Students share their thoughts on, and experiences of, the HOST UK scheme where international students spend time with British families.
A number of international students from Imperial will be spending time with British families over the festive period, as part of a scheme run by the charity HOST UK together with the College's International Office. The host families are spread across the UK, and are selected for their hospitality, eagerness to learn more about other cultures and let students experience their traditions. The International Office covers the cost of applying to the scheme for Imperial students and their spouses, and there is no charge for the accommodation. We caught up with some students who had been, or were going to be, hosted by a family. Priyank Hirani (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) is a postgraduate student from India who will be heading north to the small coastal village of St Bees in the Lake District: "The whole idea of letting a stranger visit you for a couple of days amazes me and it goes to show how the world today is becoming a global village. I've just completed my undergraduate studies in Goa, which is known for its beaches, so it will be interesting to see how St Bees compares! I've certainly missed the sea. I am looking forward to meeting new people, finding out about their culture and sharing my own - probably by cooking an Indian dish for them." Another postgraduate student, Jiaqi Xu (Humanities) pictured below, spent time with a host family in Hempnall, near Norwich, in early December: "The family were very nice and hospitable and had many pets in their home.
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