::: Host UK :::

- HOST is a charity (not-for-profit organisation) that gives you the opportunity to spend a day, a weekend or a few days at Christmas, or another festival in the home of a British resident.

Q: Who can apply for a HOST visit?

- To apply for HOST you should be either a:

full time international student aged 18+, studying in Britain for at least 3 months.
British Council managed scholar
exchange student
Engaged in research, from any country of the world.
A volunteer at a subscribing organization (ICYE), or a Language Assistant

Your husband/wife and children can be included if they are living in Britain with you.

Q: How much does the application cost?

-There is a charge for each application which may be paid by your university or college if they belong to HOST. You pay for your own travel costs (See Q: How much would my travel cost?). A few of our subscribing institutions make a charge to the student. Click here for details.

If you are asked to pay directly to your University or College, you should make the payment at the International Student Office (or similar).

If your instittution asks you to pay some or all of the cost or if you attend an institution which does not subscribe to the HOST scheme and you find it difficult to afford, you can apply to the Friends of HOST for a free visit. Please complete this form and e-mail it back to us.

. If you are asked to make payment directly to HOST you can pay:

Through the "Donations and Shop" section of our website.
You can send a cheque payable to "HOST UK" or get postal orders (from the Post Office) and send to HOST at the free-post address below (you do not need to add a stamp) quoting your application number.

HOST (Hosting for Overseas Students)
FREEPOST LON14114
LONDON
N1 4BR

If your university or college does not belong you can still apply, but you have to pay £42.00. Please make payment as outlined above. If you are sending a cheque or postal order, please enclose your full name and contact details and the number of your application.

Please note that in all cases we will not start procesing your application until after we recieve payment.

Q. How much would my travel cost?

- It depends where you are coming from and where you are going. We suggest that you check your probable travel cost here. Please note that the minimum amount for those who want to visit hosts locally would be £20. This amount can vary but we require that you have at least this amount of money at hand for your travel.

- Your campus travel shop or various travel web sites can help you find approximate costs to any region. Coach travel is cheaper than train, but takes longer. Advance booking for the train may be cheaper. Student coach or rail cards can help you save money. Visit our links page for more information about travel prices and times.

- You can apply to the Friends of HOST fund for help with travel costs if you cannot afford all of the cost yourself. Please fill in this form and e-mail it back to us. Please note that funds are currently very limited for these awards.

Q: Does my Institution belong to HOST?

- Click here for details if you are not sure if your institution belongs to HOST

Q. Who are my hosts? How do I know when I will get on with my host?

- Our hosts are carefully selected British volunteers who are very friendly and have the passion to learn more about other cultures and to let other cultures experience their own. They come from all walks of life that have one thing in common: to meet you.

- The success of your visit depends partly on you and your attitude to it. HOST does its best to find the most suitable invitation for you. You can help us by telling us on your application form something about yourself and your interest in having a HOST visit.

Q. Are the Host volunteers checked?

- HOST's voluntary Regional Organisers visit as many of the hosts as possible, so the vast majority are known personally. We also take careful note of the comments students make in the feedback questionnaire completed after a visit.

Q. Why do people become hosts?

- People offer to join HOST for many reasons.

Some want to meet people from countries they already know.
Others find the students give them an insight into places they are never likely to visit.
Many hosts are proud of their region and traditions, and enjoy introducing them to their guests.
Some want to introduce their children to people of other backgrounds.
Others have no children at home, but enjoy the company of young people.
Some want to forge links with particular parts of the world.
Others are looking for a little language practice with a native speaker.

- All enjoy making strangers welcome, and helping them to feel at home here.

Q: When will I have the visit?

- We will ask you to give us a choice of dates for your visit. Most visits take place at weekends, either for one day or from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Occasionally visits can be arranged midweek. You may like to have a visit on a day or a weekend close to the date of a British festival or one in your culture. You can also apply for a visit at Christmas.

Q: How long is the visit?

- Most weekend visits begin on Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. At Christmas or New Year you may stay for 3-4 nights. Day visits could be for 4-6 hours depending on your travel arrangements.

Q: I can't plan a long way ahead - can I have a visit at short notice?

- No, HOST really needs 4 weeks notice to arrange a visit for you. Please also allow an additional week for your form to be authorised and checked by your institution.

Q: When will I hear about my visit?

