In 2012, over 31 million visitors *descended upon England’s capital city. From the vibrant theatres in the West End to world heritage sites spread across the city, London is full of attractions which offer something for everyone. While most come to London as tourists, some stay a little longer to become to truly immersed in British life.
For those wishing to get more out of their time in London, homestay offers visitors a truly unique opportunity to experience life in the capital city as a local. Whether you want to improve your English or just learn about the capital city, living with a family will enable you to capture a first-hand perspective of life in England.
Given the vast array of benefits that homestay offers, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, to help you get the most out your time away from home we have put together these top tips;
1. Be Open minded
Perhaps the greatest challenge to overcome when visiting a new country is getting used to the local norms. Although you may already be familiar with some of England’s culinary and cultural quarks, London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and as a result you are likely to encounter things you are probably not used to.
Take for instance the food; while traditional dishes such as Fish & Chips and the classic England breakfast remain firm favourites, British cuisine includes some strange combinations. Even though you might not like everything, it is important to be open minded and try as much as possible. You never know: perhaps you will discover your new favourite dish!
2. Get Involved
Through spending time with your hosts, you will learn a lot about the family and how they go about their day to day lives. By fully embracing your homestay experience and becoming part of the family, you will be much more likely to build lasting relationships with your hosts that quickly turn into lifelong friendships.
During your stay in London you will have plenty of opportunity to see how the local people live. However, in order to take full advantage of your homestay experience, it is important to get involved with as much as possible. Whether you help your host with the house work or the cooking, being actively involved with your host family will make a big difference.
3. Don’t be shy
Moving to a new place is always a daunting prospect. However, through living with a local family, you will be able to get settled in straight away. Given that all our hosts have been selected specially, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will have access to all the help and support you require throughout your time away from your home country.
With so much on offer, London is undeniably one of the most unique places to live. To start enjoying your homestay in the capital of the UK, why not register your interest now?