Life as a Kaplan Homestay Host

Amidst the excitement of starting a language adventure abroad, it's crucial to consider the experience of the hosts who open their homes to these students. What's it like for them? What do they gain from welcoming international students? At Kaplan, we recognize the importance of ensuring not only the comfort and security of our students but also the satisfaction and fulfilment of our host families. That's why we meticulously vet and continually review all our accommodation options, including our homestay program. Our commitment to excellence extends to both our students and our hosts, ensuring that everyone involved receives nothing but the best from their #KaplanExperience. 

What do our hosts think? 

The best way to know what it’s like to be a Kaplan host, is to talk to one! Emma Higgins, a 36-year-old residing in Oxford, UK, along with her partner Mike, and their two daughters aged 10 and 14, has been opening her home to Kaplan students for over a decade. Having hosted around 50 different students, when it comes to sharing their experience, they have “countless fun memories”. 

Emma told us:

“One (memory) that stands out is a karaoke night we organized where everyone sang their hearts out. It was hilarious and a fantastic bonding experience for all of us!” 

For Kaplan host families, the international students that come to live with them become more than just lodgers, they become a member of the family – and families stay in touch. “We keep in touch with many of them, and one of our former students even lives just ten minutes away from us now... One of our students got married and we all attended the wedding. It was such a beautiful and emotional celebration of love.” 

And Emma’s not the only one! Brigid Crowley-Swaine from Dublin has been hosting Kaplan students with her husband for over 22 years, and the connections she has formed with some students will stay with her forever. She told us that they “hosted a Brazilian student back in 2012. Since then, we kept in contact and every year at my birthday he sends me a bouquet of flowers, even though he went back to Brazil almost 10 years ago.” 

Many might think that the only motivator for becoming a Kaplan host is money, but it’s so much deeper than that. Mary Carver, 60, from Dublin, told us that:

 “The idea of not living alone appealed to me, so hosting students has been a great experience.”  

Our hosts enjoy caring for our students and do their best to ensure that each student feels comfortable and at ease in their home. Mary told us “I make a commitment to always be there for the students, whether they need support or are going through a tough time. 

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The comfort and companionship that students feel from their host families is very much reciprocated. Of course, we know that students benefit hugely from conversing with their host every day and practicing their English, but at the same time our students also teach the host families! 

Mary explained, “I love that we can always bring diverse perspectives to the table. I learn a great deal from them, and connecting with them also connects me to the world. I've come to realize that despite cultural differences, we are all fundamentally the same; we just speak different languages.” 

Sandra Baneham, 67 agrees, telling us:

“I love that I can get to know different cultures, cuisine. I become friends with most of my students and can always have a good conversation during dinner or breakfast.”  

But of course it's important that our hosts have peace of mind also. Partnering with Kaplan ensures smooth transitions with a trusted company. Olga and Peter Jones told us that "usually, we host about 3 or4 students at one time. We have decided to host with Kaplan as it is well established and popular college throughout the UK."

Creating a home away from home 

At Kaplan, our homestay program offers students the unique opportunity to live with a local family, providing companionship, security, some meals, and a warm, welcoming environment. Our rigorous selection process ensures that each host family, like Emma's, meets our high standards of trust, reliability, and community recommendations. 

The benefits of staying with a host family 

Choosing a host family with Kaplan comes with numerous advantages: 

1. Cultural and Language Immersion: Living with a local family offers students insights into the local culture and provides daily opportunities to practice English in a natural setting. 
2. Home Comforts: For many students, the welcoming atmosphere and companionship of a host family offer a sense of belonging that may be lacking in other forms of accommodation 
3. Personalized Support: Kaplan matches students with hosts based on their preferences and needs, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to everyone 
4. Safe Environment: Safety is paramount, particularly for under-18 students. Kaplan conducts rigorous background checks on hosts and maintains strict standards of care and protection to ensure a secure environment 
5. Flexible Solutions: In the rare event of mismatches, Kaplan maintains an open-door policy, allowing students to seek assistance and explore alternative arrangements 

Being a Kaplan host family is not just about providing accommodation; it's about creating a supportive, nurturing environment where students can thrive. With dedicated host families like Emma's, ready to welcome students with open arms, our homestay program ensures that every student feels at home, no matter where they are in the world.