a host family is very important to our students
When UK boarding schools close for exeat weekends and half terms, international students need somewhere safe, welcoming and comfortable to stay. Bright World host families provide a home from home, welcoming students into their homes for short stays throughout the school year when they can't make the long journey home.
For our host families, it is an opportunity to make a real difference to a young person's experience of studying in the UK, while sharing everyday family life and learning about another culture.
Welcoming a young person into your home is a big responsibility, which is why Bright World takes great care when selecting and approving our host families.
being a Bright World host family is a commitment – but incredibly rewarding
There are many stages to becoming a host family, so any successful candidates must be happy and willing to share personal details and open their house to our inspectors.
Families must complete a very lengthy application form to start the process, which is then reviewed by our Accommodation team. Our application and approval process is thorough because safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We need to make sure that every host family is suitable, well prepared and able to meet the needs of the students we place with them.
We then take references for each adult applicant as part of our safer recruitment process.
On rare occasions, we might not be happy with a reference, or a reference cannot be produced. In these circumstances, we would halt the application.
After references have been checked and approved, a member of the Bright World team will also visit your home for a thorough inspection. This allows us to check that the accommodation is suitable and that the necessary health, safety, insurance and fire safety requirements are met.
Finally, all members of the household aged over 16 will need to complete an enhanced DBS check. Additional checks may also be required where appropriate, for example where household members have lived overseas. To meet our safer recruitment process, we insist on an enhanced check, which alerts us to any criminal record or restrictions a household member might have.
what makes a good host family?
Our host families come from all walks of life, but they share some important qualities. They are welcoming, reliable and responsible, and genuinely enjoy having young people in their home.
You don't need to be an experienced host or have a particular type of family setup. What matters most is that you can provide a safe, comfortable home and are willing to make your student feel welcome.
once you're approved to host
Once your application and checks are complete and you've been approved, we'll begin matching you with students whose needs and location are a good fit for your household.
The first time hosting is very exciting for both the host family and the student.
Collecting your student from school
For many students, the journey from boarding school to their host family's home marks the beginning of their holiday. Being there to collect them helps them feel welcomed from the very start of their stay.
Our host families are generally expected to collect students from school at the beginning of their stay and return them to school afterwards, so being able to drive is an important part of becoming a host family.
Helping your student feel at home
Every student is different. Some will love getting involved with family activities, while others may simply want to relax after a busy term at school, or even get ahead on their studies. A good host family gets to know their student and gives them the space and encouragement they need.
You might share a family meal, watch a film together, take a walk, play a game, or simply have a chat over a cup of tea. There is no need to provide a packed itinerary of activities; often it is the ordinary moments of family life that students enjoy most.
Cultural Exchange
Hosting is also an opportunity to learn. Our students come from all over the world, and staying with a host family gives them an insight into everyday life in the UK. In return, host families have the chance to learn about different cultures, languages, traditions and family life. You may even find older students wanting to share recipes from home with you.
Supporting student wellbeing
Host families can also play an important role in supporting a student's wellbeing. Because you are spending time with your student in a relaxed home environment, you may notice changes in their mood or behaviour that aren't immediately obvious elsewhere.
If something concerns you, it's important to let Bright World know. No concern is too small, and our team is here to listen, advise and take appropriate action where needed. Bright World then works closely with schools to make sure any concerns are dealt with quickly and carefully.
making bonds for life
For many host families, what begins as a short holiday stay can develop into a lasting relationship. Students may return to the same family during future school holidays, sometimes for as many years as the student is studying here in the UK, and it can be incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and become more confident.
We are lucky to hear many similar stories from our Bright World host families, with hosts invited to attend university graduations, theatre productions and dinners with students' families.
