If you’re visiting the UK to study, chances are that you already speak some English. However, if you’re looking to improve your English skills and eventually prove your expertise with a qualification, sitting the IELTS exam and gaining the certification may be a positive step for you.  

If you’d like to study for the IELTS exam and sit it whilst in the UK, speak to your study centre and enquire what options they can offer during your stay in London. In the meantime, read on to judge whether this examination is the right one for you. 

What is IELTS? 

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System, and is the most popular English language proficiency test in the world for non-native English speakers looking to prove their skills. It is a qualification required by many organisations worldwide, including universities and colleges, government departments and immigration authorities, professional associations and multinational companies and employers. Over 3,000,000 people take an IELTS test every year. 

Where can I sit the IELTS exam?

IELTS is accredited by the British Council, who promote cultural and educational opportunities all over the world. The IELTS exam can be sat in their offices (of which there are some in London, but also in other major world cities and capitals) or at any accredited study centre – basically, somewhere that fits the British Council’s standards and has been given permission to host the exams. Test centres can be found in over 1,600 locations spanning 140 countries. Find out how to apply for IELTS here. 

What does the IELTS test cover?

There are two types of IELTS test, and which you sit should be determined by what you need it for. The IELTS General Training test covers conversational English is everyday social and professional situations, and the IELTS Academic test takes this further to include academic language suitable for higher educational studying or training. Both include aspects of speaking, listening, reading and writing English, to ensure that those who pass are both well understood and can demonstrate understanding. 

What format does the IELTS test take?

The listening, reading and writing parts of the test all take place back-to-back and last in total about 2.5 hours. The speaking test can be completed immediately thereafter, but requires a different type of examiner; so some study centres instead allow students to sit this part of the exam later on (and it can be done up to 7 days after the rest). The speaking portion of the exam takes up to 15 minutes. 

Why should I take IELTS? 

Everyone’s reasons for taking IELTS are different, but if you wish to demonstrate your English language skills, it’s very much the ‘go-to’ level qualification. Employers all over the world often request an IELTS pass as minimum language level and lots of government departments and immigration authorities in English-speaking countries require this too. 

At present, you don’t need to have an IELTS qualification to enter the UK for studying purposes (so you may study for it and take the exam during your stay), but requirements change all the time and it’s still too early to say what impact Brexit may have on such stipulations. 

If you’d like to speak to another overseas student who has already taken the IELTS exam or would like more information on what is involved in studying for and taking the exam, get in touch with the HFS London team. Whilst not all students choosing to study and homestay in the UK decide take the IELTS exam, many do; and we can help you make a decision on whether you’d like to, too.  

Enjoy HFS London Lab? Check out our other posts here.

The post HFS Language Lab: Studying for IELTS appeared first on HFS London.

You only need to watch British television once or twice to determine that not only are there are a lot of very different accents in English, there’s also a lot of slang words and colloquialisms that vary from area to area. Fear not, budding English speakers: HFS are here to help you understand some common words and phrases – drop these into your conversational English and the locals will be really impressed with your knowledge. 

You’re most likely to hear younger people use slang in the UK and it’s likely that you’ll find that those slightly older use more formal language. These phrases may not be appropriate everywhere or to everyone, and there will be regional variations, so don’t be afraid to ask your homestay hosts if you don’t understand something! 

Basic British Slang

“Fancy a cuppa?”

As you’ll undoubtedly already know, us Brits enjoy a cup of tea. Or three. The phrase ‘cup of tea’ is often combined and shortened to simply ‘a cuppa’. If you’re in a home, offer to put the kettle on (Brits use electric kettles rather than stove ones, so simply fill up with water and turn it on!), or if you’re out and about stop into the nearest café. Don’t worry if you’re not into English Breakfast Tea – a cuppa is assumed to be tea but it’s not rude to request a coffee or cold drink instead. 

“Oh, bloody hell!”

It’s common sense that ‘bloody’ would mean ‘covered in blood’, and… it does! However, when referring to something that isn’t related to blood, the word bloody is used a mild expletive. It’s a typically British mild swear word but not usually considered offensive as it’s now quite dated. It intensifies the use of whatever word comes after it but only really works in British English, and not American. 

“What a cracker!”

