Staying in Homestay Accommodation

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.

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!  

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.

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.

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.