For host families
Spare room?
Make it part of something bigger.
Welcome international students into your home, meet young people from across Europe and earn additional income through short, flexible school-group stays.
- 3 to 4 nights
- Typical weekday stays
- Students out all day
- School groups follow organised daytime programmes
- 2, 3 or 4 students
- Students usually stay together in small groups
- Flexible hosting
- Accept bookings that work for your household
Hosting that fits around everyday life
If you have a spare room, hosting students can be a rewarding way to make use of your home while welcoming new cultures into family life.
Our students usually stay for three or four nights during the week. They are out during the day with their teachers on organised educational programmes, returning to their host family in the evening.
Hosts receive local support throughout the stay and can choose which bookings they are available to accept.
See how hosting works
A quick introduction to hosting Cultural Connection students, what to expect and how we support you throughout the experience.
Earn additional income from your spare room
Under the government’s Rent a Room Scheme, up to £7,500 a year of income from hosting can be tax-free (£3,750 if you share the income with someone else). Check the details on GOV.UK.
Eligibility depends on your circumstances.
How it works
- 01
Enquire
Tell us a little about your home and where you live.
- 02
Home visit
A local organiser visits your home, explains how hosting works and assesses the accommodation.
- 03
Register
Complete your host registration and provide the information and documents needed for approval.
- 04
Host
Receive booking opportunities and accept the stays that suit your household.
Host feedback
What our hosts say
So wonderful hosting with Cultural Connection. I really think they are a fabulous professional, caring company and highly recommended, one of the best in the business. Hosting is so rewarding.
This is a fantastic company to work with. My experience has been fantastic. Jimmy and Jordan genuinely care for all the students and host families. Thank you for caring and keeping children and young people at the heart of your work.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience both working with Jimmy and having students. Organisation, helpfulness and advice have all been much appreciated and I look forward to continuing in the future!
Host family questions
Can I choose when I host?
Yes, completely. Block out any dates you can’t do on your host dashboard, and we only ask that you honour the dates you say you’re available. It’s one of the best things about hosting with us.
How many groups could I host in a year?
As few or as many as you’d like. If you want to be busy, realistically that’s somewhere between 15 and 35 groups a year.
When do groups stay, and for how long?
Students stay for 3 or 4 nights during the week, so your weekends stay yours. They’re out all day with their group.
What are the drop-off and pick-up times?
Students meet their group at the local meeting point at around 7:30 to 7:45am, and you collect them from the same place at 7pm. Most hosts are surprised by how well it fits around their routine.
Do students need their own room?
No. They’re classmates on a school trip and are very happy to share a room.
What happens if there’s an emergency?
In a medical emergency, call 999 first. After that, a local organiser is on call 24/7 for full support, and the group’s teachers are nearby if you ever need them.
What checks do you carry out on hosts?
Every prospective host is assessed in their home and we collect references. We also record and monitor safeguarding checks and gas safety documentation, and our local organisers get to know every host.
How much will I be paid?
Rates are shared in our host information pack. Tell us a little about your home and we’ll send it over.
Find your area
Interested in hosting?
Tell us a little about your home and we'll get in touch to explain how hosting works in your area.
Prefer to speak to us?
- WhatsApp our host team
- +44 7761 249783
Not sure if hosting is right for you? Get in touch and we'll happily talk you through how it works.