Will I get on with my homestay accommodation hosts? It’s a question that most international students will naturally ask themselves when they apply to a hosting scheme. There are a number of schemes available in the UK with an increasing number of homeowners seeking to earn income from a spare room turned into student accommodation.
So how can you tell if the place that is intended to be your ‘home from home’ will be your dream ticket or a nightmare in hell street?
A major, established organisation, such as Hosts International will be officially registered with the British Council and aims to ensure they meet the rigorous standards.
This means all host providers and the accommodation they offer are not only thoroughly audited when they apply to join the scheme but are regularly checked by a team of accommodation officers, no matter where they are based around the UK. There must be a duty of care in place, which is focused on safeguarding the welfare of the students while staying in their home, especially a younger student who may be living away from their parents home for the first time.
But exactly what type of people become host providers?
And how different are they from regular landlords? The answer is as various as there are different homeowners! The key difference is that family hosts tend not to be businesses but have decided they want to join the hosting scheme and offer a room to international students because they can also learn more about people and culture from different parts of the world.
Hosts come from all walks of life, such as couples with or without children, single parents or retired couples.Sometimes, nurses and carers will want to extend their scope of caring activities, or even teachers and lecturers, which may be extra useful to students eager to do well on their course! The key qualities to expect from a host is that they should be open and friendly, and offer support and advice when needed. You are after all, expected to be treated as part of the family during your stay.
What can you expect your room to be like?
Another key difference between a hosting scheme and taking a chance with a commercial landlord / lettings agency should be the standard of the room. Regular checks are made by scheme providers to ensure that host families keep the room clean and comfortable with plenty of natural and electric lighting, heating and ventilation. Of course, the very first thing most people check for is that crucial internet / wifi connection!
Proper storage for clothes and use of a good table or desk for the all-important studying is also a must. Homestay providers should also clean bed linen and towels every week and the other key essential is to provide regular access to the bathroom and/or shower.
However, you should be aware that a homestay host will expect a number of things from you!
What a homestay provider expects from you
Homestay accommodation managers aim to ensure the right host and student are matched up according to each other’s stated preferences and needs. Top of the home provider’s expectations is that a student has good manners and a clear understanding that they must respect the host’s home and follow any house rules. These are sure to include always letting your host know when you are going to be late home or staying overnight with friends and always asking permission before inviting visitors into their home.
It’s also seen as appropriate and polite behaviour to say “good morning” or “thank you” and to remember that your hosts are trying to ensure that you have a pleasant, worry-free stay as well as to guide and support you whilst you are part of their family home.
So, to answer the question posed right at the start of this post… your host scheme and home providers work very hard to ensure you are placed in the right accommodation. If you’re not used to keeping your room tidy, then it will be an excellent time to learn to do that too!