Before the visit:

Contact your host to accept the invitation and discuss travel. Tell your host at least ONE WEEK before the visit what time you will arrive. (If you do not do this, your host will not be sure that you are coming.)

It is polite to take a (small, inexpensive) present to thank your host – a souvenir from your home country, flowers or chocolates, are examples of suitable gifts

Cancellation

Please do NOT cancel your visit unless it is impossible for you to go

If you must cancel, inform your host immediately

(Your host is looking forward to meeting you and will be making preparations for your visit. Students cancelling at the last minute are a major cause of hosts deciding not to offer HOST any more invitations.)

Inform HOST, too, so we can give the invitation to another student

 

Extra guests

DO NOT ask your host if a friend can come with you. (You and your friend, who must also be an international student, can always apply together next time.)

While you are on the visit:

• Relax! Enjoy your visit as a new and interesting experience
• Talk to your hosts, ask questions
• Be willing to do things you have never done before!
• Switch off your mobile phone! (Hosts have said: ‘Our guests answer their phones during meals and other activities, and we hear them in their rooms having long conversations in their own language – are they talking about us? Why do they come on HOST visits if they really want to spend hours talking to their friends?’)
• If you are visiting with a friend, speak English in front of your host
• Offer to help (Your offer may not be accepted, but your thoughtfulness will be appreciated.)
• Show your appreciation (Sorry to mention this, but a lot of hosts tell us that they have no idea whether their guests are enjoying the activities, or the meals, they provide. This is very discouraging for the hosts, and unnecessary, because after the visit, most students tell us they had a great time.)      

  

After the visit

Contact your host very soon to thank them for welcoming you to their home

 

Thank you for being A Perfect Guest!

 

 There is a lot more advice and information about what to expect on a HOST visit on the FAQ on the Student pages.

 

IF YOU ARE GOING ON A HOST VISIT AT CHRISTMAS

 

  If we have been able to arrange an invitation for you to spend Christmas in a British home. Christmas is an important time in this country, when families and friends often come together to celebrate.

 

Some hosts like to invite an international student to join their family for Christmas. There are other hosts who are able to invite students because they do not have their family coming to them this year, so they take the opportunity to make Christmas special for you instead.

 

When you are planning your travel to the host, please discuss with them the days and times they would like you to arrive and depart, before you buy your tickets. It will be better to buy tickets early, as this may save you money. If you are travelling by train, it is a good idea to reserve your seats in advance at this time of year.

 

As Christmas comes in the middle of winter, people spend most of the time keeping warm indoors. You should not expect to do very much sightseeing during your visit. On the other hand, your host might offer to take you out once or twice, so make sure you take warm and waterproof clothes with you.

 

Most people exchange presents at Christmas. You may want to find out in advance from your host who you are going to meet there, so you can take the right number of small inexpensive items to give. Alternatively, it will be very acceptable if you take one present, perhaps traditional food from your country, for everyone to share. Please do not worry about presents – your hosts are not expecting them – but they will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and you will probably feel more comfortable if you have something to give. Do not hand over your gift as soon as you arrive. Your hosts will almost certainly have a traditional moment for the giving and receiving of presents at Christmas.

 

People tend to eat quite a lot more than usual at Christmas, and some of the dishes will probably be traditional. If you are not sure about anything, just ask what it is. Ask for a small portion first, so you can try it. If you like it, accept more as soon as it is offered. In this country, it is not polite to offer food many times to guests who have already said ‘no thank you’.

 

For many people, Christmas is a festival with religious significance. It is possible – although not certain – that your hosts will be going to church at least once during your visit. You do not have to accompany them, but you may find it an interesting and happy experience to do so, and it will give you the chance to learn more about the religious background to British culture. It is a good idea to ask your hosts to explain to you beforehand what will happen during the church service, so you have some idea what to expect.

 

HOST hopes that you will have a wonderful Christmas visit, and we look forward to hearing about it and receiving any good photos you take. Please e-mail Mavy.Andres@hostuk.orgwith your feedback.