COLLEGE GUARDIANS

it comes to exeats and half-terms, staying with the same host family offers so many benefits - the comfort of returning to a familiar place, complete with home-cooked meals and chats with a family

For most students, it's a slice of stability in their times away from school, but providing the best service for our students means recognising that not everyone's game for the same routine! While some thrive on the predictability of it all, others crave a little more spontaneity. Meet Scarlett and Linda, friends from school who regularly ask us to find them a different host family in a different city. From Worcestershire to London, Oxford, Bristol and Manchester, these girls are keen to see all the UK has to offer! And it isn’t all about having company for shopping and coffee (although this is important too!) – flexibility with their hosts means Scarlett and Linda are able to scope out potential universities too. Sharing thoughts and perspectives with each other, they can gain valuable insights into different universities, courses, campus cultures, and make more informed decisions - not only mapping their academic futures but starting a journey of lifelong friendships and unforgettable adventures!

‘Going to different hosts helps me see different lifestyles and city landscapes in the UK. With help from College Guardians, I have gained the opportunity to explore places I am interested in, and look at inspiring universities that I am planning to go in the near future!’ Scarlett (L6th)

Standard benefits of our lovely host families still apply: supportive advice about exploring the local area, friendly debriefs of the day’s happenings over supper, giving any help needed - and importantly their families know that both girls are safe and looked after. But we all know experiences are even more fun and memorable with a friend, and as students get older, planning their own itinerary further encourages the independence and cooperation skills so valued in school and later life.

Celebrating the diversity of student experiences, whether rooted in the comfort of familiarity or the thrill of exploration, underscores our commitment as guardians to nurture students’ whole selves – not least the development of lifelong skills and friendships like Scarlett and Linda’s!