Hosting international students as part of a homestay unlocks a number of benefits for hosts from all walks of life. Whether you intend to play an active role in their experiences or simply offer a comfortable place to stay during their time in your country, being a homestay host can have an enriching effect on your own family’s daily lives.
Becoming a host family provides a vital opportunity for you to share experiences, learn about new cultures and develop lifelong friendships with people from all over the globe. And this is before we mention the money making potential of running a homestay business.
When hosting international students, there are a number of things you must consider. Read on, to discover the ultimate guide and start your homestay business on the right foot.
Things to consider before hosting
There are a variety of factors that must be considered before you start the ball rolling on advertising your homestay and attracting guests. Who you market your home to and accept as a homestay guest makes a big difference. As a family hosting international students, you can open your home to children, teenagers, older adults, young adults or even fellow families. You also have complete control over how long your homestays can last.
Your home and your family need to be prepared, too. Your guest accommodation should be in great condition, well-equipped, clean, and comfortable. In addition to this, you have to be prepared for some of the challenges that hosting international students presents, such as dealing with homesickness, unlocking language learning opportunities for individuals who are learning English and catering to the dietary requirements of foreign guests.
The pros and cons of hosting international students
As well as having the opportunity to share your culture, you and your family will gain new perspectives as you get to know people from all over the world.
Being a homestay host or family gives you the chance to invest in a young person’s future, offering a cultural and learning experience that they won’t forget in a hurry. You’ll be making your own lifelong memories and as seasoned host family member Lucy Richards explains, you could even extend your family:
“My parents thought that being a host family would be a good experience for me growing up and it has been: nearly 30 years on I'm still in touch with my Spanish family; we've shared fiestas, weddings and holidays. Now we have children of our own, we are enjoying a second generation growing up together. Do it: it's a wonderful experience.”
Being a homestay host to international students isn’t all fun and games though. If you are planning to host students for the long term, be prepared for some hard work. You need to be there to help ease culture shock, get your guests through some rough patches and even discipline them if they fail to stick to your house rules.
Homestay host requirements
As a homestay host, you’re not only be responsible for providing a roof over someone’s head. The household you welcome your international students into should be safe, caring, and supportive, providing opportunities for young people who are eager to learn. Your home should be a special space for your guests to stay and study.
The safety of our hosts and guests is extremely important to us. All Lingoo members, including those hosting international students, are therefore subject to stringent verification checks. For homestay teachers and hosts, these checks are completed before your profile goes live and before you make contact with your very first guests.
How much does a host family get paid?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the many plus points to becoming a host family is the money making potential it offers. As a Lingoo host family or teacher you set your own rates. Rates can vary from location to location. Homestay families in London for example earn between £200 and £300 per week (with all meals included) from their guests. Your property type can also influence your rate. Homestay teachers earn slightly more, with a minimum of £400 per week standard across many cases.
How to sign up as a homestay host
Like the sound of all the benefits of hosting international students? Then you’re in the right place! Sign up to Lingoo for free and create a detailed profile to promote your homestay. Don’t forget to include photographs of your family and your home to make your business as appealing as possible for those looking for a home away from home.
