International Summer Language School – reviews by host families

Our pupils join in with the visiting students for afternoon activities

International Summer Language School 2012 – a review

“For the last two summers, we have hosted 3 children from the Summer School. Together with our own four children and the occasional friend, we had a full house (but you don’t have to have as many…).

It has been an absolutely wonderful experience! Lots of laughs trying each other’s languages and lots of talk about different foods and habits (especially with the Italians).  The Brazilians were a lively lot and brought their sense of dance and music. Each culture is different and Summer School is a great way for your children to experience this and it is very likely they will end up with a friend.

The balance of the Summer School children being at school and on day trips, and them having evenings and a Sunday at home worked well for us. It meant we could have family time as well as enjoy the company of a bunch of wonderful young people.

I would like to recommend it to all of you as a great experience, and also as a relatively easy way to help our school with raising necessary funds.”

by Gerianke Wilmar

Another parent says:

After much apprehension and cajoling from the team organizing the Summer School, I was eventually persuaded to take a student. I agreed to have a guest for two weeks only. However, our lovely Brazilian boy ended up staying with us for over three weeks and I would have quite happily ‘adopted’ him for longer! Our experience was, in the end, completely positive and rewarding. He was a joy to have as part of our family and we all benefitted from having him around.

It was also great fun to be able to join in the activities organized by the School including storytelling around the fire and a lovely trip to Lulworth Cove. We learnt a lot from our visitor and from the other students we met during the Summer School.

I was definitely one of the most difficult parents to convince to have a student but I am so glad I was persuaded. I would happily do it again and would say to anyone who is feeling a little wary to take the plunge.

Sam Dennis

and another:

International Summer Language School 2012  – looking forward to the Summer School 2013!

This was our second year of hosting for the International Summer School and once again we really enjoyed it – sharing our culture and learning from our guests.  It was a lot of fun.

Last year we hosted two students, both 12 year olds, and both stayed with us for two weeks.

We had Urko, from the Basque country, in our spare room, and Adrien from France sharing our son’s room. Having set a few simple house rules both boys settled in very quickly.

Each weekday morning I would drop them into school for the main lessons and then collect mid afternoon or evening depending on the School activity programme.

On some occasions, our whole family joined in the summer school evening programme such as the excellent storytelling or BBQ; at other times we spent at home playing games, snooker or chatting, or we visited local attractions like the beach or cycling in Moors Valley. 

 One of the things we particularly enjoy is the buzz around the school with so many young language students at a time when previously the school would have been closed for holidays. 

I think our own children also liked the experience. Host families are welcome to join in many of the evening events. This year, we had a great mix of French, Spanish, Italians and others and it’s always good to meet such a buzzing group.

This year we have the Brazilians coming back.

Unfortunately, all too soon the fortnight was up and sadly we had to say goodbye to our two students. Overall, it was a great experience and we’re looking forward to doing it again in 2013. 

If you’re able to make some time during the summer holidays I thoroughly recommend this opportunity – it certainly helped make a great summer for our family.

Malcolm, Claudia and Luca (Class 7)