AdvicetoStudents2014.doc

Advice to Students 2014What To Do, What Not To Do And What To ExpectYour homestay will give you a chance to experience a British way of life and to use your spoken English. It is also a chance for your hosts to learn more about your country and culture. You will be treated as a member of the household and eat most breakfast and evening meals with your host, as well as being welcome to share the sitting room and to watch television. This means that your accommodation is like a home rather than a hotel or a students residence.YOUR ROOM: Your host will provide you with a bedroom, a bed, a chair, a desk or table to work at and adequate heating and lighting. Your desk or table could be located somewhere other than your room. There will be somewhere for you to hang your clothes, either in your room or in a convenient place nearby. If you have any problem with the temperature in your room please discuss this with your host. Please note that the rooms are generally not heated during the night. It is the normal custom for the host to expect you to pay for any household equipment or furnishings which you break or damage.LAUNDRY: Your host will provide clean bed linen and towels once a week and will discuss personal laundry arrangements with you on your arrival. It is important that you do not use the hosts washing machine or make any attempt to launder your own clothes without first asking permission. Damage has been caused in the past by students washing clothes in the bathroom and drying them in wardrobes or over radiators please do not do this! Your host will provide you with ironing facilities.CLEANING: Please keep your room tidy so that it is possible for your host to clean it once a week.THE BATHROOM: It is our custom to bath or shower once a day: your host will discuss with you when it is convenient for you to use these facilities. Towels are provided but you should bring your own toiletries with you. When using the toilet please note that toilet paper is flushable, but all other sanitary items should be wrapped and placed in a bin. Please respect your host by keeping the bathroom clean and tidy, as you found it.MEALS: Your host will provide breakfast and an evening meal seven days a week and a light lunch or packed lunch at weekends. If you have told us about any allergies or special dietary requirements we will already have notified your host but please discuss with them any personal likes and dislikes. Your host will tell you what time meals will be served; evening meal times can vary from home to home according to habits and family demands and it is not unusual for dinner to be served as early as 6.00pm. It is expected that you fit in with your hosts routine whenever possible and we ask you to consider your host in respect of Social Programme activities and trips - if you do not require a meal or need a meal earlier or later than their regular time please give hosts as much notice as possible. Please ask permission before using the fridge or the kitchen; you should be able to make yourself a hot drink, for example, tea or coffee.PETS: Many British homes have pets and it is quite normal for them to eat, sleep and live indoors.USING THE TELEPHONE: Please seek permission before using your hosts telephone. If permission is refused, ask them where the nearest telephone box is. If your host does not mind you receiving or making calls, you must ask them each time you wish to use their telephone. Even local calls are expensive in England and you will be expected to pay for all of your calls. Phone cards are available from NILE.INTERNET: Not all our hosts have internet access or computers (or be happy for you to use their computer). Free internet access is available at NILE city and university centres or in the Forum Library in Norwich city centre.VISITORS: Get permission from your host every time before you invite friends to visit.TRANSPORT: Your host is not expected to collect you or to provide transport to and from the Course Centre or social programme events. Hosts will live within walking distance of the school venue or be close to a bus route. Norwich Institute for Language Education Norwich Institute for Language Educationn Norwich Institute for Language Education Norwich Institute for Language Education Norwich Institute for Language EducationILLNESS: If you are ill at home, tell your host and ask your host to inform the school. If you are taken ill at school you should immediately tell your Course Tutor or a member of the student services team. There is a walk in health service open 0700 hrs 2100 hrs, 7 days a week at the Timberhill Health Centre, Level 4, The Castle Mall, Norwich.CANCELLATION: If you cancel your accommodation before arrival at NILE, or change your accommodation once here, you must give at least one weeks notice or pay one weeks rent in lieu.EMERGENCIES: If you need to contact the Police, Ambulance or Fire Services in an emergency, the telephone number is 999. British police have a reputation for giving friendly help and advice over all kinds of difficulties if you have a problem dont hesitate to ask them for help. If you have another emergency you can call the NILE emergency telephone: +44 (0)7889 649768PROBLEMS/COMPLAINTS/REQUESTS: you should first of all discuss them with your host who will do their best to help. If you feel you cannot discuss matters with your host, please come and talk to