BECOME A HOST
Hosting overseas students requires commitment. The host family has to have a caring nature and possess a friendly and caring attitude. International students are not looking for just a room to sleep in. They are looking to interact with a local family where they can improve their language skills and also be immersed in the local culture.
If you have a spare room or a room has become available due to a family member moving out temporary, then this is an opportunity to make your spare room generate cash weekly. Majority of our groups come for 3-4 nights. Others groups can be for longer periods. Most groups come on weekdays (Monday to Friday). Some groups stay during the weekends. We give the host families the flexibility to pick and choose the groups that they want to accept.
MHZ Homestay’s mission is to look out for the welfare of the students and guests. MHZ Homestay is not looking for host families who want to make a ‘quick buck’. We require our host families to deliver the following:
- Welcome and treat the students as part of their family
- Create a lasting friendship
- Ensure the students go back home with a positive experience of their visit
A host family will offer the students a ‘full board’ or ‘half board’ service.
Full Board Service includes the following:
- Pick and drop from meeting point
- Continental breakfast – A choice of cereals + toast with a selection of marmalades & Jam + fruit juice, tea & coffee.
- Packed lunch – 2 rolls or 2 set of sandwiches – with substantial fillings ( no paste or spreads )+ an item of fruit + crisps + chocolate bar + a drink (preferable a bottle of water).
- Evening Meal – Hot meal + dessert to be shared if possible with host family.
Half Board Service includes the following:
- All of the above in full board but without the packed lunch.
Our students are mainly from Europe. They can be aged between 12 to 20 years. Some will have a little command of English and others will have to be encouraged. Host families are permitted to host between 2 to 4 students from any group. Host families must never host same nationality students from other Homestay agencies. In certain circumstances, providing the host families has adequate facilities they can host more than 4 students after obtaining permission from teachers/team leaders.
Students are not permitted to be left alone. They must always be under the supervision of the host family or teachers/team leader. Where necessary a host family may use a taxi or mini-cab for drop off and pickup of the students. In these instances it will be the responsibility of the host family to advise the local organizer beforehand of the vehicle registration number; name of the taxi company and the name of the driver. MHZ Homestay will not be responsible for any costs that may arise for the taxi if the students are delayed at the meeting point.
The host family will have to drop the students to the meeting point at 07:45 for each morning of the stay. The students along with their group will be scheduled to leave the meeting point at 08:00. The groups will have prearranged visits and activities. It is therefore important that host families are on time. The students along with their groups will be out of the host families’ house for the whole day. The groups will come back to the meeting point in the evening around 19:00. The students will be collected and taken home by the host families.
Scheduled times should be respected by teachers/group leaders and host families. MHZ Homestay will be in contact with teachers and group leaders and will advise host families by text of arrival times and any updates about the group.
After accepting the group, the host family will be advised in advance before the group arrives of any allergies, dietary or special requirements that their guests have. Host families can accept between 2 to 4 students from MHZ Homestay. The host family will offer their guests a single, double or triple room. All beds must be fitted with mattress protectors. Our Agents do not permit us to allow our host families to accept students from other hosting companies who provide students whose native language is the same as the students provided by MHZ Homestay. If this occurs we reserve our right to move the students to another host family. This will result in us paying a pro rata payment to the host family.
Any damage to host family property or contents by the students must be reported to MHZ Homestay before the students depart to their country of origin. MHZ Homestay will assist the host family in their claim through the student’s country of origin. All our students take out comprehensive insurance cover. All our host families are requested to contact their own insurance company advising them that they will be hosting students in their home.
NO INSURANCE CLAIMS CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR BEDS WITHOUT MATTRESS PROTECTORS OR “ZBEDS” OR FOLD UP BEDS.
PAYMENTS TO HOST FAMILY
After the group arrives, payments are made online directly to the host family’s account after the 2nd night stay. For example:
- 4 night group arriving on a Monday, payment will be made on Wednesday.
- 4 night group arriving on a Saturday, payment will be made on Monday.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It is the responsibility of the host family to declare any income to the appropriate authority. The current limit can be found on www.direct.gov.uk website. Please also refer to the rent-a room scheme. MHZ Homestay and the local organizer are here to assist the host family, the teachers/group leaders and the students should any problems occur. Sometimes it may become necessary to move the students to another host family. In these cases payments will be made on a pro-rata basis to the host family.