Why have a HOST visit?

The British Council and Foreign Office founded HOST in 1987. Thousands of students have enjoyed this experience.

5 reasons to have a HOST visit

• It is a unique opportunity to experience the real life of Britain
• It is safe – all the hosts are approved and known personally by HOST
• It is very good value for money, and may cost you only your train fare
• You will learn things which the university cannot teach you
• You will have some very special memories to take home with you

And 3 reasons NOT to apply for a HOST visit

• Please do not use HOST as a cheap form of tourism. It is about meeting people, sharing their lives, and cultural exchange. Your hosts will almost certainly show you their area, but this is not the main purpose of the visit.
• Please do not go on a HOST visit if you need to be constantly connected to your phone or tablet. Instead, make the most of this short opportunity to engage with British people, have good conversations, and make new friends.
• Please do not apply to HOST unless you have an open mind. Prepare to be surprised – and enjoy it!

Who are the hosts?

All our hosts freely welcome students to share their lives during a short visit. There are hosts offering invitations in every  part of England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.

All our hosts are visited and approved by our volunteer regional organisers. We know your host and we know the home where you are going.

Our hosts are very varied - they are highly educated professionals and skilled manual workers; they are busy young families and active retired people; they live alone, and they are couples, and they are mixed generation families; they live in small towns and in the middle of the countryside, and by the sea, and in the suburbs of cities.

We do our best to match you with the right host for you. All our hosts are kind and generous with their hospitality, because they are interested in meeting international students and helping you to feel at home.

What does a HOST visit cost?

Application fee - The application fee helps to pay for HOST’s administrative costs (it is NOT a payment for the visit). Many universities pay all or part of this fee for their students.

If you open the link below, you will find out how much your university requires you to pay towards the application fee.

Application Fees for HOST visits

Visit – there is no fee for the visit itself, thanks to the generosity of the hosts, who give their hospitality free of charge. Your hosts will provide your meals when you are in their home, but you should take some money with you so that you can offer to pay for entrance tickets and your own meal, if your hosts take you out sight-seeing.

Travel – you are responsible for the cost of travel to your host. You can tell HOST your maximum budget for travel when you apply. It is advisable to have travel insurance.

HOST's policy on refunds. If we are unable to find a suitable invitation for you on any of the dates you have given us, we will ask you for more dates. If you are unable to give us more dates, your application fee will be refunded.

But please note that in the following circumstances, no refund will be possible:

if you do not respond to our messages;

if you reduce your availability to fewer than 3 dates and we are unable to find an invitation for your remaining dates;

if you decline an invitation which is for a date you have given us, and which fits your criteria with regard to travel budget, pets, dietary and religious needs, and other needs deemed essential (e.g. wheelchair access);

if you cancel a visit after accepting an invitation;

in circumstances beyond our control - such as extreme weather interrupting transport services - although in this case we will always try to re-arrange your visit.

What students say about host

Ali Al-Agri from Yemen gives international students this advice from his experience:

HOST is your best window to Britain. If you want to learn more about british culture and people in a short period of time, HOST is your best option.

Esther Jawing from Malaysia visited a host family with a friend in May 2014. She wrote:

My Host family is indeed very amazing. They prepared all the british traditional foods during our stay there. We got to enjoy the countryside too and they really make us feel at home. We taught our host family's children our national and ethnic languages which was fun.

Christopher Chukwunta froim Nigeria spent Christmas 2014 in the West Country:

I was warned to be careful about possible racist treatment when I get to the UK, but with the very warm treatment I got from my host, and even strangers on the beach, I am convinced otherwise.

Le Phoung from Vietnam stayed with a host couple near London in February 2015:

Staying with a local host even just for 3 đays i felt like my English was getting better and I am so into the British accent:)

Elizabeth Quan from the USA enjoyed her visit in June 2014:

Host UK allowed me to really connect and get to know the English culture. My family showed me all the touristy places, but more importantly, their favorite areas that are not very well known. It is a great way to spend the weekend and make new friends!