Susan Shaw
October 27th, 2009
Susan & her husband offer an interesting homestay opportunity for international students. Located in the picturesque north west of England you can also enjoy the local scenery too.
Susans Profile & Contact Details
Susan Shaw
Tell Xilfee about you and your family
We are an early retired couple in our mid 50s. We have two grown up sons, 26 and 22. The eldest one graduated from Manchester University in 2005 and now lives and works in Manchester. The younger one is studying Acoustic Engineering at Salford University, and at present is on his industrial year in London. We have a small dog, and American Fox Terrier, who is one year old.
Why did you decide to become a host family?
We love having people around us and enjoy entertaining. We regularly have friends and family staying with us and always arrange special dinners, barbeques etc. for us all to enjoy. As the boys have now left home, we thought it would be lovely to open our home to students looking for a family style stay whilst studying the language and culture of our country. We have travelled extensively and really enjoy learning about other cultures and traditions.
Do you speak any languages in addition to English?
We both speak a (very) little French and Spanish. I speak some conversational Farsi, as I lived in Iran for 3 years during the early eighties.
Describe the accommodation you offer
It is a large house in a small village. We have 2 conservatories, 2 kitchens, 2 dining rooms, two lounges and a study. We have 4 bedrooms (2 en suite), and a family bathroom, as well as a steam room. Outside is a large private garden and vegetable plot.
Where in England are you (and describe your local area)?
It is a large house in a small village in South West Cumbria At the end of our lane is a small train station where you can catch direct trains to as far as Manchester Airport in the south and Carlisle in the North. Further down the lane is the Duddon Estuary, a fantastic SSI area, home to various birds and wildlife.
What are your interests and hobbies, individually and as a family?
Keith enjoys DIY and has spent the last 20 years extending and improving out house! I enjoy cooking and entertaining. We both love walking on the fells, travelling, and gardening. This year Keith set up a good sized vegetable plot with raised beds. We have been using all our own vegetables and salads throughout this summer.
Do you have any amusing, nice or interesting stories about students or people who have stayed with you?
Although we have not yet had any students staying with us it is very normal for us to accommodate friends of our sons. Recently our youngest son brought home his housemates for the week-end, a Spanish boy, a French girl, an Italian girl and an Australian girl – it was wonderful to see such international harmony! We once had a Chinese friend of our son stay with us whose name was Jackie Chan! (No, not the film star!!).
What is your favourite dish you cook? – please describe to viewers who may not be familiar with it.
I love to cook all types of foods and it would be difficult for me to specify just one. I cook traditional English roast with fresh vegetables, Persian, Moroccan, Greek, Italian, Indian and Turkish food. My rice is to die for!
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