a) Host students every week of the season
b) Host students occasionally
c) Host students in an emergency (family drops out last minute)
If you would like to become a host family we just ask that you commit to dates in advance to help us plan the schedule (we provide a list of dates for the student trips at the beginning of the season).
If you are interested in becoming a host family but would prefer adults rather than students we also need host families for the teachers, tour guide and driver that accompany the students so this could be an opportunity for you too.
We ask you to provide accommodation for 2, 3 or 4 students for usually 3 or 4 nights, depending on the length of their trip. You need to be able to drop them at the collection/drop off point in West Bridgford between 7.30 – 8 am each day, and collect in the evening at 6.30 / 7pm (varies slightly according to their programme).
*We also provide longer-term accommodation to older students who can use public transport without your supervision or need for daily collection and drop-off – Contact us for more information
Asda, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford NG2 7JA
Ideally you will live in West Bridgford or the surrounding areas within a 15-20 minute drive of Asda to ensure timely collection/drop off of students.
Host families are required to provide a bed for each student – either a single bed, bunk beds or double but no mattresses on the floor. We usually place 2 to 3 students together with one family but 4 is occasionally allowed at certain times of the year. They need to be able to use the bathroom but you can specify morning or evening showers to suit your family’s needs.
As a host family you provide overnight accommodation and meals for 2, 3 or 4 students or teachers for 3 or 4 nights, earning you from £114 to £304 depending upon specific requirements.
Payment will be made directly into your bank account at the beginning of the trip when the students arrive.
The ‘Rent a room scheme’ allows owner occupiers and tenants to receive tax-free rental income upto £7,500 per annum (2021/2022 rate) Visit GOV.UK to read the full details and benefits.
• Evening meal
• Breakfast
• Packed lunch
Overseas children are no different to English children, there will be likes and dislikes so its better to keep it simple and give them something that they will like rather than something fancy that they may not like.
You will be advised of any known special dietary requirements in advance but have a chat with the students on their first evening to confirm any particular likes and dislikes.
Give them variety during the week but don’t over complicate mealtimes. You will need to provide a meal each evening, except where there is a ‘late night’ when they will eat out.
Here are some of the popular dishes that other hosts have recommended :
Pizza
Lasagne
Spaghetti bolognaise
Roast dinner (many students love trying traditional dishes)
Sausage, mash and beans
Pasta bake
Chicken and chips
They usually like either mineral water or apple juice as a drink.
Dessert can be ice cream and sauce, yoghurt, fruit, chocolate cake and custard (they generally love ‘creme anglais’!
Please put the items in a bag to keep everything together so students don’t forget anything. You will sometimes be asked to provide two packed lunches for the day they leave, but this will be offset by a ‘late night’ evening when you will not be expected to provide them with an evening meal. If there is no late night, you will receive an additional payment for the extra packed lunch.
– 2 rolls or two sandwiches (4 slices of bread) with a proper filling like ham and cheese – no jam sandwiches or dairylea cheese type of spreads.
-A bottle of mineral water (no refilled bottles)
-A chocolate bar or a cake – a Penguin type biscuit, muffin or bar of chocolate
-A packet of crisps – ready salted are a safe option but a variety over the week is fine
-A piece of fruit – usually a choice between a banana or apple is sufficient
They usually like orange juice, water and/or hot chocolate
A choice of cereals
Toast and jams (they usually love Nutella). They usually eat white bread rather than brown.
No cooked breakfasts are required although some overseas students are interested in trying an English breakfast and hosts can decide whether to offer this or consider using it as an evening meal.
The students are not usually very fussy.
Special dietary requirements for the students are usually notified in advance to help you cater. There are sometimes vegetarians or those that specify no pork.
Students are covered by insurance for the duration of their trip. In the event of any accidental damage caused by a student we ask that you report it to us as soon as possible.
In the unlikely event that a student is sick whilst in your care you should contact the lead teacher whose telephone number you will be provided with. It is the school teachers responsibility to look after them so you will never have to look after them during the day. The students will always go with the coach, even if they are sick.
The students are expected to abide by your house rules but we would expect that;
• They do not eat food in their rooms
• They keep the rooms tidy
• They do not smoke (or for older ones, not in the house)
• They are not allowed out at night alone
“I’ve found all the boys I’ve hosted to be a pleasure. They’ve been lovely, polite and sometimes funny boys. Great to have in my home. I know the dog thought so too with all the extra attention. The organisational skills of both Carl and Joanna are brilliant!!
