ACADEMIC FAMILIES

One of our international 14 year old Mexican students, JP made the most of being in the UK for Christmas, by spending the holidays between skiing in Switzerland and staying with a kind and welcoming host family in the UK.

Travelling back from his ski trip on New Year’s Day, JP was understandably a little nervous about staying with a host family during the festive period – and it didn’t help that the airline lost his suitcase on his flight back! Prior to JP’s skiing trip, his host mother Corinne had met him a couple of times at the start of December so they could get to know each other in readiness for his stay with her in the New Year.

Once JP arrived at Corinne’s family house, he settled in straight away – resting up a bit in the mornings after a busy couple of weeks skiing, but keen to be playing tennis with Corinne in the afternoons.

Who would have guessed that JP and Corinne, both passionate about tennis, made a great tennis duo! Much tennis was played during the week, with the penultimate match seeing them as a Doubles Team representing the local Tennis Club in a Regional Winter Tennis League! The new duo fought well and managed a draw in the end! Not bad for a couple of weeks practise together, and both Corinne and JP thoroughly enjoyed the experience. On JP’s final day with Corinne and family, he was treated to a trip to the Etihad Stadium to watch Manchester City v Chelsea – it was a fantastic game of football, enjoyed by all, especially the Man city fans!

The icing on the cake was that JP’s suitcase eventually turned up on day 5 after several long phone calls from Corinne!

JP’s family were incredibly grateful to Corinne and family for the warm welcome that they extended to him.

“JP seemed to have a great time and we all got on very well” – Corinne

We love hearing our hosts’ great heart-warming stories and all they do to support international students.