Living with a host family
Living with a family in the UK can be a very enjoyable experience and we hope that you will find that this is so. Some of our students become so much a part of their family that they stay in touch with them for many years.

• Expect British houses to have:
  - usually only one bathroom (therefore no private bathroom facilities)
  - no servants
  - sometimes pets (cats/dogs) living in the house
  - women have careers & work outside the home

If you have a question about your homestay family you may find the answer in the list below. Please contact us if you cannot find it here.

• Do you meet all accommodation requests?

We do our best to meet any other accommodation requests, but we cannot guarantee to meet all requests.

• Will I be in a family with another student with the same mother tongue?

We guarantee that you will not be placed in the same private home stay family as a student with the same mother tongue, unless you specifically request this or the school seeks your agreement in advance.

• What is a typical British family?

A host family will not always be two parents and children. Many hosts are couples who have children who have grown up and left home or they are single people without children.

• How far is my accommodation from the school?

We will arrange private home stay accommodation within reasonable distance of the school (e.g. 15 - 30 minutes walk or a local bus journey).

• Can you describe the sort of bedroom I can expect?

We provide a single room and a place where you can study. Rooms will have: a bed with a good supply of bedding, somewhere to put your clothes and normally a writing desk or table.

• What about meals?

You will have breakfast and dinner on schooldays and all weekend meals with your family. You will be expected to eat the usual family meals, but please tell the family what types of food you like and dislike when you arrive. Do not use the family kitchen or help yourself to food unless you have agreed this with your host family.

• What are the laundry arrangements?

Some hosts will show you how to use the washing machine and tell you when you can use it. Others will ask you to give them your laundry and they will wash your clothes for you. They will not usually iron your clothes.

• How often can you use the shower or bath?

You will have access to bathroom facilities and can take a daily shower or bath but you will normally be expected to share the facilities with family members and any other students. Remember to use your own toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

• Will I be able to do what I want?

Living with a host family is not like living in a hotel. Please remember you are a guest in their home and you will be treated like a member of the family. If you are going to be out overnight, let your host know so they will not worry about you. If you are going to be late or away for a meal, tell the host family in plenty of time.

• Will I have a key?

If you are over 18 you will be given a key to the home. Your host will tell you any arrangements for locking up and setting any alarms. If you are under 16 you are expected to be home by 10.30 p.m. This is the law in Britain.

• Do you ask the students for information about the families?

Yes, we value your comments. You will be asked for feedback. If you are unhappy about something, please discuss it with your host family. If it continues to be a problem, please talk to the Accommodation Officer Ann Bunny.

• What happens if there is an emergency outside school hours?

We provide a 24-hour emergency telephone number in case of real emergency, e.g. accident or serious illness. Your private home stay family is also available to help you.

• Can I use the phone?

Please do not use the family phone to make outgoing calls. You can receive calls from your family but you will be expected to keep the calls short. If you have a phone card you must ask permission before using the family telephone.

• Can I use my personal computer?

Because your private homestay family cannot get a detailed bill quickly from the telephone company they will not want you plugging your computer in at the house. We recommend that you hire a mobile phone to connect your laptop computer to your Internet Service Provider. Please remember that you also have email and other internet facilities at the school.

• Can I bring my own electrical appliances?

You will need to bring an adaptor if you wish to use your own appliances. British sockets have three pins and the voltage is 240 volts.