What happens on the day of arrival of my students?
Students usually arrive on the weekend. If your student is arriving on a week day, then often more careful planning is needed to ensure that the student arrives at a time that does not clash with the Host Family’s working day. For example, if a student has a flight arriving in London in the afternoon but the Host Family does not finish work and get home until 7pm, then the student will need to have been made aware of this in advance so that they can aim to reach you after 7pm.
If the student is flying to London then we will endeavour to inform you of their flight arrival time, flight number and which airport they will be arriving at. Students will either pre-book an airport transfer to your home or make their way to you directly by public transport.
The Host Family will not be expected to collect students from the airport or from a pick up point. The only exception to this will be where HFS London has agreed this in advance with the Host Family; usually at the time a booking is made. Under no circumstances will a Host Family be required to collect a student if this has not been agreed in advance through HFS London and with all parties concerned.
The student’s first day in the home should include a welcome orientation, to include introductions to family members. Students will also often need initial information on local amenities and transport. We rely on the Host Family to help the student plan their journey to their place of study. Some students may, for example, prefer to travel by bus over the Underground and the Host Family is best placed to advise the student here. Many Host Families will actually drive or walk their student to the nearest station on their first day and show them how to buy and use an Oyster card. Although initially our transport system can be quite daunting for a student, after a short time of using London’s transport network students will find their feet and become independent.
It is strongly advisable to swap contact phone numbers when your student arrives. Your student may not have purchased a UK mobile phone. Many students will buy a Pay As You Go mobile phone in their first week in London. Please ask your student for their UK mobile number as soon as they are in possession of one so that they are contactable for the duration of their stay.