The students cannot afford to go home for Xmas
A charity has appealed for Chiswick families to host international students from overseas over the Christmas period.
Host UK says that an unprecedented number of students have applied for HOST visits during the Christmas vacation this year - 400 more than last year.
"Many have written to us of how much they are hoping to spend Christmas, or New Year, or any few days during the festive season, in a real home with friendly people. Money is tight for many of them and they don’t necessarily have the means to go on the trips to the continent which they have done in recent years," said a spokeswoman for the organisation.
Host was set up 25 years ago by the British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Victoria League. The idea was to give international students the opportunity to learn more about British culture and family life, and avoid them having to spend a lonely Christmas on a university campus. However funding has been cut and the organisation struggles to raise cash to help the students.
This year the number of applications for Christmas hostings is high because the students have less money to spend on returning home to see their own families due to the economic downturn. Many of them are from Asia and the Far East.
There are 1600 hosts in the UK, and while many of them are couples aged over 55 with grown up children, the organisation said families with young children are also needed. The visit can be for a few days or longer.
All enquiries to 0207 7396292
December 8, 2012