Taking Foreign Students

shomk

Does anyone take foreign students? I was wondering if you actually make any money from it?

We have a spare room which we used to let on a permant basis but were pleased to get the house back to ourselves....however, needless to say we miss the money and so we wondered about the financials regarding foreign students. We could accommodate two students in a twin room.

Thanks

DeeDeeinDooDoo

Hi

I am just about to embark upon taking in foreign language students. Two at a time starting at the end of this month. Italians and then Austrians.

I have given up my nice room with castle view which the lady inspecting said was very nice (almost too nice) she also said I could fit three in it! Two's enough.

I bought a good second hand single bed for £70 (in addition to one I had) and will need to get some new towels and perhaps some other bits and bobs. I asked for boys because I have a son but did wonder if I should have gone for girls as they may eat less. I think big european lads will eat like adult men. I will get £210 per week and I estimate a hopeful £30 to add to the food bill and a bit more on the electric for showers. So I hope to have £170 per week in my pocket or £680 for the month.

It doesnt sound like a lot but they will be out all day and most evenings. I pick them up from a nearby car park and take them to the college on the bus to show them where it is. My son will be able to join them on evening activities so I think we are gaining because we already have a child that we have to feed and look out for so two more shouldn't make too much difference.

I'll update and give a breakdown in a month and let you know if it works for us.

super41

I hosted foreign students a few years ago and found it was a good source of extra income. Mostly they were Japanese girls. They were light eaters and respectful of the house etc. They were keen to be part of the family and enjoyed helping prepare food etc. I felt it was a real opportunity for both us and them to have a new experience. I would suggest thinking carefully before you have students about your house rules and make these clear when they arrive. Eg. what time meals are, what foods like like/don't like, will they have their own key, suggested time for use of the bathroom (to prevent everyone wanting a shower at the same time in the morning!), arrangements for cleaning the room, laundry etc. etc. Most language schools/universities have guidelines to help you. One word of warning, I did here some horror stories about families who didn't get on with their students, thefts, damage etc. Just think about how you would deal with this sort of thing. I should think its rare.
Its potentially a good source of extra income and you can earn quite a bit tax free. I did hear about people who maximised their income by feeding the students cheap food etc. I think this is just mean. I used to think how I would feel if someone was hosting one of my children and how I would like them to be treated. I tried to do the same.

Anyway good luck with it. Hosting your first can be a bit apprehensive but it gets easier as you know what you're doing.

Mary_Pea

We would love to host foreign students at home, could anyone tell me where I would go to find out about this please.

Thank you

Mary

ALWAYS_POOR

I did it for many years in the 80s and 90s. You should trawl your local papers for adverts. Some students come from Monday to Friday and others stay for weeks or months at a time. Keep looking and you are sure to find something. Or Google for some companies who arrange language trips for foreign students.

I don't know where you live but they usually come to the bigger towns and cities.

Students are normally out all day and you have to provide breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal. Sometimes they have evening and weekend activities but not always. They can be all ages. I have also hosted adults who come to UK from abroad for university, some of these are quite mature adults - personally I preferred school age.

It is possible to make quite a bit of money and I found the more I accommodated at one time the more money I made.

Mary_Pea

We live in London, and I've just found a couple of agencies that we can register with, not sure if we have to pay, I hope not. I'm sure there are many sharks out there.
I'll keep trawling the local papers and google also.
We thought about crashpadder.com, but didn't fancy it to be honest, you never know who's coming. I would like to think foreign students are a far better idea.

Thank you again.

Mary

ALWAYS_POOR

I just googled 'foreign exchange students host family' and got lots of sites to look at.

Mary_Pea

I've googled exactly the same words!

DeeDeeinDooDoo

I have just completed my first week of hosting and prompted by Poshnosh here is a quick report.

I have been very lucky I think in that they were beautifully behaved 18 year old italian boys whom I expected to want to go out clubbing but no, very studious, very considerate came in by about 11pm.

I am in Edinburgh and I think the going rate used to be £115 per week per person but now down to 105, I went through an agency so they must be taking their cut.

I am in Edinburgh so lots of colleges and demand for hosts. Hence students can find themselves on the outskirts in high rise flats with some dubious families!
I already have a son so am used to running around a little but I felt I was probably trying too hard this week and also over spent on my budget and there was some wasted food. So I will look at that today and see where I can cut back a bit. They did not go hungry and were encouraged to eat as much as possible. Things like freshly squeezed orange juice dissappeared fast by the 2 litres so eventually I bought a nice additive free syrup/squash which is diluted.
Also long showers in my 10kw shower!! Sometimes twice a day so need to look at that. I think if you can clear £70 per week, per person it can be a good supplement but you would need to like being with the young people. I really enjoyed the two boys this week so we will see what the next lot are like.

Newsflash: Two new boys arrived yesterday. Quick turnover! Mega electrical gadgets plugged in and long showers. I suppose I would caution my own son for staying in shower too long but feel too polite to say anything to them. I was up at 7am (Sunday) to prepare their breakfast but they refused my bacon sandwiches and don't like cereal so will try continental breakfast tomorrow. Not enjoying these two as much as last. Not sure if I will do this again...

Thriftyknickers

I've hosted foreign students for the last 3 years and have largely enjoyed the experience. Mine come through a company called OISE. http://www.oise.com/ I heard they were recruiting new host families on the local radio.

JPR

Having placed overseas students in host families for nearly thirty years there will be as many stories - for and against - as there are students and families. Agencies will often say they hand pick families and/or students but basically it is just pot luck.
Experience has shown that it pretty much works out OK but there is almost no protection for both parties should the proverbial hit the fan.

If I were a host family I would ask the agency if what insurance cover they have for their students - third party liability. Then ask your own insurance company what cover you have if damage is done by a paying guest. Only then should you say Yes or No to accommodating them.

There are good agencies out there but I would warn against 2 agencies (I wont name them publicly but both are Swedish owned and both have a very high disregard for what in effect are very cheap sources of bed and board)