Another word with multiple meanings, and a third in American English, ‘cracker’ may not be referring to what you think it is. A cracker is a savoury biscuit, a Christmas decoration and in slang, refers to something brilliant. To say something is a cracker or is cracking means that it’s fantastic. ‘That’s an absolute cracker’ would mean ‘that is great!’ and to say ‘what a cracking girl’ would mean ‘she’s a brilliant woman’. What’s more, to say ‘get cracking’ means ‘to get started’. And in American English is an offensive word. Tune in carefully to conversation to understand what it means in the given context. 

“Alright?”

Brits often greet each other in passing with just this single word and a nod of the head… and they respond to it with the same word back! In short, it’s meant to mean “Are you alright?” and then “Yes thanks, I’m alright” in response. If met with this greeting, smile, repeat it and keep walking – it’s unlikely that the other person intends to stop and chat further in this context. 

If you’d like to learn more about English slang, tune into some British television to hear informal conversations. UK-based soap operas are particularly good for learning English as they tend to be set in a particular region of the country so combine accents and slang. Eastenders is based in London (ideal for your homestay preparations!), Coronation Street in Manchester and Emmerdale in Yorkshire, so there really is something for everyone. Reality TV shows tend to mix and match contestants from different areas of the UK, so they’re good for helping you identify accents and pronunciations.  

What’s your favourite slang word or phrase in English? Let us know and we’ll include it in a future article! 

Enjoy HFS London Lab? Check out our other posts here.

The post HFS Language Lab: An Introduction to British slang appeared first on HFS London.

Leyton and Leytonstone are classic ‘East London’ destinations, situated in the London Borough of Waltham Forest about 7 miles north east of Charing Cross. Predominantly a residential area, it’s famous for its traditional English Victorian terraced houses and for being home to part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympics Park; which played a large role in the hosting of the London 2012 Olympics. 

We mention all of this as we’re currently actively recruiting homestay host families in the Leyton and Leytonstone area. These are local families who have a spare room and are able to host an international student guest for a short-term stay while they need to live in London to complete their study or work placements. Homestays really allow students to immerse themselves in British culture, life and language, in a way that simply can’t be achieved staying in a hotel! 

HFS London matches international students looking for homestay placements with host families in their desired area. 

Why Leyton and Leytonstone? 

There’s nothing more traditionally ‘London’ than the East End, so Leyton and Leytonstone fit the bill nicely for those looking to authentically experience the capital. A diverse community resides here, so students from all over the world can feel at home whilst still enjoying a new place. There’s a real community feel to the neighbourhood, so this combined with its fantastic transport links into central London makes it an attractive place to stay. 

Leyton Sixth Form College is considered the best sports college in London (no surprise given the Olympic facilities down the road!), and with lots of other universities and higher and further education institutions in the wider area, it’s easily commutable for those studying nearby. 

What is there to do in Leyton and Leytonstone? 

Despite it being your home and perhaps you not always being able to see the wood for the trees, there are still things to do in Leyton and Leytonstone that will be of interest to international visitors. These may not seem like much to you, but they’ll be new experiences for your guests – so why not take them along on an evening or weekend? 

Cycle around the Lee Valley VeloPark

Velodrome facilities aren’t easily available everywhere, and the Lee Valley is Olympic standard! Anyone can book in to try out cycling in the velodrome, on the road trails, on mountain bike terrain or along BMX tracks – no experience necessary! 

Ride down the ArcelorMittal Orbit

Another iconic fixture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the tallest sculpture in the UK… with a helter skelter attached! It won the Turner Prize for its art and visitors can enjoy great views across the park and further afield from its viewing platforms before riding the slide back down. Book online for the best prices. 

Shop local at the New Leytonstone Market

Most countries have a market culture, and visiting one somewhere new is always fascinating. The new Leytonstone Market offers entertainment and children’s activities alongside stalls selling street food, upcycled furniture and homewares, clothing, a bar and local business’ products. 

Become a Host Family in Leyton and Leytonstone

If you live in Leyton or Leytonstone with the space to host international students for short-term stays, and fancy earning some extra cash in doing so, get in touch! The HFS London team will guide you through the application process and are always on-hand to offer support and advice through all homestays. Contact us now to discuss getting your property on the homestay register and to take the first step to welcoming guests as soon as possible

Not in Leyton? HFS are also looking for hosts in neighbouring Stratford, Walthamstow, Wanstead and Clapton.

