Staying in Homestay Accommodation
Staying in homestay accommodation is a great way to practise your English and experience life in a different culture.
You will be treated as part of the household, eating together and sharing common living areas.
Please read the guidelines below so you know what to expect.
How to be the perfect guest
Contact your host before you arrive to say "hello".
Smile and greet people. Try to speak English even if it is just a few words and don't worry if you make a mistake you are there to learn!
Remember to tell your host when you are happy and when you have enjoyed a meal.
Remember to say "Please" and "Thank you" when you ask for something and when you receive it.
Try to eat the food you are given, this is considered good manners in the UK. Tell your host politely early in your stay if there is anything you are unable to eat.
Respect your host's rules about times to be home, bed time, meal times and getting up time. Don't be surprised if these times are different from what you are used to.
Make sure you have something to do (a book to read, a diary, letters or postcards to write) if your host is busy.
Offer help with clearing the table, washing up etc.
Keep your room clean and tidy.
Be considerate in your use of the bathroom.
Say "Thank you" or write a note before you depart.
Arrival
If you are travelling as part of a group, you will be collected by your host when you arrive at the drop-off point. Our team will let the host know if there are any delays.
If you are travelling alone and experience any delays during your journey to Bath, please let your host know as soon as possible or contact us (details below).
Exchanging contact details
You will find the contact details for your host on your My Programme page (menu My Homestay). We advise you to give them your contact details so that you can communicate effectively during your stay. It is a good idea to make sure you have mobile Internet access so that you can use apps such as WhatsApp.
It is a good idea to have your homestay address and telephone number written down in case your mobile is not working.
Shoes inside the house
Ask your host if shoes can be worn in the house.
Please do not wear high-heel shoes on polished floorboards.
Try to avoid wearing shoes on the carpet.
Your Room
All hosts offer a comfortable living environment with adequate heating and lighting. You will have a bedroom with natural light, equipped with a bed and hanging/drawer space for clothes. Some rooms will have a table for study, or your host will let you know where you can study elsewhere in the house. You will have access to a bathroom, with baths or showers available daily.
Ask your host about changing bed sheets, pillow cases and towels. This will be done at least once every two weeks.
We ask you to please:
Keep your room clean and tidy and make your bed each morning.
Do not cook, or keep food in your room.
Do not leave any wet clothing or towels in your room.
Do not stick anything to the walls. If you wish to hang anything, ask your host.
Tell your host if you are too hot or too cold and they will try to make the room more comfortable.
Privacy
When you are sharing a home, it is important to respect each other’s private time and space.
When in your room, toilet and bathroom remember to keep the door closed and if there is a lock please use it.
Knock before you enter a room, especially any private use areas (bedrooms and bathrooms).
Do not take photos inside the house without the host's permission.
Noise
Your host won’t mind you playing music or chatting with your friends via mobile or internet but please try to do this before 10:30pm at night.
If you need to call your family after this time due to time zone differences, please check if this is ok with your host first.
Always try to keep the noise level low so that you don't disturb other people in the house.
If your host is working from home and you return from school early in the afternoon, please be considerate and stay in your bedroom. Make sure you have something to do (a book to read, a diary, letters or postcards to write) if your host is busy.
Meals
Your host will provide a well-balanced diet, catering for breakfast and an evening meal every day.
Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.
Breakfast
In England we normally have a cold breakfast. Please let your host know what you prefer to eat (typically cereal, toast, fruit, juice, tea or coffee).
Lunch
Homestays do not generally provide lunches. On some courses, junior students will be provided with a packed lunches or eat lunch with the homestay at weekends.
Dinner
Please discuss with your host what food you like and don’t like so this can be considered when they make the evening meal. Dinner is normally served early in the evening between 6pm - 8pm. Ask your host what time they usually eat.
Snacks
Your host provides breakfast and evening meals. You may also be provided lunch if your course includes this. If you feel hungry at other times of the day and would like a snack then you can buy these from the shops/supermarkets in the city centre.
Eating out
It is expected that you will eat with your host unless something else has been agreed in advance.
If you decide to eat out, it is polite to let your host know by 3pm so that they don't start preparing food for you.
Using the kitchen
Students are not generally permitted to use the kitchen unless this has been agreed in advance with the host.
Please make sure that you leave it clean and tidy.
Under 18s are not allowed to cook on their own and must ask permission before using the kitchen.
Telephone and Internet
Ask your host how the internet works in their home. The internet is for study purposes. Please be mindful of internet data usage when it comes to gaming and entertainment, and ask the host if they are happy with this.
Most hosts prefer that you do not use their telephone as it is difficult to work out the costs. If you have a special reason for making a call, please ask their permission first and check how much it will cost!
Bathroom
When using the bathroom, please close and lock the door.
Please bathe in the bath or shower cubicle so that water does not splash onto the bathroom floor.
There is usually a bath mat on the floor. Stand on that when you get out of the shower so you do not slip over.
Hang your towel up to dry after you use it. Check with your host where you should hang your wet towel.
Have a toiletry bag with your own shampoo, soap, tissues, etc.
Leave any wet items in the bathroom or hang out to dry – please do not leave them in your room.
