HOSTs FAQ

Some questions HOST is often asked

Will my guest speak English?
Students must have sufficient command of English to be accepted on an academic course here. Some come from English-speaking countries and many of those who don't are remarkably fluent. However, some may have had little practice at social conversation - HOST visits can be very beneficial for them.

I live alone, so is it appropriate for me to be a host?
Families, couples and people living alone are all welcome to join HOST. Students value the opportunity to meet a person who will be able to concentrate on them and have time to talk. Some hosts who live alone find it easier to take two students at a time. In order to avoid possible misunderstandings, due to cultural expectations, HOST will place with single hosts only student couples, or students of the same sex as the host.

Does it matter that I don't live near a university or college?
Not at all. Although some students prefer to stay close to their place of study, others hope to explore further afield.

It's very quiet where I live, won't they want some night-life?
Most academic institutions are in cities with all the commercial entertainment students could want. A HOST visit offers something different, a chance to join in home and community life.

Will they eat what we do?
Students tell us in advance if there is anything which they cannot eat. Otherwise, sampling our food is part of the fun. Guests often ask to learn our recipes, and it is not unusual for them to offer to prepare a dish from their country for their hosts. It is worth remembering that many young people have hearty appetites!

That's a point, what about the cost?
From the host’s perspective, HOST is essentially a voluntary scheme. We do have a hospitality fund from which we can make a contribution towards expenses if requested. (But we set a ceiling on that contribution.) The students do not pay for the visit. They may be asked by their university to pay all or part of the application fee, which is partially subsidised and they do pay their own travel costs. We suggest to them that they offer to pay their own entrance fees to museums, etc. and towards any refreshments you may have while sightseeing. It is up to you to accept any such offer.

Does HOST know the students, or does anyone check up on them?
Every student application is endorsed by a member of staff in the student's institution. Although HOST cannot offer cast-iron guarantees, if we were to learn of any misconduct we would immediately take the matter up with the university.

Could I invite more than one student at a time?
Certainly. Depending on your accommodation you could entertain a married couple, or two friends who wish to come together. Alternatively, we can, if they are agreeable, match two or more students who will meet for the first time in your home.

And where in the UK might they be studying or living?
HOST works with academic institutions from one end of the UK to the other so your student could come from anywhere. It depends in large part on how much money they have for fares, how much time they have free to travel and what their particular interests are, such as a desire to see a working farm or the home of the Beatles. We try to convince them to be sensible about long-distance travel and not to combine tourism with the HOST experience.

What does a HOST visit involve?
Most visits take place at weekends. A full weekend would typically be Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, or for 3 or 4 days at Christmas. A day visit could be for 4-6 hours depending on how long it takes the student to travel to your home. (Remember a day visit is with a student who is studying fairly close to where you live.)

When possible, hosts meet their guests at the nearest rail or bus station, and return them there at the end of the visit.

Hosts treat their guests as 'friends of the family', so most visits combine participation in normal everyday life with one or two outings. Chatting and sharing meals with their hosts, meeting family and friends, taking part in local community activity, all feature high in students' comments about what they most enjoy.

Each visit is a one-off event and afterwards hosts have no on-going commitment to their guests. However, it is not unusual for hosts to stay in touch while the students are still in the UK, and sometimes long after they have returned home.

What about insurance cover?
HOST has standard comprehensive insurance cover which includes our volunteers- hosts and regional organisers- for public liability. However our insurers assume that a host’s personal household and motoring insurance policies cover guests. In the event of any claim our insurers would negotiate with the host’s insurance company to share meeting the claim according to the circumstances of the incident. If the host does not have appropriate cover they would presumably have to meet their share personally.

This assumption of a split between “us and you” is not unique to HOST. The reason is that HOST does not monitor or take responsibility for the day-to-day conditions around your house or car which might contribute to an accident. That is the host’s responsibility. If in doubt double check your policy documents or call your insurance company or broker.

What do I need to do to join HOST?
Contact HOST by telephone or e-mail (please give us your full mailing address as well as phone number). HOST will then forward your details to the regional organiser for your area who will send you an information pack, and discuss the scheme with you. If HOST is for you, we will be pleased to receive your completed application, register you as a host on our database, and send you a Welcome pack, which explains the procedure by which a visit is arranged, and gives a few hints to help with your first guest.

Then, we will call you when we have a suitable student (or students) and ask if you would like to offer an invitation for a particular weekend. If you agree, we will send you details about your guest, and we will inform the student of your invitation. After that, we leave you to make contact with each other, but we are always glad to help with further advice.

Registering with HOST means only that you are expressing a willingness to welcome an occasional guest, perhaps once or twice a year, perhaps more frequently. We would like you to enjoy the visit as much as the student, and will not put any pressure on you to take guests when it is not convenient.