Guide for Host Families: University of Winchester Language (L2) Students

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1 Guide for Host Families: University of Winchester Language (L2) Students It is no secret that homestay provision contributes to the development of an international student s language and cultural learning, just as much as their course lessons. It is for this reason that ELTSU prefers to offer the homestay opportunity to its students. Becoming a homestay family for one of our international students is a mutually beneficial experience for both you and the student. You will gain a unique insight into the student s culture and understand what it means when cultures come together. This can be a rewarding experience in itself. English Language Teaching and Support Unit (ELTSU) You should be prepared to share your home with someone who will be looking forward to being involved with your family s everyday activities and British culture. You will receive a fee for hosting one of our students, but while this will cover all associated costs, the main benefit is a sociocultural experience for both you and the student. Thank you for hosting our international student.

2 Contents: Who are ELTSU? An ideal homestay family is What does the homestay fee cover? Developing a positive relationship with the student Providing homestay experiences for the University Other important information Who are ELTSU? We are the English Language Teaching and Support Unit at the University of Winchester welcoming each year a myriad of international students to our English language programmes, in addition to supporting international degree students with their studies. We understand that students choose where to study based on location, quality of education, employment prospects, affordability, lifestyle, personal security and education accessibility. We offer attractive opportunities coving all of these things and homestay provision is an essential part of this. To achieve this we work closely with third party homestay organisers who have provided you with this Guide. Read more about ELTSU: An ideal homestay family is: Motivated by a desire to proactively interact in a friendly way with international learners and provide support through taking an interest in the student s daily life. It is often a once in a lifetime experience for the student and offering a welcoming experience is essential for making a memorable one for both you and the student. Through interaction you should also encourage the international student to be respectful of your home routines. What does the homestay fee cover? A private heated bedroom space and access to washing facilities. A student sharing with another student is by arrangement with the homestay organiser, but the University will not allow opposite genders to occupy the same bedroom and prefers sharing only between different nationalities to a maximum of two international students in the homestay. Students will need access to a space with a table and chair for brief study work. This may be in the bedroom or other suitable area in the home. 1

3 Full board It is usual for the mid-day meal to be a packed lunch on class days and excursion days. General household consumables (excluding personal hygiene items) i.e. laundry and cleaning products. Students will need reasonable access to laundry facilities within the homestay. It is a good idea to explain the safe use of the facilities to the student before they use them. A fee is paid for hosting students (which includes monies for food, general supplies and household energy consumption). Students stays have the further benefit for your family of socio-cultural experience especially valuable if have younger members of the family. We ask you to collect your student on arrival. This will not normally be later than 10pm (except for unexpected flight and border delays). Collection on weekdays will be after 5pm. Any planned arrivals after 10pm will arrive at your home via taxi. On departure day you will drop off the student at the departure point. The student should not be asked to pay extra costs for anything outside of the homestay fee. The only exceptions are (by agreement with the student) for entrance costs and public transport (not private car). The agreement with the student should be prior to the event day so that the student can decide if they wish to go or not. Most homestays don t charge the student and prefer to treat them as part of the family. We do not expect you to offer students transport other than on arrival and departure. If you offer the occasional lift that would be much appreciated but is at your discretion. Developing a positive relationship with the student Sometimes it can be helpful to slow your speech down a little (not too much) so the student can understand what is being said. This will help your relationship with the student. It can also be rewarding to learn from the student some of their language you may find a handful of words helpful. Remember, you are essentially dealing with a different culture, which can be both difficult (to start with) and a worthwhile experience. Discovering other cultures through hosting an international student is a rewarding experience that the whole family will benefit from. Lifelong friendships are often formed. Dietary adjustment can be a source of difficulty for some international students and open communication on likes and dislikes are essential so that homestays can better cater for their guest. However, students are expected to eat a western diet while with the homestay and no special adjustment is required other than for allergies and upset stomach conditions (religious 2

4 reasons are by prior arrangement). Food can often be a good source of cultural experience, as some students also like to cook for their host family. Assisting the student to plan effective transport arrangements, as international students often worry about this aspect in the first few days of their stay. Show them the bus stops they will be using, how to use the bus for the first time and which bus route is likely to be most important to them. The University will provide the student with a local bus pass to enable them to get around. Be alert for culture shock in the student. This is often difficult to detect if you have not known the student previously, but if you have any concerns please raise this with the University. You should also respect the privacy of the student when it is appropriate. This is when they are in their bedrooms. This sense of a private space for the student will give them an opportunity to feel comfortable in your home and promote a better relationship. The University will ensure that you receive the student s timetable so that you are better able to plan in relation to your activities and the students. You should communicate your reasonable expectations / routines to the student with regard to house access. Students should communicate with you their expected whereabouts and approximate reasonable time of return. Providing homestay experiences for the University You are expected to communicate with the homestay organiser on any matter of concern as promptly as possible. On issues relating to immediate health and/or safety you are expected to communicate the matter immediately with the homestay organiser and the University. You will report (to the homestay organiser) any student behavioural problems. This could be the student not communicating/agreeing their house return times with you to anything else you consider unreasonable in their behaviour. This of course is extremely rare and can be down to cultural differences more than anything else, but the quicker you respond to such issues the easier and quicker it will be to manage the situation. Both the homestay organiser and the University will do everything they can to make your experience a positive one, as well as for the student. 3

5 Other important information You should check with your home insurance company to ensure paying guest are covered by your policy or if it needs adjusting for a short period. The University sometimes (rarely) receives a student of the age 17. If you host a 17 year old you should be prepared to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (previously CRB) at our expense. You should ensure that your home is a safe place for guests to stay. The student will be provided with a Winchester bus pass that covers their journey from the nearest bus stop to your home to the University. In most cases the bus pass can be used on all the Stagecoach bus routes within and around Winchester. Students will require access to a main door key (unless under 18). Under 18s will be expected to be back in your home by 10pm. Student homestay duration: Typically four weeks, but may be between two and six weeks. If your student is unwell, you may need to contact your family doctor. NHS treatment must be paid for by students studying for less than 6 months who are not nationals of an EU country or a country which has a reciprocal health agreement with Britain. With regard to all health issues the University must be informed at the earliest opportunity, but within 48hrs. The University retains the overriding right to relocate the student to alternative accommodation, with the help of the homestay organiser. This is exceptionally rare. Hosting one of our international students in your home is a rewarding opportunity for the whole family. Thank you for hosting one of our students ELTSU University of Winchester Telephone: (ELTSU) mandy.malhotra@winchester.ac.uk Web: 4