The EF Homestay experience www.ef.com/host
International Language Campuses
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Table of contents 03 About EF
10 Your involvement as a host
04 What is it like to host?
12 Your next steps before becoming a host
05 Why you’ll love hosting with EF?
14 Our campuses in the UK and Ireland
06 Our EF hosts 08 The EF student journey
About EF 3
EF Education First is the world leader in education. Offering language and travel experiences, we allow individuals of all ages and backgrounds to explore another culture, learn another language or earn an academic degree. Our mission EF’s mission is to open the world through education. We accomplish this daily through immersive host family programmes that promote cross-cultural exchange, language education and lifelong friendships.
Our programmes EF International Language Campuses offer students and adults the opportunity to study a language abroad, whether this is a short term course of two weeks or a Language Year Abroad course of 6, 9 or 11 months. Our students are aged 12 and older.
“ I’ve
been hosting for about thirty years! It’s no different to having your own kids at home. One of my favourite students was from Mexico, she came to stay for three months and we still FaceTime. ” Barbara Smith, Oxford
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What is it like to host? 4
Our students travel with us to improve their English and to learn about your culture and way of life. There are many wonderful things that come out of hosting a student. Cultural exchange Inviting a student into your own home allows for a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange. Learn all about a different culture, experience new languages and introduce them to the many great aspects of your own culture. Showcase your hometown Get ready to fall in love with your surroundings all over again. You’ll be able to experience the excitement of discovering your city first hand, as your student navigates their new home. You can show them all the must-visit places and perhaps even hear about a few new ones as they familiarise themselves!
Experience of a lifetime No matter what point you are at in your life, hosting is extremely rewarding. Whether a family of five, “empty nesters”, a retired individual or a single adult– hosting international students provides the experience of a lifetime. It’s an opportunity to make lifelong friendships, and for both grown-ups and kids to experience a new culture. Build a global network Hosting is more enriching than just sharing your house with a student. The constant interchange will enable you to build a lasting connection. You’ll emerge from the experience with an international network of friends located all across the globe.
Why you’ll love hosting with EF 5
EF aims to break down the barriers of language, culture and geography. We are committed to providing a supportive, friendly and nurturing environment where students from diverse cultural backgrounds are able to learn English in the most effective way. Students year-round We work hard to ensure that you don’t have long gaps between hosting students. You’ll get the opportunity to host a steady stream of students of various nationalities and ages–yearround.
My EF My EF for Hosts is your personal hosting webpage only offered by EF, helping you to manage and enjoy your hosting experience with us. The website provides very useful information and is accessible to you at any time, online.
24-hour support Thanks to our local EF Homestay team, you’ll get support around the clock. We don’t work with agents, so our team comes directly to you and will know how to help you with any issues that may arise.
50 years of experience As the world leader in international education, we have over 50 years of experience organizing host programmes. We carefully match students to hosts based on both parties’ individually stated preferences.
Host community benefits and special events By partnering with us, you’ll gain access to a local community of EF hosts in your hometown. You’ll get the chance to attend community events where you can meet and share your experiences with fellow hosts. You’ll also receive an EF Community Card that gives you special discounts and deals at shops, cafés and restaurants.
Prompt weekly payments Payments are made promptly on a weekly basis and payment information is available on My EF, so you’re always fully up to date.
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Our EF hosts 6
Throughout our many years organising Homestays, countless delighted families have shared their experiences with us. Many of them continue to host students with EF–some for years on end. We couldn’t be more proud of the families we’ve partnered with.
“ When I open the door I say welcome to my home and I give them a hug. I say to the students you can talk to me about any problems. I’m a mum away from home.” Christine Gordon, London
“ I’ve met some really nice people, made some new friends, it makes great company for me. I try my best to look after the students as you would when you have a family.” Rita Newman, Brighton
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“ I’d say just do it! I began because of my own financial situation but now I love it! So many students keep in contact with me and they still send me messages.” Shereen Smith, Brighton
“ At weekends we normally sit together and eat and talk after dinner, that’s when we get to know them better. It’s an open house.” Susanne and Peter Burrows, Brighton
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The EF student journey 9
Our students come from a wide variety of different countries and backgrounds. Your student will likely have a full schedule of classes and activities, but it will still allow for time to spend getting to know one another. During the week Your student will follow a typical schedule, wherein they’ll usually attend classes Monday to Friday. The number of hours per day depends on the type of course they have booked. Evening and weekends We offer students a full range of extracurricular experiences from group activities like Irish dancing and karaoke night to trips to Stonehenge and the London Eye. Students will often spend time with their friends in the evening and during the weekend, visiting local spots and exploring the city.
