HOST UK Official

26/08/2026

When a weekend visit is just as special for the hosts as it is for the students, you know something wonderful has happened.

We recently heard from Shreyasi and Najma, students at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, about their HOST UK weekend with Gay and Michael in West Sussex.

From the moment they arrived, they were welcomed with immense warmth. Their hosts shared their favourite local places, from Arundel to the stunning countryside, and introduced them to cherished traditions, including a Sunday roast and apple crumble made with apples from their own garden.

As Shreyasi told us: "We returned with beautiful memories, a deeper appreciation of British culture, and friendships that we hope will last for many years."

And the feeling was mutual. Hosts Gay and Michael described it as a "marvellous weekend" with "incredibly engaging and interesting people." They finished their feedback with a line that says it all: "This is probably the best host visit we have had."

A huge thank you to Shreyasi, Najma, Gay, and Michael for reminding us what the true spirit of cultural exchange looks like.

18/08/2026

What makes a weekend visit truly special? Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that leave the biggest impression.

That was certainly true for Glaniz, a student from Indonesia studying at Imperial College London, during her recent HOST UK weekend. She told us all about her stay with hosts Anna and Andy, who took her to a fun carnival and showed her around the beautiful town of Bakewell.

But what was one of her favourite memories?

In her own words: "Having dinner together in their backyard while sipping wine, watching the beautiful sunset, and eating ice cream for dessert."

It’s these simple, relaxed moments of shared food and conversation that turn a short stay into a cherished memory. Thank you, Anna and Andy, for creating such a wonderful welcome for Glaniz.

10/08/2026

A wonderful HOST UK welcome for Amanda from Indonesia, an international student at King's College London, who recently enjoyed a memorable weekend visit in Somerset!

Amanda was warmly welcomed by her host and included in everyday activities, giving her a real taste of British culture and home life. It’s these simple, genuine experiences that offer a true home away from home and help turn a new country into a familiar place.

As we celebrate Amanda's great experience, we're also looking forward to all the new international students arriving in the UK for the upcoming academic year.

We can’t wait to help create more special memories!

27/07/2026

How does a guest become family? Sometimes, it starts with a simple welcome.

For hosts Lesley and Ian, opening their home to international students in 2005 was the beginning of an incredible journey. When Tharindu, a young woman from Sri Lanka, came to stay with them, none of them knew it would be the start of a lifelong bond.

Nearly two decades later, that connection has deepened into something truly special. Lesley and Ian are now proud honorary grandparents to Tharindu's twin children, sharing birthdays, milestones, and countless memories.

Their story is a beautiful testament to how cultural exchange can create family in the most unexpected ways.

Read the full heartwarming story on our blog.
https://eiluk.org/news/blog/from-guests-to-grandchildren/

23/07/2026

Sometimes, a weekend stay is about more than just a new place. It’s about finding a sense of belonging.

We recently received some beautiful feedback from Lilly, a student from Ghana studying at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, that perfectly captures this.

Lilly shared that she felt anxious before her visit, nervous about being an introverted, Black international student in a new environment. But that all changed with a single moment:

"The very first hug I received from my hostess at the station. It was so warm, maternal and genuine that I instantly felt welcomed, accepted, and reassured that I would be alright."

What followed was a weekend that Lilly described as a "match made in heaven." A budding doctor hoping to specialise in obstetrics, she was hosted by an experienced midwife. They shared deep conversations about their work, but also the simple joys of everyday life: morning walks on the farm, pub games, and chats with the family.

Lilly told us she left feeling more confident, more culturally aware, and with a memorable experience she’ll carry with her for a long time.

A huge thank you to Lilly for sharing her story, and to her incredible hosts for creating a space where a student could not only feel welcomed, but truly seen.

19/07/2026

We are already looking forward to the arrival of university students in the Autumn. Offering friendship through a HOST UK Weekend Stay is greatly appreciated by international students far from home and missing their own friends and family.

This is often the first time they’ve been invited into a UK home and is a great chance to get away from campus and discover the delights of our country.

If you are available to host this autumn please let your Regional Organiser or Calvin know!

06/07/2026

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

This is the heart of the HOST experience, captured perfectly. It’s the simple, shared moments that create the most genuine connections.

A huge thank you to our hosts and students for making these moments happen. 😀

30/06/2026

Pop over to our EIL UK page for our recent series of posts, comparing the student and host experience 😀

Every cultural exchange has two sides to the story.

There's the student's journey of discovery. And the host family's experience of opening their home.

This weekend, we’re sharing both. 😀

First up tomorrow: Alessandro's story from Italy. Don't miss it.

09/06/2026

From a weekend stay in Hampshire to a wedding in Kenya.

A simple HOST visit in 2013 was just the beginning of an incredible story for one international student and her host.

Discover how their connection blossomed into a lifelong bond that crossed continents. Read this heartwarming story on our blog.

https://eiluk.org/news/blog/a-friendship-that-led-all-the-way-to-my-wedding/

01/06/2026

Our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who make our HOST UK programme a success! 😍

Volunteers’ Week 2026 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution our hosts, supporter volunteers and trustees make to EIL UK. You are at the heart of our mission to deepen cultural understanding and to create the long‑lasting friendships that enrich so many lives.

Thank you for giving your time, enthusiasm and skills so generously. Your commitment has made an extraordinary difference, supporting every participant who returns home with memories and experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. Your impact is felt in every story shared, every connection made and every moment of understanding that reaches across cultures.