The post Become a Host Family in Leyton, East London appeared first on HFS London.

The books of homestay accommodation agency HFS London are open as the demand for host families increases. HFS London offers homestays to students visiting the UK short-term for study or work placements. Traditionally, these students have been aged 18+. Recently, however, the trend is for the parents of junior students (aged 10-16) to request homestay placements for their children, as a way for them to truly experience local life and foreign travel, as well as immersing them into English to improve their language skills.

HFS London are scouting for host families able to accommodate junior students in several areas of London, including Brockley.

Why Brockley?

London is perceived as a big, bustling city that can be unsafe for lone travellers; and in lots of areas, that’s fair enough. Gentrification has largely shaped the city for residents, and in places there’s little to represent what London used to look like. Brockley, however, has escaped gentrification and remains a traditional residential area that gives a glimpse of the city of old… albeit with some nice coffee shops thrown in! Brockley is considered safe and family-friendly whilst remaining quite central. This makes it a rather popular area for requests of homestays – particularly for junior students.

What is there to do in Brockley?

Junior students tend not to travel alone. They are usually part of a larger study group of overseas students, facilitated by their educational establishment. They will, however, have free time on several evenings and sometimes during weekends across their stay. HFS London don’t propose spending time on costly activities for these, but instead integrating the student in your day-to-day. Give them a taste of British culture! There’s lots to do that will be brand new for your student, even if seems routine to you!

Shop local at Brockley Market

Situated in the car park of Lewisham College (which may well be where your student is studying!), Brockley Market is home to local traders offering seasonal produce as well as a variety of street food. The market stalls operate with cash only, so you can get some maths lessons in with the new currency for your student guest too!

Take a history lesson at the Rivoli Ballroom

One of the UK’s few remaining 1950s ballrooms, the Rivoli is a stunning backdrop for photos, dance lessons and film shoots. Nip by to watch dancers or even to give it a go yourself – the staff are really friendly and more than happy to give impromptu tours of the venue if they have time.

Become a Host Family in Brockley

The process to become a host family for junior student homestays is an easy one and needn’t be lengthy. Anyone living in the Brockley area with a spare (furnished) bedroom who is able to rent out their spare space is able to apply to join the HFS London property portfolio – just contact the team to indicate your interest.

Full training will be given, rent rates negotiated and an extended DBS check carried out, then as soon as you’re ready, your property will be listed for perusal by the families of junior students. Just let HFS London know when you’re on holiday or unavailable, and they’ll remove your home from the listings for those dates. We remain flexible throughout.

Speak to the HFS London team today and start your new year with a new adventure: helping nurture the character and experiences of junior students from all over the world! Feeling confident? Fill out our application form here and our team will be in touch in due course.

The post Become a Host Family for Under 16s – Brockley, South London appeared first on HFS London.

International students visiting the UK for work and study placements are often not as exposed to as many opportunities to develop their English skills as you may think. This is because they spend lots of time around their peers, who are likely to communicate with them in their first language, and hearing just the vocabulary they already know. When staying with a host family as part of a homestay in Britain, these opportunities are widened, and there’s plenty you can do with your student guest to help them out. These are our top suggestions for easy ways to nurture your overseas student’s English skills while they stay with you.

Keep talking!

It’s easy to get on with your chores around the house in silence, caught up in what you’re doing and concentrating. But talking through what you’re doing and being as chatty as possible with your guest whilst you’re together, you can help them develop their language and vocabulary as well as exposing them to colloquialisms (informal slang) that they otherwise probably wouldn’t learn, but are essential for getting by in the UK. It’s this kind of ‘real’ language that takes English speakers through to fluency, and they’ll improve very quickly as a result.

Play games

Games aren’t just for family Christmases! Charades, Guess Who and other such easy family games are great at encouraging people to use language they probably wouldn’t usually… while having fun doing so! Games help foster bonding amongst guests and their homestay host families, too, and you can involve everyone in the family, no matter age.

