University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Many British people like to host foreign students not just because this will bring in extra income but because they really enjoy having someone from a different country living in their house and sharing part of their daily life.  A ‘host family’ does not always consist of two parents with children.  For example a widow, or a couple whose children are away at school or grown up, often make excellent hosts.  Students should try to fit in with the everyday life of the household.  There may be minor difficulties and misunderstandings – on either side – but with goodwill and humour these can usually be cleared up quickly.

Your Room

You will be given a key to the house, but it is unlikely that you will have a key to your room as it is not usual to lock bedroom doors in a private home. You should have a comfortable bed, adequate storage for your clothes and a table or desk (in some homes the desk for studying may be elsewhere in the house). You will be expected to keep your room tidy so that your host can clean it properly. If you break anything you should let your Host know as soon as possible and offer to pay for this. Please ask before using any of your own electrical equipment; the voltage almost everywhere in the UK is 240 volts.

Heating and Lighting

All homes have heating in the bedrooms, but your room may be cooler than you are used to (it is usual to turn the heating down very low at night). Let your Host know if you are cold and they will give you additional blankets for your bed and maybe increase the heating to your room.

Warning: do not leave gas or electric heaters switched on throughout the night or when you are out. This can be a fire hazard. Do not place anything on or near gas fires or electric heaters. Remember to switch off electric lights when you leave the room as electricity is expensive.

Meals

Meals will normally be eaten with other members of the household according to their custom. Tell your host if you cannot eat any particular food for dietary, religious or other reasons. You will be expected to be punctual at mealtimes, so tell someone if you are likely to be late, or if you will be out for a meal.

You should be given a varied and healthy diet by your Host. The food will probably not be as you are used to, but it should still be nutritious and tasty. Typically British people eat more potatoes than you may be used to eating. The breakfast will generally be cereal and toast. Tell your Host if you do not like something, but take the opportunity to experiment and try as many new and different foods as you can.

You will not usually be able to use your Host’s kitchen to cook your own food, although you may like to offer to cook your Host some traditional food from your country.

Your Host is not responsible for providing you with lunch during the week. You will be able to buy an inexpensive lunch in one of the cafés on campus. At the weekends you can ask your Host to provide you with a packed lunch if you are going on a trip, or you will be able to stay and eat lunch with them. If you live close to UCP Marjon you should not expect to go home and use the kitchen facilities in your house to make lunch for yourself unless you have permission from your Host.

Domestic Arrangements

You will be expected to make your own bed and it would be considerate to offer to help with small jobs such as clearing the table after a meal. However your Host will not think of you as a cleaner or a free baby sitter! You should not use the kitchen yourself, or help yourself to food and drink, without permission first.

Most homestay families have only one bathroom, so arrange the most convenient times to take a bath or shower. If you do not understand how the equipment in the bathroom and toilet works your Host will explain it to you. You must flush toilet paper down the toilet, but everything else should be placed in the rubbish bin. Avoid splashing water on the bathroom floor, and always remember to leave the bath, shower, wash-basin and toilet clean after use.

Sheets and towels are provided, although you should use a towel of your own if you are going swimming. You are expected to look after your own clothes and shoes. Your Host will provide access to laundry facilities or they will wash your clothes when they do their own washing. Ask your Host where they would like you to leave your dirty clothes and what you should do with wet things. Your host will not do your ironing, but you will be able to borrow the ironing board and the iron.

Visiting

You must always ask if you want to invite friends to your house. Ask where you should entertain them and the time they should arrive and leave. Do try to see that your friends do not disturb the rest of the household, especially late at night.

Absences

You must say if you are going to be away overnight or coming home later than normal. If you are unexpectedly absent your Host may worry and contact UCP Marjon or the police.

Other Students

During your stay at UCP Marjon you will meet students from all over the world who are here on different programmes. Some of our hosts have two bedrooms and so you may well be sharing your Host with a student from another country. We hope you find this an enriching experience and an opportunity to learn about another culture.

Adapted from: ARELS Publication “Your Stay in Britain ”