This I know from hosting for many years is vital for the trips to run smoothly for everyone involved” – Steph
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“Hosting international students is a way for me to travel across Europe without leaving West Bridgford. Getting to know the students has been a truly fulfilling experience. It’s also a lot of fun and thoroughly heartwarming to know that you are taking great care of them and acting as an ambassador in introducing them to British life” – Sarah
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“We’ve had a lovely time hosting children (12 up to 19) and teachers. We have 2 children ourselves 11 and 12 and they’ve found it a very positive experience with asking various questions to the guests, it’s been lovely to see how there is a very nice integration in our household even though they are only with us for 4/5 days. The students have always been very polite and tidy and tried very hard to speak English with us even the younger ones. As a family, we love to travel and for us hosting foreign students is a little bit like having a holiday in our own house It has well and truly been a great and wonderful experience” – Marleen & Stephen
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“We have loved having our students, they have all been wonderful children and teachers. They have mixed so well with my two children (13 and 12 years even helping with their homework!). They have been a great addition to our family. We look forward to welcoming our next students, getting to know them, their cultures and making new friendships” – Karen & Phil
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“We have really enjoyed hosting the French students this year, as a family, we have enjoyed chatting to the children and finding about the different regions that they come from and their interests. I think it is a great skill for my children to be able to chat and get to know new children. We have found the company very organised and a pleasure to work with” – Becky
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“It has been an absolute pleasure hosting the Students. They have all been very respectful towards us and our home and have chatted freely using their English. There is a sense of fun and friendship among the students, hosts, and organisers. We are really looking forward to hosting with Nottingham Host Families again soon. Thanks again Jo and Carl for your great organisation” – Mary & Graham
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“We have absolutely loved sharing our home with the groups of children who came over from France earlier this year. We have really enjoyed getting to know the boys, and listening to them talk about their lives, and the cultural differences between France and England. Without exception, all the groups of boys were extremely polite and well mannered, and I would have no hesitation in hosting more groups in the future” – Nigel & Sally
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“I have hosted students from various countries in Europe and the USA for over 30 years, first in London where I lived for 25 years, and latterly in Nottingham. I have found Nottingham Host Families to be an excellent company for which to act as a host. Joanna and Carl are extremely well organised and the whole process is well thought out and well run. It is one of the best companies I have worked for as a host. The host family is always kept informed of coach arrival/departure times which is particularly helpful, and the company uses a dedicated WhatsApp group to keep everyone in touch. The company pays great attention to the welfare of both the visiting students and the host families thereby ensuring a successful visit” – Margaret
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“I can honestly say it’s been a pleasure hosting students for you. The students themselves have been very polite, easy to accommodate and have felt part of the family throughout their stay. The clear concise communication with yourselves has been second to none and the regular updates through WhatsApp has meant that things have run smoothly. It’s been the best experience to date, having hosted for three years” – Naomi
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“Much appreciate both ur excellent organising- top marks!!” – Jayne
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“Hosting for European students has been an incredible experience for myself and my young daughter, to provide a caring and welcoming home for the students has been a pleasure and all the students that have stayed with my family have been very polite and courteous. Nottingham Host families have done an exceptional job with the organisation of the student experience and as a family host, I too have benefitted from the insight into new languages and cultures that the students bring into our homes. Overall a wonderful experience” – Hanya
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“We have lived the experience of hosting the French visitors this year. It was really great to meet new people, share different cultures and support young people on their quest to travel abroad and broaden their horizons. Jo and Carl are extremely organised making the whole thing a pleasurable experience and one that we would love to repeat!” – Cath and Ben
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“We started hosting this year and enjoyed having students stay with us. We found them to be extremely courteous, well behaved and polite. They were always interested to learn about the various attractions and experiences Nottingham offers as a tourist destination and the similarities and differences between their home town and culture and ours. To anyone considering hosting it’s not a lot of work, extremely well organised and is a refreshingly different way to learn more about another culture and language” – Liz
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“Thanks again guys, it’s a pleasure to work with you, the gratitude you guys always express is really nice” – P 👍
Errors & omissions excepted (E&OE)