Families in Surrey are being asked to host international students in their homes who will be attending independent schools in the area.

With half term holidays and exeat weekends fast approaching, these students need a comfortable home away from home so that they can do their studies.

Pippa’s Guardians is a trusted Guardianship service with over 25 years of experience in providing high-quality care to international students.

They are looking for warm and welcoming host families who can positively impact a student’s wellbeing while they are away from home.

According to Pippa’s Guardians, the most important qualities they look for in a host family are an interest in other cultures and a welcoming attitude.

Families with children value the opportunity to learn about different cultures and to share their daily lives with young people of diverse backgrounds.

For families with grown children who have left home, hosting international students offers a chance to enjoy the company of young people once again.

They also note that being part of a family helps enhance a student’s study and language skills, and improves their overall experience in a foreign country.

Aside from the fulfilment of providing a home to students, Pippa’s Guardians promise their host families a generous payment for their service.

Pippa’s Guardian’s highlights that this opportunity is a chance to learn about different cultures and life experiences.

Many of Pippa’s Guardian’s host families form long-lasting friendships with the students they accommodate and even after they move on to universities, the families tend to stay in touch.

One of Pippa’s Guardian’s hosts is Kathy Redman from Surrey, who began hosting international students this year and has found the experience enriching.

Kathy enjoys taking students around town and to museums to learn about each other’s backgrounds.

She said: “’Not only do the students I host learn but I also feel it broadens my horizons too, I learn about their cultures and enjoy visiting museums with them and learning something new. I feel privileged to open my home to students so far from their own’’.

If you are interested in becoming a host family for an international student attending school in Surrey this September, please contact Pippa’s Guardians at hostfamilies@pippasguardians.co.uk.