Establishing A Good Relationship Between A Host Family And An International Foreign Student

Life in the UK can take a little adjusting to, especially when you are used to a much different culture and climate. For overseas students, it is essential that their relationship with the host family is strong; for many students, the host family is the first set of friends they will encounter for a while and many may become dependent upon their family to guide them through life until they become more acclimatised. Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship is vital not only for the student's learning journey in the UK, but also for the host family as they accept a new person into their lives. It is a two way commitment and there are many ways in which both student and host family can ensure things run smoothly from day one onwards.

Many students will certainly feel an element of home-sickness when they arrive in the UK, particularly if they have never been away from home before. Often, the British climate and way of life is so different for overseas students and it can take a while to adjust. Firstly, students should allow themselves time to get used to their new surroundings; it is perfectly reasonable to expect to feel a little vulnerable at first. Host families should encourage their student to contact their loved ones at home as soon as they arrive, so that they can hear a familiar voice and gain reassurance immediately. It's also a good idea to set up a regular time where students can contact their family, or be contacted so that they know when and how they can speak to those at home.

It's also important to remember that some students may experience anxiety or loneliness when they first arrive in the UK. Sometimes the small, every day aspects of life can become confusing or alienating and so it may be a good idea for host families to put together a guide to every-day life for their student. This doesn't need to be a large document and can even be a work in progress that is worked on collaboratively. Knowledge of the small things- such as knowing when and how to leave out the rubbish each week, family timetables (such as dentist appointments, regular commitments etc) and family rotas of chores- can help a student to feel like part of the family a lot sooner. It can also be helpful to provide students with information and timetables for public transportation so that they are able to travel independently when they are ready.

Other practicalities which might prove useful in helping students to settle in with their family can depend on the individual. If there are curfews or house rules that families wish their student to adhere to, it is vital that these are discussed straight away so that everyone is clear on what is expected of them. Often different cultures and religions can cause confusion for students and host families and so highlighting any specific issues as they arise is also important.

Once overseas students have settled into British life, it is a good idea to establish and maintain routines to help keep everyday life orderly and harmonious. Sometimes, just having one extra person in the house can make a huge difference and so it is important that everyone knows what they are expected to be doing in relation to household chores or commitments. Likewise, both student and host family will require time to themselves; this is perfectly natural. It could be worth thinking about organising regular times where students and host families engage in separate activities. This is also a good way of encouraging students to develop and maintain new friendships outside of their host family.

Overseas students will also need to be provided with information about personal safety and given explicit instructions about areas which are not considered safe. The British Council has prepared some information regarding this and it could be useful to read through this together so that it can be determined that students are aware of the risks when they are out alone. Some students may wish to practise a certain religion whilst in the UK and host families can also help with this by providing information on local places of worship or local meetings and prayer groups which could be of interest.

Essentially, keeping an open communication between student and host family is vital. If relations become strained, it may be necessary to contact a mediator to help work through any issues. Host families must be aware that living and studying in the UK can be a massive upheaval for many people and there is so much to adapt to each and every day. Likewise, students should be aware that individual family life must be respected and they may need to adapt some ideals in order to get along during their stay. If there is a problem, it is important to discuss it thoroughly and to attempt to work through it as soon as possible. Great friendships can be forged between student and host family, but like any good relationship, commitment and honesty is needed at all times.