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.