive for hosting.
Furthermore, if you have children, then they will learn a lot from the experience. To interact with a foreign student can be extremely enlightening and teach them all sorts of invaluable things about different languages and cultures. So too will you. You may find yourself learning the student's language and becoming familiar with parts of their culture. It might even encourage you to travel more and become more adventurous as a result. Hosting really can change your life in many ways.
The cons mostly come down to practical issues and difficulties in understanding between the two parties. You may also be unlucky and host a student who doesn't abide by your rules and take advantage of your hospitality, although this is rare. The best way to avoid this from happening is to make them feel comfortable and o keep communication open at all times, without becoming interrogatory.
Research reputable exchange companies as well to avoid bringing in students who may cause you trouble. You can get plenty of helpful information from these organisations and they are happy to answer any queries you may have.
The best advice is to have fun and try to share happy times with the student. Lastly, give them space too. It is tempting to be over bearing with the student, but keep in mind that they may wish for their own space for study time and socialising too. Hosting students can provide you with memories of a lifetime and most report only positive feedback, so contact your local exchange provider and find out more.