Watch films and TV

British television is hugely varied and watching it can help your student guest improve their knowledge of slang, new vocabulary and regional accents that they may otherwise not hear while staying in London. Instead, easy viewing chat shows (more The One Show and This Morning, less Jeremy Kyle!) offer good variety at an easy speech level so are accessible and fun. Prime-time documentaries that aren’t too serious (think In The Factory) and light comedy shows (like Gogglebox) also make for easy viewing. Avoid young children’s TV, as this often includes Makaton signs over speech and sometimes abbreviations for infant tongues, and game shows, as they often give little to no context to their question and answers.

Recommend things to watch

You may not always be at home with your student guest, or always have the time to sit in front of the TV or laptop with them, but with so many on-demand options about, there’s plenty for them to choose from even if you’re not around. Some of these services will always be available to your guest when they go back to their home country, so if you have time, write out a list of the programmes you think could be helpful for them. If there are TV programmes linked to the student’s area of study (ie. Holby City for medical students, Grand Designs for architecture students), suggest these. What works for one student may be helpful for others, so keep a note!

HFS London accommodate overseas students with a range of different English language abilities and we really appreciate when host families go the extra mile to help develop and improve their student guest’s language skills. If you find a great way to nurture your student’s English, let us know, and we’ll share it on with other hosts too.

The post How to be a homestay host – Using English with students appeared first on HFS London.

Sitting within three boroughs (Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark), Sydenham is a diverse neighbourhood in South East London that just under 25,000 residents call home. Today, it’s one of the most requested areas for international students to stay in while they visit London; and so here at HFS London, we’re actively scouting for host families in the area.

Offering a more realistic experience of living in the UK than just staying in a dorm with other students, HFS London places overseas students with host families for homestays – living in a real house with a genuine local family. This builds character and life experience and is becoming increasingly popular with junior students aged 11-16; as their parents are keen to immerse them in situations where they’ll learn the English language quicker and more colloquially, as well as to feel safer and more secure as part of a functioning family unit.

HFS London receives lots of requests for homestay accommodation in Sydenham and so if you’re living in the area and have a spare bedroom you could potentially rent out, read on!

Why Sydenham?

Historically, Sydenham has been considered an affluent area, but more importantly – a safe one. The perception of the UK (and, in particular, London) isn’t always positive when it comes to crime rates and personal safety, and as we can all appreciate, when arranging travel for their children, parents prioritise safety first. Sydenham is thought of as a very family-friendly area and a nice and well-presented suburb of the city.

What is there to do in Sydenham?

When families host junior students, it’s encouraged that they involve them in their daily family life; to best experience and shape their time in the UK as typically British, but also to help negate any homesickness by allowing them to feel included and valued as part of the family. In Sydenham, our existing host families recommend all of the following activities to keep your junior student guest/s entertained throughout their stay.

Enjoy dessert at Cherry and Ice

Is there any better treat for a child than a good ice cream? Cherry and Ice is a dessert parlour on Sydenham Road, just around the corner from the station. Their vast menu allows mix and match sweet treat ingredients on waffles and in sundaes, and there’s plenty of caffeine on the menu for adults, too. You can head out at the weekend or in the evening after dinner… but make sure you’ve got plenty of room, as portions aren’t stingy.

Take a step back in time at the Crystal Palace Museum

You’ll need to take the tube to Crystal Palace for this one, but it’s Sydenham related – honest! Situated in the only original remaining part of the building it was, it documents the building’s journey between Hyde Park and Sydenham, where it stayed until it was destroyed by fire in the late 1800s. Tours and materials are available in lots of languages, so your student guest needn’t be fluent in English.

Breath in the fresh air at Sydenham Wells Park

A great outdoor space, the local council are keen that Sydenham Wells Park remains an area for the promotion of health and wellbeing; so it’s full of events and activities year-round that are free for residents and can easily be joined in to without having to pre-book.

Become a Host Family in Sydenham

If your spare room in Sydenham is sitting unused and you could do with some extra income, get in touch with the HFS London team today. Hosting a junior student is extra rewarding and you’ll really shape a child’s character with their experience. To learn more about the application process, call or email.

The post Become a Host Family for under 16s – Sydenham, London appeared first on HFS London.

