Become a Kitt McArthur Host Family

“Firstly I want to say a heartfelt thanks for all you do as a host family for our students – we are immensely grateful for your help and support. Together, I believe we truly offer a superb level of care to students who are a very long way from home and can be immensely vulnerable as a result. By offering them a warm welcome and a “home from home” outside of school, they can rest, relax and cope with the rigours of a very busy life at boarding school and overcome the huge culture shock many of our students feel when they do not have their families here to rely on. I am always in awe of the students (and their families) for their commitment, sense of adventure and indeed bravery in choosing to study so far away from home. I am also moved by the kindness of families like you, who open your homes and your hearts to our students and do so much to enhance their time in the UK.” 

Elaine

A host family can be a family with children, a retired couple or a single person – there are no rules about what makes a family, the only important thing is that you are willing to dedicate some time to providing a warm welcome to an international student during the school holidays. Usually this is exeats and half terms, although some of our students stay for the longer holidays including Christmas and Easter. 

Hosting is most rewarding when you consistently host your student and really get to know them – and they in turn look forward to coming back to see you. Many host families develop an enduring bond with our students and their families and are in touch with their students long after they leave school and go to university, such is the strength of the bond that is formed.

Our students are mostly between the ages of 10 and 18 and come from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Spain, Germany and many other countries. They are full-time boarders at schools in Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and our host families look after them during the half term and exeat weekends, and sometimes in the longer holidays.

Being a host family can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for the family as well. It gives you the chance to make a meaningful difference in the life of a student who is studying in the UK, often a long way from home, while learning about different cultures and developing friendships that are enriching for everyone concerned.

We work with families who offer support to our students for just exeats and half terms and we ask you to make a commitment to host our student for those holidays as a minimum each term. We make sure you know the dates well in advance, and this provides continuity for our students, who look forward to their holidays with you.

Host families need a spare room as each student requires their own bedroom, including a desk so they can study quietly and access to the internet. You can host up to three students at a time, if you have the room, but each must have their own room.

Kitt McArthur will cover all of your out of pocket expenses, including mileage, and we pay one of the highest daily rates to host families for hosting. We also pay promptly so you are not left waiting for reimbursement.

Help and support at all times
We have considerable experience in placing our students and work hard to make sure you are a good match for each other. If you need help and support, we are available at any time.

Each of the students we look after is unique, with their own individual character and personality, culture and experience. As an important carer in their lives, you are the person who will get to know them best, spending time with them outside of school, talking through their experiences, worries or concerns.

If you would like to expand your child protection knowledge, we will provide you with access to an appropriate training course with the NSPCC.

If, at any time, you are worried about your student, please contact Elaine as soon as possible. Elaine is the DSL for Kitt McArthur and will liaise with you and school to sort out any problem and provide support.