What are Ground Rules?
Host Families will provide Ground Rules to each student staying with them from the outset to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure that students are clear on the house rules.
Areas that might be included in the Ground Rules are:
- Policy on use of telephone for incoming and outgoing calls
- Policy for internet usage
- Times for using the bath/shower
- Keeping the bathroom tidy and clear of toiletries
- Where, if at all, smoking is permitted
- Whether visitors are welcome and until what time
- Guests of the opposite sex
- Times for breakfast and, if applicable, evening meals
- What to do when a student expects to be home late
- Rules on overnight guests
- Number of wash loads allowed per week
- Noise levels at particular times of the day
- Clear guidelines on where food will be stored
- Whether food is allowed in the student’s room
- Reminder to return house keys before departure
Please be conscious that in choosing to live with a Host Family you may not have some of the independence that you would have if, for example, you chose to live in a Halls of Residence or Student House Share. You will be living within a family home environment and your actions and behaviour will directly affect your Host Family.
Please remember that any Ground Rules are designed to help you integrate into the family home and they will be rules that are for the whole household.