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Original poster

HOST FAMILIES

8 replies

noddy5 · 16/04/2004 17:21

several friends of ours are having foreign students for 4 week periods over the summer They all seem pretty cool about it and as it brings in 90 pounds per week per student I was considering doing it too.One person in particular is very laid back with her own kids so I suppose she's ideal but I am slightly more cautious.Has anyone ever done it?And if so the pros and cons please Thanks

OP posts:
insanidee · 16/04/2004 20:13

i remember my parents being a host family for french students, we found it as kids, very enjoyable and a great insight into how the french live. dh parents regulary took in japanese students as well, and dh thought it was great too. i cant give you any insight into being a 'host parent' but for us kids it was great. a lot of the students are pretty well behaved, dh remembers one being a bit of a pain but for the most part its fun.

SenoraPostrophe · 16/04/2004 21:10

We used to take in students too.

Our students were older - 15-18 presumably because we didn't have any kids ourselves, but it was great. You get some extra cash and an insight into other countries/cultures too - I think it'd be good for your kids.

I also used to teach in language schools so I got to know of the problems too. Problems with the students were very rare - the worst was a girl who was caught shoplifting and was sent home (this was one girl out of at least 300). We did also have a problem with 1 student who stayed with us: an 18 yr old boy from one of the Arab countries who had evidently been taught that western women were all whores (this is definately not true of all Arab boys though). It was nothing serious anyway, just made me feel uncomfortable.

For the most part, the problems were with host families being too mean with the rations. One poor boy had been given one round of soggy snadwiches containing just very very thinly spread cheese spread.

Original poster
noddy5 · 17/04/2004 08:22

I think I will give it a go then.My ds is an only child and he really wants to do it!Thanks for the advice.I was thinking of having 2 so that they at least have someone who speaks their language in an emergency

OP posts:
jodiemay · 17/04/2004 20:39

Me and my dh are interested also, however where is the best place to look on the internet to sign up for this or at least get more info. Who are the organisations that have been used by other MNetters? How did they fare etc etc?

jodiemay · 23/04/2004 09:31

Just thought that I would let you all know that we have an interview on Saturday with Anglophile Academics, a foreign exhange company. Payment is £11 per night, but going up to £12 in July. Students go to our local college, and need picking up when they arrive and taking there when they are to leave. You have a choice of sex and age, normally between 11 and 17 though. If you don't get on with the student they are removed. Requirements for their room is a proper bed and somewhere to put their clothes. The student is out of the house all day from 9am til 5.30pm, they have activities some evenings too, such as a disco that the host families are invited to too! If anyone wants this gents e-mail address, let me know and I will pass on if you're interested. The guy is the organiser of the company and lives in Peterborough. I am pretty excited, as I speak a bit of French and it will be nice to improve my languages!

ks · 23/04/2004 10:08

This reply has been deleted

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jodiemay · 23/04/2004 21:17

I thought that £11 a night was reasonable seeing as there is no way that them being in your house for a night at a time, and simply requiring breakfast, packed lunch and an evening meal would come anywhere near £11......it's all for the experience and education, not just the money......

mariarosariamele · 26/06/2018 15:52

Hi all.
Can someone help me?
My son is 17 years old, studies at English International School of Padua, and from August 26 will go in London, Chiswick area for an internship that will last 2-3 weeks.
I kindly ask if there is any family able to host and take care of him during this period. We can then establish the cost.
Or another solution is a cultural exchange with your son/daughter interested in coming to Italy, Padua in a period to be agreed.
Those interested please contact me: [email protected]
Thank you so much

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