Hosting foreign students in Ireland

Hosting foreign students in Ireland can be a rewarding experience, both for the hosts and the students.
Sharing your home with students from different corners of the world is a decision that opens doors to cultural exchange and new friendships.
Here are just a few reasons why families all over Ireland decide to host international students through Host Family Dublin Ireland.
While the best host families don’t house a student solely for the financial compensation, the extra income generated by hosting is certainly very attractive to potential hosts and can ease the constraints of adding another member to the household.
The root motivation for any host family should always be to provide the most caring and nurturing environment for an international student, but it’s totally acceptable to enjoy the financial help that hosting a student can bring!
To ensure a positive and welcoming environment, consider these ten top tips:

Familiarise yourself with the cultural background of your guests.
Be aware of any cultural norms, customs, and taboos to create a respectful and inclusive atmosphere.
This is an interesting website discussing different cultures and their taboos. [helpfulprofessor.com]

Clear communication is essential. Ensure that your guests understand the house rules, daily routines, and any important information about their stay. If your student has a poor grasp of the language then give them a written list, you could even get it translated into different languages so that there is never any misunderstanding.
Everyone’s home is different with rules specific to their home but essential areas to be addressed should be:

1. Curfew Times
For younger students, setting curfew times can be helpful to make sure they don’t go to bed too late. For older students, it helps keep track of them to ensure they don’t return home at late hours of the night. If you
have children, or just like to go to bed early, this is a good rule to implement too.

2. Locking Doors
Be sure to check that all your locks work, including bathroom and bedroom doors. No one wants an embarrassing accident happening! Also, let your guest know how to lock/unlock the main doors in case they are the first ones to leave or the last ones to get home.

3. Eating Areas
If you don’t want crumbs in the living room or dirty plates in the bedrooms, be sure to point out the designated eating areas. Another suggestion is to point out the dishwasher, so your guest can tidy up after
themselves.

4. Appliance Use
If you have any appliance that you are somewhat sensitive about or don’t want your guests using, be sure to let them know about it. Also, some students (particularly younger ones) might not know how to use every appliance. A good idea would be to guide them on how to use the appliances to ensure they don’t run into trouble when trying to use it on their own.

5. Laundry arrangement
If you prefer your guest to leave their laundry in a provided basket for you to throw them into the washing machine once you do it for the family – feel free to inform the guest about it. If you rather have them use it for their own laundry only, then as discussed in the earlier section, just make sure you explain how to use the washing machine.

Encourage them to ask questions and express concerns, ensure they understand that your happy to help and the house rules are there for each other’s benefit.

Your student will probably get around by public transport so have a walk around the area where you live and provide a thorough orientation on. Give them transportation options, a Leapcard is usually the most versatile cost-effective way to travel in Dublin. Show them the best nearby amenities for them to spend their leisure time and important landmarks you think maybe of interest to them. This will help them feel more confident navigating their new environment. Go into Google Maps and put a location pin for your home so they can always find their way back!

Be patient and supportive if English is not their first language. Encourage conversations and offer assistance with language nuances or phrases they may find challenging. As we know we have some great Irish words such as ‘craic’ that may need some explaining

Here’s a great link you can share with your students. https://www.celtictitles.com/blog/irish-phrases-celtic-titles/

Introduce them to Irish cuisine, but also be open to learning about their food preferences. Consider planning shared meals to create a sense of community and allow them to share their own culinary traditions. You could always do a great ‘paella’ for your Spanish guests or a delicious ‘cassoulet’ for your French visitors, these will surely make them feel at home and show how much you care for their comfort.

Here’s some great links to discover:

• • https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/8031252/chicken-paella/

• https://keviniscooking.com/easy-french-cassoulet-recipe/

Organise outings to local attractions, events, or festivals. This will help your guests experience the local culture and make the most of their time in Ireland. Exploring the outdoors is a fantastic way to bond and enjoy nature’s beauty. Plan outings such as hikes, picnics, or bike rides in scenic locations. Encourage the host student to suggest activities from their own culture, like traditional games or outdoor sports. This will provide an opportunity for everyone to learn and participate in new activities, fostering teamwork and camaraderie.

You can also be the gentle push they need to step out of their comfort zones and meet new people, to join a club or team to get more involved at their school, or to engage more with your family to make the most of their experience. These investments in time and care for your student often pay off quickly, and host families love seeing their student begin to blossom and thrive as the term or year progresses.

Another excellent suggestion would be engaging in community service activities as a family provides a sense of purpose and encourages social responsibility. Research local volunteer opportunities that align with the host student’s interests and involve them in the decision-making process. By giving back to the community together, you not only create meaningful experiences but also inspire the host student to contribute positively wherever they go.

Have a look at the site: https://vagabondtoursofireland.com/blog/top-irish-festivals

Provide essential emergency information, including contact numbers, medical facilities, and any specific details about your home that may be important in case of an emergency.

This is a great list of things to run through with your students, maybe drip feed so as not to scare them but all good tips: https://www.saremeducation.com/ireland-safety-tips-for-international-students/

Encourage cultural exchange by sharing your own traditions and inviting them to share theirs. This can include holidays, celebrations, or any other significant cultural practices.

Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, Easter and any other holidays your family celebrates might be brand new to a student from another country. Teach them the meaning behind each holiday and how most people celebrate. Include them in any special traditions you share with your family. On the other hand, there are plenty of holidays from around the world that your international student celebrates that you might not be familiar with. Whether it’s Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Día de los Muertos or any other culturally important holiday, make it clear that you want to help your student celebrate. Let them explain the significance of their favourite holidays and how best to celebrate them. Soon, you’ll have a calendar full of fun days to enjoy together. Have a look at this great link to see just a few of many exciting celebrations enjoyed around the world! https://www.boredpanda.com/holidays-around-the-world/

Respect their need for privacy. Make sure they have their own space and time to relax. A good place to start is by setting up a comfortable personal space (i.e. a bedroom) for any students that will stay with your family. It can be difficult to adjust to a new living situation with people you don’t know, and your international student is bound to feel awkward at first. So offering a room that is warm, comfortable, and inviting is a great way to show them that you care about their welfare and that you respect their privacy in your home. It is usual to have a desk so they can study and access to WIFI so they can call home in the privacy of their own room.

Regularly check in with your guests to see how they are adjusting. Welcome feedback and be open to making adjustments to ensure their comfort and satisfaction during their stay. Remember, the key is to create a warm and inclusive environment where your guests feel welcomed and supported as they navigate their new surroundings in Ireland. 

Welcoming an international host student into your family opens doors to new friendships, cultural experiences, and personal growth. By engaging in a variety of activities together, both the host family and the student can deepen their understanding of one another’s cultures, forge lifelong connections, and create cherished memories. Remember, it’s the shared experiences and genuine interactions that will make this hosting experience truly transformative for all involved.