Hosting Overseas Students
We are looking for new host families with spare rooms in Gants Hill (IG2) to host our international students. Here at HFS London we recruit homestays on behalf of many of London’s language schools and educational institutions (universities, business schools, FE colleges etc). These institutions send us their students, and we match and place them with host families across London.
Whilst we do recruit homestays throughout London (North, South, East & West), we are particularly interested in taking on new hosts in the Gants Hill area.
If you live in Gants Hill, becoming a host family to students is a safe and fun way to make a little bit of extra income.
Our students are young adults; mainly over 18 years old. We do place students aged 16 & 17 as well. Students tend to be visiting London on a short-term basis (weeks not months) and often choose homestay to find their feet in London.
Time and time again our hosts feedback that they prefer hosting students over other, less personal options for their spare room. It can be very rewarding to help a young person settle in to life in London. Many of our best hosts stay in touch with their students long after they leave London.
Why Gants Hill (IG2)
International students like Gants Hill as a zone 4 homestay location because:
- Students have access to Gants Hill underground/central line station (zone 4) with short journey times into central London, in particular to Holborn (Bloomsbury). This is where many of London’s language schools are based. Gants Hill to Holborn is approximately 35 minutes; it is a direct journey with no changes required and trains are regular (usually every 2-4 minutes). By London travel standards this is very good!
- Gants Hill has many larger family homes offering international students the potential of a real “home from home” homestay experience.
- Safety – Gants Hill is known as one of London’s “safer” areas. It has a more suburban feel than other nearby areas, and so many of our overseas students report feeling safe here.
Group Homestays
Gants Hill is a popular area for group homestays in London. We place many student groups in and around this area, and hence always have a need for new hosts here.
The groups can be large, up to 100 students at a time. They usually arrive in the area by coach transfer from the airport.
The student groups are usually accompanied by group leaders who request that their students are clustered in the same area. Other neighboring areas that are in demand for group homestays are Woodford, South Woodford, Redbridge, Snaresbrook.
How to Become a Host Family
If you live in Gants Hill, and you think you’d like to become a host family, then the first step is to fill out our online application form. We’ll require details from you such as your name, address, email, details of the accommodation etc.
We have specific catchment areas when taking on hew homestay hosts. One of the most important factors in deciding if you are in or out of our catchment is your proximity to the nearest station(s).
On receipt of your application, one of our administration team will call you to run through the details of your application over the phone. If you are in catchment and we feel that homestay is right for you, then we will explain the next steps and organise for one of our Home Assessment team to come out and meet you.
Questions – We can help!
If you have any questions about hosting students, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our offices are open Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm and our friendly team will be happy to hear from you!
