Home / Students & Parents / Visitor Information

──── STUDENT / VISITOR INFORMATION

Your homestay handbook

Practical guidance for before you travel and during your stay. Read it with your family, and keep it handy on your phone.

Ask a Question

A home away
from home

──── PACKING

Packing & what to bring

British weather changes quickly, even in summer. Pack layers and keep important documents in your hand luggage.

Clothing for UK weather

✓ A waterproof jacket and a compact umbrella

✓ Layers: T-shirts, a warm jumper or fleece

✓ Comfortable walking shoes

✓ Something smarter for a school event or trip

Documents

✓ Passport and any visa or entry documents

✓ Travel insurance details

✓ Your A&O pre-arrival pack

Electronics

✓ UK three-pin plug adapter (type G)

✓ Phone charger and a power bank

✓ Headphones for travel

✓ Check your phone plan for UK roaming

Health & medication

✓ Any regular medication, in original packaging

✓ A copy of prescriptions in English

✓ EHIC/GHIC or travel health cover if applicable

✓ Let us know about allergies before you travel

──── EMERGENCIES

Emergencies & who to contact

Save these numbers in your phone before you travel.

In an emergency

✓ Speak to your host family

✓ Contact your lead teacher

✓ Contact your next of kin

✓ Contact local organiser

Your A&O contacts

✓ Passport and any visa or entry documents

✓ Travel insurance details

✓ Your A&O pre-arrival pack

Lost or worried?

✓ Lost passport: contact your embassy and tell us

✓ Lost phone or keys: tell your host and coordinator

✓ Feeling unsafe or unhappy: tell your coordinator straight away

A&O 24/7 emergency line: 07572 626441

──── CULTURE & HOMESICKNESS

Communication, cultural differences & homesickness

Feeling a little homesick in the first week is completely normal. Talking about it really helps.

Communication

✓ Say please and thank you: it matters in British homes

✓ If you do not understand, ask your host to repeat or explain

✓ Join conversations at dinner, even with simple English

✓ Tell your host if something is wrong: they want to help

Cultural differences

✓ Queuing and punctuality are taken seriously

✓ Families may have pets: tell us early if this is a concern

Homesickness

✓ Keep busy and say yes to family activities

✓ Set regular, not constant, calls home

✓ Talk to your coordinator at any time

✓ Most students feel settled within a few days

──── HOUSEHOLD & ROUTINE

Household expectations & daily routine

Every home is different. Your host will explain their house rules on your first day. These are the common ones.

Your room & Wi-Fi

✓ Keep your room tidy and open the window for fresh air

✓ Ask for the Wi-Fi password on arrival

Bathroom etiquette

✓ Keep showers to around 10 minutes, especially in the morning

✓ Leave the bathroom tidy for the next person

✓ Check bathroom times with your host on busy mornings

──── MEALS & DIETS

Meals, dietary requirements & allergies

Sharing meals is a highlight of homestay life. Your meal arrangement is confirmed before you arrive.

A typical day

✓ Breakfast at home: cereal, toast, fruit and tea or juice

✓ Packed lunch

✓ Evening meal with the family

✓ Let your host know if you will be late for dinner

Dietary needs

✓ Tell us about vegetarian, vegan, halal or other needs when you enquire

✓ We only match you with hosts who can cater for them

✓ Speak to your host if you would like to try or avoid certain foods

Allergies & medical diets

✓ Share full allergy details and severity in advance

✓ Bring any auto-injectors or medication you need

✓ Your host and coordinator will have this information

✓ Always check labels when eating out

Still have a question before you travel?

Our team is happy to help students and parents with anything not covered here.

Read the FAQs →

Contact Our Team