Host families
Guardians International provides you with a host family who have been thoroughly checked and matched to suit your needs. These host families are your “home from home” and are dedicated people who want to see you enjoy your time with them. Many become lifelong friends and some will follow your progress as you mature and go into further education and on into your career.
It is really important that you take the opportunity to enjoy your time with your host family and that this is a very significant part of the experiences you will take on with you from your school life in the UK – don’t waste this opportunity by staying in your bedroom on your phone or tablet!!!
What one of our families says about hosting with Guardians International:
We met Guardians International last spring and were introduced to the work they do to support visiting students to our country, we were pleased to be chosen, by them as a suitable host family. We live very close to Mount Kelly College and have two spare rooms to accommodate 2 students. Later in 2015 we met our two students from the School for the half term break and we now host them on a regular basis.
Initially we were unsure as to whether we would meet their needs and they would be comfortable with us in our home, but this soon passed as were learnt to understand their likes and dislikes and how we would all get along.
I must say, they are delightful boys and very polite and well mannered. We sit together at mealtimes and discuss the plans for the day just like any family would, we struggle some times with language and customs, but it all becomes fun as we learn about out different ways.
Although the students work very hard with their studies when they are with us, we also try to have trips out together, fishing, shopping and visiting historical places.
We started as strangers, became friends and now its our family for those short breaks throughout the year.
Louise (Tavistock)
Your host family is not a hotel or someone purely being paid for a service and should not be treated as such – they truly care for your welfare and wellbeing. Remember this is your opportunity to live amongst a real British family and gives you experiences you will keep for the rest of your life. It is up to you to make the most of it and all host families not only want you to enjoy your time with them but also want you to enjoy you being part of their family!
There is guidance and some simple rules regarding host families in the Student Handbook and we urge you to read it before you go for your first visit. http://gis-uk.com/for-students/student-handbook/
