Prospects Postgrad UK 2007/2008 - (Page 33) SPONSORED BY www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK ADVICE AND INFORMATION 33 MEET YOUR PUBLIC WHY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE QUEUING UP TO SPEND TIME WITH BRITISH FAMILIES. Coming to study in the UK provides you with an opportunity to learn in one of the best environments in the world. It also allows you to meet people from all walks of life. But if you want to get a real taste of British culture, why not spend the weekend with a British family - it could make your experience here so much more enjoyable. For the past 20 years, HOST UK has been matching international students with British residents to give students a real insight into life in Britain. A HOME FROM HOME ‘The students stay as a guest in a British home for a weekend or a day, or over a festive period. Our hosts are all volunteers and host because they enjoy meeting people from other countries and backgrounds,’ says HOST UK Chief Executive, Caro Hart. ‘Students are invited into their host’s home and, for a day or two, become part of the family, which allows them to experience British culture first-hand, away from an academic setting. The experience works both ways, as hosts gain an understanding of other, often far-flung, parts of the world.’ The charity has received more than 3,000 applications alone this year, from students from more than 100 countries with about one third of applications coming from students from China, Taiwan and India. In fact, it has received more applications than there are hosts currently available. ‘Interest in HOST has increased rapidly in recent years,’ says Marketing and Communications Manager Michael Blasebalk. ‘The scheme is almost too successful for its own good and we are now trying to recruit more hosts to keep up with the demand, which can only be a good thing.’ Xiangping Du (Suzie) is doing a PhD in Social Linguistics and Translation in Higher Education at the University of Hertfordshire. She found out about HOST through the University. ‘The organisation has very good links with many universities. I found out about the scheme at the Fresher Fair,’ says Suzie. ‘I met members of HOST there and they explained the scheme to me. It sounded good, so I signed up.’ Suzie was placed with a family in Rushden, a little town near St Albans, Hertfordshire, for a weekend before Christmas. A PART OF THE FAMILY which was a really good experience. I had never experienced a British Christmas before and got to try lots of new food. They also took us to some Christmas markets.’ Caro says that almost all of their students have a good time on their visit. ‘The feedback we receive from the students tells us that they have great fun on the visits. We don’t ask our hosts to do touristy things with the students, although many do, but they usually put on a nice meal and some entertainment; simple stuff like country walks or a visit to a village fete. ‘It’s the little students comment on; the chance to discuss everything from teenage marriage to the price of souvenirs, to practice their English and to feel like part of a family.’ Suzie says her host family has invited her to stay whenever she can, which makes her feel a part of the family. ‘I have a part-time job at weekends, so I don’t get much of chance to see them much in term time but I will definitely go and see them when I can. They are like relatives to me. I have had such a good experience.’ FINDING OUT ABOUT HOST ‘I was really impressed with my visit. Rushden is a very pretty village and my family were so kind to me; they treated me like a member of their own family.’ Suzie says that she was made to feel very welcome during her visit and got on so well with her host family that she was invited back to stay the following Christmas. ‘The family invited me and a friend back to visit them last Christmas. They took us to their friend’s house for a party, Students who apply to take part in HOST are matched up with a host based on common interests, such as sport, theatre or history, for example. Students are asked questions about what they like and dislike and whether or not they have any special requirements for vegetarian food or space to undertake religious observances. That information is then used to match them to the best host. Students will usually then spend a day or weekend with their host. If the institution agrees, students can do more than one visit. Some students, like Suzie, who make good friends with their hosts, organise their own visits. Most Universities will pay the contribution to HOST’s costs, but some ask the student to pay some of or the entire amount (this is currently £35 plus VAT). The student has to pay their own travel costs. For Suzie, a HOST visit was one of the most enjoyable things she has done so far and highly recommends it to other students. ‘It is a really good way to see parts of the UK that you may not do on your own. It is also great to experience life in Britain. What impressed me most was the fact that I was made to feel a part of the family.’ From the number of applications the scheme gets, it is clear to see that the chance to experience British life firsthand and make new friends is a very popular choice for international students. FURTHER INFORMATION www.host.org.uk http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK http://www.host.org.uk
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