Alexandra Page
September 25th, 2009
Alexandra & her husband & son offer homestay accommodation for foreign students within easy reach of central London. So, there is plenty to see locally and if you like fish or running this may be the perfect host family for you…
Alexandras Profile & Contact details
The Pages
You like to host foreign students in your home, what do you look forward to most when you host students?
Well mostly just having the opportunity to show someone how we live and having a different influence in our home.
Tell Xilfee about your day jobs?
I am self employed and run a small London based cleaning agency. My husband works for a Swiss bank.
You have a little boy, what does he like to do?
He likes to run rings around his parents!! He loves his cars and trucks and trains and is a real little boy. He likes to hang out with his dad at the weekends and feed the fish and watch the birds in the garden.
What is the area like which you live in?
Caterham is a small suburban town and whilst pretty hasn’t got many places of interest. Having said that there are several pretty parks and natural areas surrounding us. We are very close to Westerham, which is where Winston Churchill used to live at his home Chartwell, you can visit his home and gardens as they are open to the public. We are also very close to London and there are good train links so you can be in Victoria in about 30 mins!
What is the accommodation you offer like?
We live in a 3-storey semi detached town house. We have a double bedroom available with en-suite bathroom
What things do you like to do with your students when they visit?
Show them the local area and introduce them to places of interest but mostly let them experience a British family environment.
Do you like to cook?
What is your favourite dish you enjoy cooking, where is it from and what do you love about it? I like to cook but I cook simple foods. I like simple, clean flavours. Having said that I have been told that I make a good curry!
What is the best ‘comfort’ food ever?
Roast dinner with all the trimmings probably.
What do you think about Xilfee?
An excellent idea.
What do you both laugh at?
Each other, comedians, Michael Macintyre, Lee Evans, People on the street doing clumsy things, our little boy, the dog, everything really.
Tell Xilfee about a hobby you have…
My husband is very passionate about his fish tank. When it first arrived I could not believe the size of it and was dubious but now he has filled it with beautiful fish and coral I love it. It’s a marine fish tank and takes a lot of work but is worth it. I would have to say that my hobby would be running as I am currently training for a half marathon and although its tiring I love it. I also love to read but I don’t get so much time to do that!!!
What is the craziest thing you have ever done!
I am not a crazy sort of person really but I would have to say running 13 miles is pretty crazy.
Where was your most recent trip of over 200 miles?
Cornwall to visit my mum and before that a family holiday to Spain.
Describe your family unit and why you think a student should choose you, in less than 300 words.
We are a happy relaxed family of three and a dog, a bird and fish!! We don’t bicker, which is very important!!! We hope to offer someone a brief insight into the way a typical British family lives. We have strong family values, which many people in Britain don’t seem to have anymore and hopefully we are part of a new generation who will reintroduce that. I have often had lodgers over the years and am used to having other people in my home and I hope that we have an idea about how to make people feel at home quickly as that will benefit their whole experience. I would want them to feel relaxed and comfortable!
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