Staying with a host family during your studies in the UK is a great way to immerse yourself in British family life. You will be absorbing a great deal of English while you go about your daily routine. But of course, everyone is different, and the linguistic anomalies, pronunciation, accents and idiosyncrasies you pick up will vary. One way you can widen your horizons with your English is to meet with someone in a ‘language exchange’, sometimes referred to as a ‘tandem’.

What is a Language Exchange?

Language exchanges are where two people meet to mutually educate each other in one another’s native language through speaking practice. Most commonly, people meet face-to-face in a casual venue such as a coffee shop or library to chat and improve their listening comprehension. In between those meetings, you might have conversations  over text or email to aid writing too.

Language exchanges can also happen on Skype and similar software/apps. So if you’re unable to get out to meet someone, there are still ways to brush up on your skills.

Usually, informal language exchanges are used to complement a formal English language education rather than to replace it. Think of it is as an add-on. This ensures that even when slang and super casual language are picked up, the speaker still has a knowledge of the academically-correct vocabulary, spelling and grammar.

How to Find a Language Exchange

Finding a language exchange is easily done online, but we recommend looking for something local. Traveling a short distance will help you commit to the meetings and traveling won’t take much out of your day. Ask your host family of any local interest groups on sites such as Facebook, or speak with the HFS London team for advice. Remember to always meet in a public place and ensure your host family know where you are.  There are a variety of options available with a quick google search such as this one. It is worth doing a bit of research into finding the ideal one for you.

Text and email language exchanges can also be found if you prefer doing it from home.  Be careful with giving out your personal phone number and address. If you’re not comfortable meeting later on for face-to-face language exchanges, don’t.

The Benefits of a Language Exchange

Of course, language exchanges are mutual and so you must be prepared to speak in your native tongue too. Don’t look at this as time-wasting, though – it’s a great way to contribute directly to the community you’re living within. The people you are meeting with are likely in a very similar position to you. They will appreciate your help and it will give you a break from English!

Whilst of course you’ll learn lots from the host family you stay with, it’s not always practical to ask them lots of questions. Our host families are keen to help, but not all of them will discuss the finer points of linguistics. A language exchange has time set aside specifically for this. You can ask everything you need to and make sure you’re as clear as possible on everything you need to be.

Learning and improving your English through a language exchange in an informal environment takes away any pressure to get everything right. It can make studying much more fun and doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck in a classroom. It also encourages the nurture of colloquialisms and slang terms that wouldn’t be learnt through more formal language study methods.

As you’re already studying, there’s no doubt your schedule is busy. However, taking part in a language exchange can really help boost your motivation levels. You’re responsible for teaching someone else and improving your own skills in doing so. So be sure to note down the exchange on your CV or resume, as there’s lots of transferable skills, as well as your language ones, that will impress schools and employers!

Try a homestay 

There really is no better place to learn and improve your English skills than in the capital of England itself. HFS London has hundreds of native-English speaking host families on their books offering homestays to international students from anywhere in the world. Your adventure can begin in an environment that encourages and nurtures learning from all angles – book a homestay with us today!

The post Improve Your English via Language Exchange Meet Ups and Tandem appeared first on HFS London.

You don’t need to speak perfect English to study in the UK or to stay with a host family through HFS London. However, it always helps to brush up on your skills. London is an expensive city to live in, and you may already find that you’ve budgeted out your available funds as much as you can. But rest assured, there are lots of ways of receiving free English lessons – so read on for info on how, and get to work!

Oxford International Teacher Training

This school actually teaches teachers primarily, rather than students! Oxford International Teacher Training trains up the highest quality TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teachers. This means free lessons delivered by those still in training. These trainees are by no means beginners though with teachers at pre-intermediate, intermediate and upper-intermediate levels.  As such, you know that you’re receiving top quality lessons from qualified mentors.

The lessons offered through Oxford International Teacher Training are free and take place in Greenwich, London. The credibility and prestige of English classes studied through this school are high enough that there is a waiting list – so it’s worth signing up on their website to register your interest even before you travel to London.

British Study Centres: School of English

Hampstead-based with other locations around the UK, British Study Centres offer free English lessons delivered by teachers-in-training. Each class is observed by a fully qualified assessor to ensure standards are high and all information given is correct. The teachers are usually studying toward their CELTA (the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). In many cases they are already qualified teachers in other subjects, and sometimes, elsewhere in the world. English classes come in courses rather than individual lessons, so you can rest assured that you’ll receive a really well-rounded English education rather than anything piecemeal.

