what is it like to be a host family?
"What is it like to be a host family for International students?" is something that we get asked a lot. What is included? what do host families do? and how much do we get paid to host students? We have asked some of our current host families these all-important questions so that you can hear it from the people that do open up their homes to students during their time away from boarding school.
Students will sometimes need a host family to stay with during their UK boarding schools' half term or exeat breaks, these are not long term holidays and this is where the need for host families comes from as not all students will return home for these breaks. You can always let us know if you would prefer to host male or female students and also if there are certain age groups that you feel would fit in better with your family unit, we will do our best to match you with a student that fits this.
When a family decides to utilise a spare room that they have in their house, their thoughts may turn to hosting a foreign student. Here at Bright World, once a family has completed the application form, passed our Safer Recruitment process, and is ready to host, we will match them to students that have requested to stay with a host in the local area.
a valuable extra income
At Bright world we pay £45/student/day for hosting international students and for collecting & dropping the student back at school locally we also pay 55p/mile. If you want to take the student out always check with Head Office and, as long as we have permission from their parents, we will always reimburse you for this too. We will also pay the cost for you and anyone living in your house over the age of 16 to have an enhanced DBS completed, you will receive the certificates for this.
in the words of Susan and Peter, a Bright World host family
Host family Susan with her husband Peter have been welcoming international students into their home for the last 7 years and said;
"Our first student was from Taiwan, aged 15 and she has become part of the family. She enjoys watching Countdown and The Chase and we played Scrabble together. She also enjoys playing Monopoly with our grandchildren. She is now 21 and in her 3rd year at university. We keep in touch, and she likes to visit us whenever she can.
We have fond memories of all the students we have hosted over the 7 years. We do get students who study a lot and can have online lessons with tutors, so I work around them and make meals to suit. I try to vary meals and I generally tell them to help themselves rather than have it plated up, so that they can get as much or as little as they like.
The older students like to take the train to nearby towns. I just ask them if they will be eating out. We discuss a time to return, and I ask them to return before dark. I like to give them the opportunity to cook or bake cakes (especially if it’s their birthday). We are always on hand to offer help and advice during the students stay and take an interest in their education and their culture.
We offer a safe, warm, and comfortable environment whilst they are with us and we find it very rewarding. Bright World are always on hand if we have any concerns and offer excellent advice."
host families are very important to us
We like to encourage all students to join in with their host families where possible, enjoy meals together and to really embrace what life is like in a British family. Host families are an integral part of Bright world and are so important to us.
find out more about becoming a host family for Bright World
Enquire
To find out how to become a host family, and for a copy of our handbook, please contact our team direct on+44 (0)1273 835745 or fill in our online enquiry form below and we'll get back to you.
Frequently asked questions
Find out all you need to know about becoming a host family for Bright World by reading our FAQ.