| Feature Item |
| HOST: Could you welcome a student into your home? Tue 20 Jul 2004 |
| For the hosts, sharing their own knowledge and way of life with international students is enjoyable and worthwhile; for the guests, a stay with a family is often the most memorable event of their time in Britain. |
Every year, many thousands of international students come from all over the world to study at universities and colleges in the UK. As well as gaining academic qualifications, they hope to improve their understanding of the culture and life of this country. One of the best ways of doing that is to spend time with the people of Britain in their homes and local communities.
HOST is a national charity, founded by the British Council in 1987, which introduces international students to volunteer host families, who welcome them for a short visit - for a day, a weekend or perhaps a little longer at festival times. There are hosts all over Britain, but fewer than 2000 of them, so that it is not always possible to help all the students who would love to benefit from this unique experience of cultural exchange.
HOST needs to hear from hospitable people who could offer just one or two invitations a year to different adult guests. They also want their register of hosts to reflect all the diversity the population of this country offers. And they would like to be able to help the students who ask to meet a host of a particular religious faith or ethnic background. HOST's volunteer regional organisers make every effort to match the interests of students and hosts.
For the hosts, sharing their own knowledge and way of life with international students is enjoyable and worthwhile; for the guests, a stay with a family is often the most memorable event of their time in Britain. The HOST scheme has a special contribution to make to international understanding and goodwill.
If you would like to know more, please visit www.hostuk.org or call HOST on 020 7254 3039 for an information pack.
Margaret Stevens
Publicity Officer, HOST |
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