Will I be able to use the Host Family’s telephone and internet?
Use of the telephone and internet is exclusively at the discretion of the Host Family. Many Host Families allow students to receive incoming calls only.
If you need to make outgoing phone calls, you might consider buying an international calling card. Calling cards are available at most local shops and you can buy one that has a certain credit limit (e.g. £5, £10 etc.). When you want to call home, you will need to dial a pre-fix number before dialling your home telephone number. Please check the terms and conditions of any such card before using it on the Host Family’s phone.
Please always get the permission of your Host Family before using the phone and make sure that they are present in the house when you are doing so. You will be expected to reimburse your Host Family for costs relating to any unauthorised use.
Many international students will have a Skype telephone account which will allow you to make free international phone calls via their laptops when connected to the internet.
Where a Host Family does have Wireless internet access in the home, they will be able to give you a Pass Code to their internet account so that you can connect wirelessly to the internet from anywhere in the home.
Other Host Families might have broadband only and may be happy for you to have access to their home computer to use the internet. In this instance, please be mindful to always ask the Host Family before use and please be fair with the amount of time you spend online, especially if you are using their computer.
In the UK different home internet accounts will come with different monthly download limits. Even internet accounts that offer unlimited download can still be subject to a Fair Use policy. Please only use the internet for light use e.g. browsing. If you want to download, please ask the permission of your Host Family before doing so.
If there is no internet in your Homestay, you can easily purchase a ‘Pay as you Go’ mobile broadband stick (known as a ‘dongle’) and then top up as you need.
Host Families may include guidelines on the use of internet in the Ground Rules.