What to expect -- Students will typically arrive on a Sunday -- A student’s course could last anywhere from 2 weeks to 6, 9, 11 months -- Our students come from many different countries around the world -- There are students of many ages that study with EF, ranging from 12 to 25 and up -- EF offers students a full package, including transportation, courses, accommodation, travel coverage and activities
Sample student timetable 09:00 - 12:00
Lessons
12:00 - 13:00
Lunch (the students remain at school)
13:00 - 17:00
Lessons
18:00 - 20:00
Students come home to have dinner with the host*
20:00 - 22:00
Evening with hosts or school activity
*Some of this will be travelling time depending on the distance of your home to the school or activity location
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Your involvement as a host 10 We want you to have a great experience with your student and become a super successful host. In order to do this, it’s important that you take on the following responsibilities: -- Give your student a warm and friendly welcome. Perhaps help them get settled with a cup of tea and a biscuit! -- Make sure you speak English–that’s why your student is visiting the UK or Ireland -- Provide a clean and comfortable room and house. This will put your student at ease -- Provide breakfast and evening meals Monday-Friday and all meals on weekends
Light Breakfast
Cereal or muesli, toast & juice, tea, coffee or hot chocolate
-- Our objective is to bring people together and remove cultural barriers–a process you can facilitate by encouraging communication with students. We’d be delighted if you’re able to build a good relationship with your student -- The most important thing is to look after the safety and welfare of your student at all times -- Homestay hosts can take up to four students at one time. Students must have their own single or twin room in the house–no more than two students can be placed in one room If you host with EF–and we hope you will!–we also have a Homestay Code of Practice. We’ll provide more information about this when you get in touch with us.
Packed Lunch
A drink & two filled sandwiches or a hot/cold meal (only on weekends)
Hot Evening Meal Cooked dinner & dessert
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Your next steps before becoming a host 12
1. Book a visit Call or email your local Homestay team (find our contact details at the end of this booklet). Alternatively, fill in our online form at www.ef.com/host Once you’ve booked a visit, we will send you a full onboarding/welcome pack, containing application documents and further information.
3. Get approved to start hosting! When the correct paperwork is filed, you can start hosting. We’ll do our very best to match students based on your requirements and start allocating students as soon as possible.
2. We’ll come over and say hello One of our friendly staff will visit you at home at a time that’s convenient for you. We’d like to get to know you, explain everything about hosting and do a brief paperwork check.
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Our campuses in the UK and Ireland 14 When they’re not spending time with you or their new friends, students will be at their EF Campus – that’s why we try to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Our schools feature spacious classrooms and the latest in educational technology. We also pick amazing locations right in the heart of the city, so students have a great base from which to explore! We pride ourselves on the vibrant in-school atmosphere. The EF staff and teachers are highly trained and passionate about languages, travel and culture, and this translates to our students. We have an Activities team that organizes exciting events every day of the week too, so there’s always something fun going on. Hosts are always welcome to visit the school and meet us.
Our schools - London - Oxford - Cambridge - Eastbourne - Bournemouth - Brighton - Manchester - Bristol - Dublin
Our London school is located on Roupell Street in the heart of the famous Waterloo area
EF Manchester
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EF Brighton EF Oxford
Our brand new Dublin campus in the Donnybrook area
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We can’t wait to hear from you! Get in touch with us today.
EF International Language Campuses Bournemouth 11 Poole Road Bournemouth, BH2 5QR 01202767555 accommodation. bournemouth@ef.com
Cambridge 221 Hills Road Cambridge, CB2 8RN 01223 240 020 accommodation. cambridge@ef.com
Oxford Pullens Lane - Headington Oxford, OX3 ODT 01865 759 660 accommodation.oxford@ ef.com
Brighton 1/2 Sussex Square Brighton, BN2 1FJ 01273 443300 accommodation.brighton@ ef.com
Eastbourne Roborough House - 1 Upper Avenue Eastbourne, BN21 3XA 01323 819 050 accommodation. eastbourne@ef.com
Manchester 26 Wilbraham Road Manchester, M14 6JX 0161 225 8919 accommodation. manchester@ef.com
Bristol Custom House Queen Square Bristol, BS1 4JQ 0117 930 3500 accommodation.bristol@ ef.com
London 74 Roupell St London, SE1 8SS 020 7401 8399 accommodation.london@ ef.com
www.facebook.com/EFUKhomestay/ www.youtube.com/EF www.ef.com/host
Dublin 72-76 Morehampton Road, Dublin, DO4 KD54 01 611 4220 accommodation.dublin@ ef.com