Jenny Weedon in the Shooting Times - January 2006

nese person who may not know what Christmas is. It's not usual to answer lots of questions about British customs, while showing a guest around your locality, nor to be given insights into other parts of the world while teaching, say, an Indian person to make mince pies. It's pretty rare to contribute to international goodwill and understanding just by opening up your home to an adult international student on a short break from studies at a UK college.

If you are unusual enough to be interested in this idea, HOST would love to hear from you. HOST is a national organisation, backed by the British Council and many universities, which matches students with volunteer hosts for very short visits.

Please see www.hostuk.org, or call our volunteer regional organiser Trina Golland on 01 707 642091 or richard.golland@vigin.net