HOST UK Official

31/10/2026

A HOST UK friendship can start with one festive visit and grow from there.

Jem and Penny in Hertfordshire first welcomed a student from China one Christmas. He came back the next year, and every Christmas after that. He now calls them his English parents.

They acted as parental representatives at his graduation, and have visited him in China three times. The whole family went to his wedding, and they even had the privilege of naming his two little girls.

They hope he'll visit the UK next year with his wife and daughters.

“We feel honoured that we could host him all those years ago,” Jem and Penny told us, and they thank HOST for making it possible.

Thank you, Jem and Penny, for sharing your story, and for the welcome you gave him.

27/10/2026

A great opportunity to find out more about the Farewill offer. Check out the details in our EIL UK post!

Not sure whether you need a will? You're not alone.

As part of Free Wills Month, we've teamed up with Farewill to offer free wills for our hosts and other volunteers. If you'd like to know a little more first, there's a free, open webinar on Friday 30 October, 12pm to 1pm.

It will be led by Farewill's Legal Counsel, Rourke Bulbring. He'll cover common questions and misconceptions about writing a will, why having one matters at different stages of life, and what to expect from Farewill's online and telephone services.

It's a relaxed, no-pressure introduction, and anyone is welcome to join.

To register, and to find out more about Free Wills Month, visit: https://eiluk.org/donate-2/free-wills-month-october-2026/

17/10/2026

We hope this will be useful to some of our volunteers! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HuAamek9c/

October 2026 is Free Wills Month and we have teamed up with Farewill to offer free wills for our hosts and other volunteers.

For further information, visit: https://eiluk.org/donate-2/free-wills-month-october-2026/

06/10/2026

We look forward to meeting many of our HOST UK volunteers. 😀

We’re looking forward to getting together with EIL UK and HOST UK volunteers on Saturday 10 October for the EIL UK Get-Together 2026.

The day will be a chance to celebrate 90 years of EIL in the UK, catch up, share experiences, recognise the people who have contributed so much to our work, and look ahead to the future.

Invitations have already gone out, so if you’re expecting to join us but haven’t registered yet, do have a look for your invitation email — there’s still time to sign up. 🥳

27/09/2026

Sometimes, a HOST weekend leaves just as big an impression on the hosts as it does on the student. A recent visit in Worcestershire beautifully illustrates this two-way connection.

Vanessa, a student from Kenya studying at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, spent the weekend with Becci, Nick, and their family. For her, the experience was about simple, warm moments: morning walks, shared meals, and conversations that were "either warm or fun or both."

The impact was clear. In her own words: “I have made a home away from home at Nick and Becci’s house.”

For the hosts, the experience was just as meaningful. Becci told us that seeing Vanessa relax in their home "lightened my heart." She described her as a joy to host, an "incredibly brave and resilient young person" who stepped out of her comfort zone.

Becci’s final thought perfectly mirrors Vanessa's: “She has left a stamp on our hearts and our home.”

A huge thank you to Vanessa, Becci, and Nick for sharing their story. It’s a wonderful reminder of how a short stay can create such a lasting, mutual bond.

16/09/2026

A weekend visit can often feel like finding a second family.

This was the feeling shared by a student after a HOST weekend in Somerset, and it perfectly captures the spirit of the programme.

As the new academic year gets underway, we are looking forward to helping more international students create their own positive memories. Our aim is to offer a true home away from home, where genuine connections can be made.

A huge thank you to our wonderful hosts in Somerset and across the country, who open their homes and make these welcoming experiences possible.

26/08/2026

When a weekend visit is just as special for the hosts as it is for the students, you know something wonderful has happened.

We recently heard from Shreyasi and Najma, students at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, about their HOST UK weekend with Gay and Michael in West Sussex.

From the moment they arrived, they were welcomed with immense warmth. Their hosts shared their favourite local places, from Arundel to the stunning countryside, and introduced them to cherished traditions, including a Sunday roast and apple crumble made with apples from their own garden.

As Shreyasi told us: "We returned with beautiful memories, a deeper appreciation of British culture, and friendships that we hope will last for many years."

And the feeling was mutual. Hosts Gay and Michael described it as a "marvellous weekend" with "incredibly engaging and interesting people." They finished their feedback with a line that says it all: "This is probably the best host visit we have had."

A huge thank you to Shreyasi, Najma, Gay, and Michael for reminding us what the true spirit of cultural exchange looks like.

18/08/2026

What makes a weekend visit truly special? Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that leave the biggest impression.

That was certainly true for Glaniz, a student from Indonesia studying at Imperial College London, during her recent HOST UK weekend. She told us all about her stay with hosts Anna and Andy, who took her to a fun carnival and showed her around the beautiful town of Bakewell.

But what was one of her favourite memories?

In her own words: "Having dinner together in their backyard while sipping w**e, watching the beautiful sunset, and eating ice cream for dessert."

It’s these simple, relaxed moments of shared food and conversation that turn a short stay into a cherished memory. Thank you, Anna and Andy, for creating such a wonderful welcome for Glaniz.

10/08/2026

A wonderful HOST UK welcome for Amanda from Indonesia, an international student at King's College London, who recently enjoyed a memorable weekend visit in Somerset!

Amanda was warmly welcomed by her host and included in everyday activities, giving her a real taste of British culture and home life. It’s these simple, genuine experiences that offer a true home away from home and help turn a new country into a familiar place.

As we celebrate Amanda's great experience, we're also looking forward to all the new international students arriving in the UK for the upcoming academic year.

We can’t wait to help create more special memories!

27/07/2026

How does a guest become family? Sometimes, it starts with a simple welcome.

For hosts Lesley and Ian, opening their home to international students in 2005 was the beginning of an incredible journey. When Tharindu, a young woman from Sri Lanka, came to stay with them, none of them knew it would be the start of a lifelong bond.

Nearly two decades later, that connection has deepened into something truly special. Lesley and Ian are now proud honorary grandparents to Tharindu's twin children, sharing birthdays, milestones, and countless memories.

Their story is a beautiful testament to how cultural exchange can create family in the most unexpected ways.

Read the full heartwarming story on our blog.
https://eiluk.org/news/blog/from-guests-to-grandchildren/