Free English courses with British Study Centres are only available to those over 18 for now. There may also be a small joining fee may be payable to register as a member of the Centre.

ih – International House London

International House London offer a whole host of low-cost English lessons to international students. Classes are entirely free for refugees, those seeking asylum, or anyone over the age of 65. These are the cheapest English lessons offered by a formal educational facility that we could find in London. That’s not to say that the quality is poor: there’s plenty of good reviews online!

Courses last four weeks and include vocabulary and grammar study as well as conversation speaking practice with the teacher and other students. There’s a four-hour a week commitment, split into two two-hour lessons. These can be either two evenings a week or two afternoons a week. There are various level-based classes available and if you’re unsure of your existing English capability, there’s an online test on the International House London website to help advise you.

Staying with a British Host Family!

Of course, one way to improve your English for free is to thoroughly immerse yourself in the world of English language speaking. We believe that staying with a host family during your stay in London works wonders to do just that! The English phrase is “being thrown in at the deep end”. It may seem daunting but it’s truly the best way to pick up on vocabulary and colloquialisms.

HFS London scouts only friendly and personable host families who are patient and have experience in dealing with those who don’t speak English as their mother tongue. If you’re unsure of any words or phrases used just ask. Don’t be afraid to spend some time talking, writing and listening with your host family when you’re not studying. A classroom education will only get you so far –  living with native English speakers can give you a real advantage.

No matter how advanced or technical your English speaking is, there’s always more to learn as language evolves and changes. Unless you live in the UK and speak it at least part time, it’s likely you’ll lose a grasp of street slang and current phraseology and vocabulary. Learning a language is a continuous process rather than a one-off study, and a true linguist understands this. Strive to continually improve your skills in and outside of class. It’s only a matter of time before you’re speaking like the queen!

The post How to Find Free English Lessons for students in London appeared first on HFS London.

Moving to the UK to study, even for just a short while, is a big adventure! It’s exciting, but for many it’s the furthest they’ve ever travelled. The pressure of having to study whilst living in a new city presents challenges that you won’t find on a normal holiday.

It’s only natural that being a long way from home can feel daunting. It is common that international students may experience a degree of stress during their tenure in the UK. For those living in a homestay with HFS London, there’s lots of support available – and we’re always here to help.

What are the Main Causes of Stress for International Students?

Everyone reacts differently to different situations, but feeling low during a prolonged stay abroad is normal. International students have a lot on, so there’s many things that can cause stress and other mental health issues for them. Anxiety, loneliness and stress can be caused by a few factors:

• The language barrier
• Cultural differences and understanding
• Financial concerns
• Exam and study pressure

You’re not alone though with 85% of Brits experiencing regular stress in 2018. As an international student, balancing life in a new country with studying can be difficult (but not impossible!). If any of the above are making you feel out of sorts, then there’s a lot you can do.

A recent study by Campus Living Villages found that 36% of international students studying in the UK suffer from mental health concerns that either begin or continue through their study trips. However, 39% of UK-domiciled students report the same. International students are shown to be more likely to know where to seek help when they need it, which is positive. You should feel the same after reading this guide!

How is Mental Health looked after in the UK?

Great Britain’s healthcare, known as the NHS (National Health Service) is universal and free at point-of-entry for residents. This includes mental health and well-being.

The UK has a broadly positive attitude toward mental health and there is lots of support amongst the population for improved service availability. The NHS is very much seen as a national treasure. As a result, any governmental decision involving change is faced with criticism and opposition. Should citizens wish to pay, they can access private healthcare services.

Not all cultures have such open attitudes toward mental health. Although it may come as a bit of a shock to students from elsewhere, you should try to embrace it! There’s a lot to be gained from talking and remaining open and honest.

What can you do as an international student?

Most international students won’t have free access to mental health support on the NHS, but there are private healthcare packages and insurance options available. However, before you hit the point where you feel you need treatment for mental health issues, there are a few things you can consider:

1. Getting Support from Universities and Colleges

Many Universities have implemented support frameworks for their students (both domestic and international) and it is commonplace for study centres to have peer-led programs that are culturally sensitive. You may find, however, that these are only available in English – so enquire with your course leader or peer support worker to get more information.

