Could you lay an extra place at your table this Christmas for an international student? Each year the charity EIL UK, receives hundreds of applications from international students studying at British universities hoping to experience Christmas or New Year in a British home.
EIL’s Volunteers Manager Calvin Hewitt, says, “Volunteer hosts tell us how much international students add to their Christmas and New Year festivities. Hosts enjoy sharing their festive traditions and the students are so appreciative and grateful for the friendship and fun at a time of year when everyone who’s far away from their family hopes to find a home from home.”
Jean and Ken have been welcoming guests since 2008. They have formed a particularly strong bond with Charlene (the Anglicised name she has adopted), a student from China:
“Charlene came for a Festive Visit in December 2010 from Warwick University. She took the train from Warwick, through Birmingham and Shrewsbury to Llandrindod Wells. After we had arranged for her to visit us, our son said he wanted to bring his girlfriend, so she came as well, and it made it a real family Christmas.
We had a typical Christmas dinner, and we exchanged small gifts. It was one of those years where it really snowed heavily and that was very unusual for Charlene to see. Our son drove all of us up to the Elan Valley where there is a series of reservoirs. They were partly frozen, and the top one was fully frozen over, which has never happened again since we’ve been here.
Charlene keeps in touch regularly through Facebook and we have always exchanged Christmas cards. In 2013 we attended her wedding in Surrey and earlier this year she, her husband Jonathan and their two children visited us at home. She has really become part of the family.”
Miho from Japan sums up the significance of a HOST Christmas visit,
“All my friends at university went home for Christmas and I was one of the only students who did not go home (because flights for the Christmas period to Japan are very expensive). Sally and Stephen did not just save me from spending Christmas alone but also, they let me experience an authentic British Christmas. As Christmas is such a family holiday and usually kept to a private event, I would have never known what British Christmas is like if the HOST visit did not offer this opportunity and such a first-hand experience was just unforgettable.”
Would you like to welcome an overseas student into your home this year? If you live in Cardiff and could offer friendship and host an overseas university student for a 3-night stay between 20th December 2024 and 5th January 2025, drop a line to host@eiluk.org to find out more about this rich and rewarding experience or call Calvin on 01684 562577.
