You will be welcoming foreign interns or students into your house when you host them. They will have a safe place to live, and you will have the opportunity to interact with people from other cultures in this mutually beneficial partnership.
You provide a private bedroom, meals, and a supportive family environment to the foreign student looking for accommodation. And in return, you get paid. Some programs offer a monthly stipend; others don't pay hosts directly but cover the student's expenses.
Do You Get Paid to Host an Exchange Student?
This is the first question most families ask, and the honest answer is: it depends on the program. Compensation structures vary widely across organisations.
How Does Hosting an International Student Compensation Actually Work?
Hosting an exchange student in the UK is generally viewed by the government as a cost-reimbursement arrangement rather than a profit-making business.
Typical Payment Rates: Compensation is usually paid weekly or monthly via bank transfer. Rates vary based on the package and the location.
Premium Fee in Summers: Some companies charge an extra fee to make up for the higher demand.
Hosting Multiple Students: If your home can accommodate them, you can welcome two or more students. The pay will increase accordingly.
Can You Host an Exchange Student for Money and Still Be a Good Fit?
Technically possible, but programs screen for it. Host families go through background checks, home studies, and interviews.
For example, at Host Family Stay, we individually vet every host family as per the guidelines of the British Council. We ensure that every host family in the UK is trustworthy and provide ultimate support and assistance to the student. The stipend is meant to cover costs and not generate profit solely.
How Do You Host an International Student? Here is The Full Process
To become a host family in the UK and start hosting students, we at Host Family Stay follow these basic steps.
1. Initial Application Process
You’ll need to provide basic details about yourself and your household. This is also the stage where you define your preferences (such as whether you prefer hosting university students, interns, or mature graduates).
2. Home Visit by the Organisation
A representative from the agency you are working with will visit your home to verify that the student will have the necessary stuff. It includes a private bedroom, adequate study space, and a safe environment. This isn't an inspection to trip you up. It's a matching tool to help the organisation pair you with a student.
3. Get Matched With a Student
Once approved, you'll receive student profiles to review. Most programs allow families to express preferences around student nationality, gender, dietary needs, and extracurricular interests.
4. Get Your Homestay Reservations
The matching process starts now that your profile is up. You will get booking requests that fit with your schedule and preferences.
Pro Tip from Host Family Stay: You will get more bookings from students if you are more open to hosting people from different countries and demographics.
5 Welcome Your Guest
If a reservation is made, get your home ready to greet the first guest. Besides giving them a place to stay and food, this is your chance to share British culture with them.
How Much Does It Cost to Host an Exchange Student?
The out-of-pocket cost depends entirely on your household's lifestyle and the program structure.
What You're Expected to Cover
In most programs, host families cover:
Food: the student eats meals with the family
Local transportation: school runs, activity drop-offs
Incidentals: school supplies if needed, household toiletries
Does the Stipend Cover Your Costs?
For most families, a monthly stipend roughly offsets the incremental cost of feeding and transporting an additional household member.
Requirements for Hosting an Exchange Student
Every accredited program has its own checklist, but most share a common baseline.
Standard Host Family Requirements:
Here are the key requirements you should follow to become a great host family for students.
At least one English-speaking adult in the home
A private bedroom for the student (shared rooms are not permitted)
Passing a background check for all adults 18+ in the household
An interview with the program coordinator
Financial stability sufficient to cover incremental hosting costs
No requirement to be married, own your home, or have children of your own
What Are the Benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student?
The benefits extend well beyond goodwill.
Language exposure: Even without formal lessons, daily interaction with a non-native English speaker improves linguistic awareness in younger children
Cultural depth: Food, traditions, and perspectives enter the home organically
Global network: Many host families maintain lifelong relationships with their students
Find a Host Family for International Students With Host Family Stay
International students can get a safe and fully vetted host family with Host Family Stay.
You can't really express what it's like to have an international student live with you unless you've done it yourself.
If you are open to hosting students in the UK, you can contact Host Family Stay today.