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I was thinking today about how it feels when you go to stay with a family in a foreign country. How they treat you on the first night can colour the rest of your visit.

As a regular host family, its really important to get off to a good start and also, having also been a guest on occasion, I know how it feels when you are not sure how the family operates and what is polite and what is not.

Making an exchange student feel welcome

Here are a few points to help your foreign students visits go well;

Welcome them; if male, shake hands warmly, smile directly and repeat their name and your name. If female, a peck on the cheek and warm smile and repeat of your name and your guests name.

Take charge of their luggage, take it from them (if they are female) and take it to the car.

When in the car, ask them about their journey, its a good ice breaker.

Upon reaching home, show them immediately to their room and carry up their luggage.

Show them the bathroom and how the shower works, give them towels and ask them if they would like something to eat and drink immediately or after a shower.

Don’t forget to provide a bin for your student, especially females who will have sanitary requirements. Empty it daily or show them where to empty it.

Serve something light and universal (few students turn down an immediate hot slice of pizza). If they have travelled a long distance, they will probably be hungry but not want a lengthy meal.

Don’t forget that French people generally drink water in preference to juice or squash.

If its evening time, your student will probably want to shower and retire for the night. Make sure that they know what you expect tomorrow ie. breakfast at 8.30 am and lessons to begin at 10 am on the first day etc, there is nothing worse for the guest who is not sure what to do or where to be in someone elses home.

When your guest is happily ensconced, find time to go through food likes and dislikes. Print off a list of foods in English and sit with a dictionary together to discuss. Its a great way of learning the names of foods in English too.

Talk to your visitor about what they want to achieve during their stay and write the objectives down.

Work out a timetable and adjust it daily throughout the stay.

Eat your meals together. Eating meals together will give you the opportunity to discuss the days events and plan for tomorrow.

Show photograph albums of you and your family and talk about them with your guest.

For more information about how to host foreign students see www.xilfee.eu