Families across Bath are being encouraged to consider opening their homes to international students studying locally through Elac, an established organisation that has welcomed young people from around the world to the city for more than 30 years.
Hosting offers families the chance to support students aged between 12 and 17 while they study in Bath, giving them a safe, friendly place to stay and a real taste of everyday family life in the UK.
Elac students come from a wide range of countries, most commonly Spain, Italy, France and China, and stays are short and flexible, typically lasting between four and 14 nights.
Who can become a host?
Any household with a spare room can apply to host, including families with children at home.
All hosts are supported through a straightforward approval process. This includes completing documentation, a home visit to check suitability and a DBS check, which is fully covered by ELAC.
What does hosting involve?
During the week, students are on a half-board basis, with hosts providing breakfast and an evening meal. At weekends, hosting is full board.
Students attend lessons and organised activities during the day, returning to their host family in the evenings and at weekends.
Support for host families
Hosts are never left on their own. Elac provides 24-hour support while students are in Bath, with staff available by phone and in person should any issues arise.
Many hosts say the reassurance of having constant support makes the experience feel manageable and enjoyable, particularly for first-time hosts.
A rewarding experience for the whole family
For many families, hosting is about far more than providing a room.
Children often enjoy learning about different countries, languages and traditions, while parents value the chance to share everyday British life, from mealtimes to family routines.
One local host, Paul Taylor, said, “Over the past year we have hosted some delightful students from across Europe and Asia. Elac have always been reliable in keeping us fully informed of arrangements, the programme itself and any changes that become necessary. The staff are unfailingly friendly, helpful and efficient.”
How to find out more
Families interested in hosting can contact ELAC directly at email hidden; JavaScript is required to learn more about what’s involved and whether it could be a good fit for their household.