If you are feeling low or anxious during your study stay, the first step in seeking help is to speak to your main contact at university or college. If your worries are centered particularly around your workload, professional placements or finances, your study centre may be able to help you to prioritise and juggle your responsibilities to help ease the pressure.

2. Is there anything I can do to help myself with mental health issues? 

Having an awareness of your own well-being is important so if you realise that you’re not feeling your usual self, be kind to yourself. Indulge in your favourite hobby, take some time for yourself and work out practical resolutions to tangible issues you face. Can you re-work your revision schedule? Would taking some additional English classes help solve any language barriers? Are you able to take your books outside for a sunny study session al fresco to boost your Vitamin D and get some fresh air? Even if you’re just able to change one thing about your schedule or take 10 minutes to gather your thoughts, the benefits could be vast. Perhaps you could consider organising your time with an app?

3. Can HFS London Help with International Student’s Mental Health Concerns?

HFS London are not qualified mental health professionals and so can’t offer medical advice. However, our team can help point you in the right direction for help and you should let us know at the first possible opportunity if you’re struggling. We can also speak to your host family if you’d like us to and ensure they understand how you’re feeling, too.

HFS London will do everything possible to help you feel happy and secure during your homestay. Even if you’re just feeling a little low and don’t yet have concerns for your broader mental health, don’t wait – speak to someone as early as possible to ensure you can be best looked after and help look after yourself!

The post Mental Health Guidance for International Students in the UK appeared first on HFS London.

London Housing Options

Finding the right place to live in London is a big part of your experience, and a big part of settling in and finding your feet. You’ll want to make sure you feel comfortable and secure wherever you decide to live, and you’ll want to make sure you’re happy there and feel confident in your choice of accommodation.  

There are many different ways you can find and secure housing in London as a student, and we’ll talk through the options here. As always, if you have any questions, we’d love to help.

Homestays for International Students

If you choose to find accommodation through HFS London, you’ll be living in a homestay. A homestay is where you rent a room in someone’s house (usually the landlord or lives in the house too) and you live with them during your time in the city. It might be a family (with kids) or it may be a couple or just a single person. Whatever the combination, it’s known as a ‘host family’ and we always work hard to make students and host families are matched well. It can really help you make the most of your student life.

To begin the process of looking for a homestay, you’ll want to fill out an application on our website, this will include giving us a few details about who you are, what you’re looking for, which school / university you’ll be studying at, etc. From there we will send you your matches, and you can go on to find your perfect homestay option.

Homestay is a great idea because it gives you a little more security and ‘belonging’ than most accommodation options in the city. It can be hard adjusting to a new routine in a new city, and our host families for international students are wonderful at creating a home-from-home environment for students from all over the world. You’ll make friends, be more involved in local culture, and even get to explore new areas and explore a different London borough.

Online search portals

Another option for finding student accommodation is using online search portals. London has lots of online housing searches, where you can input your requirements and view the results. You’ll find with these options that you’ll want to be in the city to view and secure the placement as it’s always a good idea to view a place before signing, especially if accommodation is not vetted or checked.

If you’re studying at a university in London, you can also contact them to see if they can help. Many London universities now have their own online search portals where their international students can log in, create an account, search the accommodation listings and then arrange to view. These portals are just for students, so you will need to be a student currently enrolled at one of London’s universities to get access. They are not usually available to international students at language schools.

University accommodation portals will usually list Halls of Residence accommodation (mostly long term) but some list student house shares as well. Landlords advertising on university search portals will have to meet certain criteria before they are approved to list their accommodation. This usually means that overseas students will have access to a better standard of student accommodation via these portals than online portals that are open to everyone.  

Student facebook groups

Many people find accommodation through student Facebook groups or other social media groups. If your school or university has a Facebook community, there may be private groups you can join where fellow students and ex-student post new rooms coming up for rent, or spare rooms coming up for rent. These communities are also great for networking too!

Choosing to study abroad with international education is always daunting. However, by choosing Homestay with HFS London, you can rest assured that your accommodation will have everything you need, leaving you to focus on your education and enjoying London-life.  

The post As an International Student, how do you Find a Place to Live in London? appeared first on HFS London.