- HOST will send you an email or letter confirming that your application has been registered. It will be at least 2 weeks before you receive your invitation. Please keep your chosen dates free, and let HOST know immediately if your plans change.

Q: Am I expected to stay in touch with my host?

- Please telephone, write, or e-mail a card (eCards) soon after your visit to thank your host, otherwise they will be disappointed. If you wish to send a small gift you can send flowers (look at www.charityflowers.co.uk). After that you can stay in contact if you want to. If you would like another visit to a different location, please apply again. Finally, remember to send HOST your completed feedback questionnaire.

Q: Who will arrange my visit?

- Your application will go to one of HOST's volunteer regional organisers. This person may contact you by email, and will post you an invitation as soon as a visit is arranged.

Q: Do I have to accept the invitation?

- Regional organisers take a lot of trouble to find the right invitation for you, and your host will already be looking forward to meeting you. Please remember that hosts are volunteers and have made arrangements to give you a pleasant visit. If you can not go or do not wish to stay with this host, you must tell the regional organiser immediately. We have a lot of students wanting to go for a host visit and it would be really nice if you cancel in advance so we can send another student to your host.

Q: What will I know about my host before I go there?

- When you receive your invitation some information about your host will be included. You will be in contact with your host before your visit, to arrange practical details about your travel. This will enable you and the host to start getting to know each other.

Q: Can a friend go with me?

- If you want to go with a friend, he or she must be an international student /volunteer over the age of 18 at a subscribing institution and apply on their own application form at the same time as you. Never ask your host if you can bring a friend and do not arrive at their home with a friend they do not know about.

Q: How will I get to the host's home from the rail or bus station?

- Your host will probably meet you at the station, so it is essential to let them know the time you plan to arrive. Many hosts live quite far from their nearest station, so they will meet you by car. A small number of hosts do not meet their guests, but tell them exactly how to reach their home from the station. We strongly advise you to have their contact number with you at all times as to avoid unnecessary worry when your arrival will be delayed.

Q: What should I take with me?

- Clothes suitable for the British weather - warm and waterproof! It is a good idea to ask your host's advice. A small gift to say thank you - a souvenir from your country is very acceptable, but chocolates, flowers, or some traditional food from your country are also fine. At Christmas, it may be a good idea to take something, which all the people in the household can share.

Q: What will my host's home be like?

- Hosts live in many different kinds of homes. Your accommodation will be comfortable, and you will have your own bedroom unless you have previously agreed to share. You may be sharing the family bathroom. In most, but not all homes, there is a shower – some British people still prefer to have only a bath. If you are visiting in the winter, you may find that the house is not quite as warm as your university accommodation. British homes are heated in many different ways, and many are very warm, but it is also normal for people to put on an extra layer of clothing (such as a warm jumper or sweater) even indoors, when the weather is cold. Nearly everybody has a TV in their home, but some people consider it polite not to have the TV on when they have a guest, and most people would expect a guest to ask before switching on the TV.

- Many people consider it impolite for a guest to spend much time on the Internet or their mobile (cell phone). Hosts are happy to help you contact your family, especially during a festival, but it can be seen as rude to spend time talking with your other friends when you have the opportunity to make new ones.

Q: What will I do while I am there?

- Every visit is different, but you can expect to do some of the things in this list; chatting with your hosts; joining in with daily life activities; sight-seeing, walking in the countryside; meeting friends and relatives of your hosts; attending community events.

Q: Who pays if we go to a museum, historical site or theatre or have refreshments when out?

- The host usually pays for the tickets, but it is important that you offer to pay back the host the cost of your own ticket(s) before or just after they have bought them. Most hosts will not accept your offer, but will value the fact that you offered. Others will accept sometimes. In the UK it is considered good manners to “buy a round” so if you have a drink somewhere (when visiting a site or walking around a historic town), you could offer to pay the bill. Your host may not accept but will appreciate that you offered.

Q: What about the food?

- You will have meals with your hosts, and this may give you the chance to taste home-cooked traditional dishes. If you are not sure about something, ask what it is and take only a small amount at first. If any time you feel hungry, ask for a snack. Many British people eat their last meal of the day very early.

Q: What about religious differences?

- Not everyone in the UK is a Christian or regularly goes to church, temple or mosque. If your hosts invite you to accompany them to a service, remember that you are not obliged to go, but it may be interesting to do so, especially if it is church at Christmas. If you wish to practice your religion in any way that may affect the activities planned for you, explain this to your host as soon as you can.