If you make a mess, please clean it up.
Please complete all shower activities by 10pm so that you do not disturb the household. If you need to shower later for some reason, please speak to your host.
In the UK, where the climate is moderate, people will normally shower once per day for around 5 minutes. Unless you have been doing sport and need a second shower, one shower per day is normally sufficient. Please respect other people in the house and don't spend too long in the bathroom.
🌍 Please help the environment by saving water and energy - turn off the water while you brush your teeth and restrict your time in the shower to 5 minutes.
Personal Hygiene
Students should maintain good personal hygiene by showering regularly, putting their dirty clothes to be washed and using deodorant each morning before dressing, especially in the summer months.
Toilet
Never squat or stand on the toilet seat.
Never flush anything down the toilet except for toilet paper.
Don’t use too much toilet paper as it may block or cause the toilet to overflow.
Always wash your hands with soap after using the toilet.
Please wipe down any spills on the toilet after you’ve finished.
Women/Girls
No sanitary items, such as tampons and pads, should be flushed down the toilet.
At home, there will be a bin in the toilet or bathroom area or you may need to ask your host where to dispose of sanitary items.
If you are still unsure, wrap the sanitary item in toilet paper and put it in a plastic bag and then put it in the garbage bin outside.
Laundry
Ask your host about washing your clothes.
Some hosts may ask you to put your laundry items in a basket provided and they will wash them for you.
Ask your host if you would like to hang your underwear to dry in a private place.
Cleaning
Cleaning is part of household life and you may be asked to help out.
Help with tidying up after meals, including washing or drying dishes.
Keep your own room clean and tidy and make your bed.
Keep the bathroom clean and tidy – do not leave wet towels and clothes on the floor.
If you make a mess anywhere in the home, please clean it up. If you are unsure what to use, speak to your host and they will help.
Lights, Fans and Heating
Please make sure you turn off all lights when you go to sleep (ask your host for a small wall light, if needed).
Please turn off fans and heating in your bedroom when you are not home.
Make sure your electrical equipment is either dual voltage (110/240) or 240 volts. British plugs have 3 pins so you may need to bring an adaptor plug with you.
Keep your valuables safe
If you have money and valuable items then you should keep these in a safe place. You can ask your host where you can store your valuables, or you can store them in your suitcase if it has a lock.
If you break or damage something in the house
Don’t worry, accidents can happen sometimes.
Please let your host know if something has been broken or damaged and offer to cover the costs.
We advise both students and hosts to have some insurance coverage.
Friends visiting
If you wish to have friends visit you at your homestay, please ask your host for permission before you invite them over. It may not be permitted to have friends visit or sleep overnight.
Your host must be in the house if friends are visiting.
Even if permitted by the host, under-18s must ask the school if they would like friends to stay overnight. The school will ask the parents for their consent.
Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol
If you an adult (18+), please ask you host about smoking, vaping or drinking alcohol and they will tell you what is permitted in their house.
Smoking, vaping and the drinking of alcohol is not permitted for students under the age of 18.
Going Out
If you are under 18, you must advise your host where you are going and when you will be home prior to going out at night.
You must be home by the curfew set by the school and/or host. You must contact your homestay if you are running late and may miss the curfew.
Students under 18 years of age are not permitted to stay away from the homestay overnight without written permission from their parents.
If you go out with friends at night or on weekends you must find your own way home either by public transport or taxi.
Travel with friends especially at night!
You also must have a mobile number so that your hosts can call you and contact you, should this be necessary.
The school reserves the right to overrule parental permission and remove the privilege if we think a student is not responsible enough.
Public Transport
Download the local transport app on your phone and computer to work out the best and quickest route to travel. Your host will also be able to provide some advice and show you where the near bus stop is.
Buying a weekly bus pass is cheaper than buying a daily ticket when using public transport. Buying a ticket using the app may also be cheaper than buying it on the bus.
You must wear/ carry your valid student ID card if you use your child/student bus pass.
House Key
Please ask your host about getting into the house if they are out. Some hosts will provide you with your own house key when you arrive, or advise you where the key can be left for you.
If you lose the key you may be charged for the cost of a replacement key.
The key must be returned to your host before you move out.
If the host is in the house when you are leaving, please let them know you are going out. If the host is out when you leave the house, please ensure that you:
Turn off lights and any electrical equipment that you use like laptops.
Lock the outside door and close any windows.
Health Issues
Tell your host if you are feeling unwell and unable to come to school and ask them to let us know.
In case you need to see the doctor, please contact the school so that we can discuss this with the host and arrange for someone to assist if needed.
Problem-solving
If you are not happy about something with your host or accommodation, please let us know, come and talk to us at Reception. We will do our best to help you resolve the issue.
All arrangements with the host and your accommodation are made by the school and you are not permitted to enter into a private arrangement with your host.
Contacting us
If you have any questions, please contact us during office hours, 09:00 - 17:30. If you need urgent assistance you can also contact us out of hours.
Accommodation Team (office hours): 01225 580 985
Email (office hours): accommodation@languagesunited.co.uk
Emergency number (out of hours): 01225 580 998