Decide what type of host you want to be. In Ireland, you can host a foreign exchange student for as short a time as one week, or up to one year. Decide on how much time you have to invest, as your student will need help adjusting and chances to go sightseeing. A popular reason for exchange students to go to Ireland is to learn English. Ireland has many English language schools that are particularly busy during the summer months. Students visiting English language schools in Ireland only stay for a week or two. This may interest you, as you can host a number of different students during the summer holidays.
Research your hosting options. Many places in Ireland look for families to host foreign exchange students, each with specific qualities required of the host. For example, Language Travel Ireland requires its hosts to give one on one English tuition and have a university degree. Irish Eduction Partners states that hosts need to provide a single bedroom with a desk, bed, weekly linen changes and laundry. Irish Eduction Partners provides hosts with emergency contacts and a liaison, in case you run into problems. Organizing your own foreign exchange student is another option. A popular website for this type of hosting is Homestaybooking.com. Hosts can create a free profile detailing their homes and interests and search for potential guests.
Prepare yourself for the responsibilities of hosting an exchange student. Being a host family in Ireland requires dedication on your part. Besides welcoming the student into your home, you will need to provide her with meals, look after her if shes get sick, provide transportation and help her integrate into school and culture. Also, consider the costs. If you host a foreign exchange student, the funds are provided to cover the necessary home comforts of your student. Find out what you can expect to receive, and ensure that it enough to keep costs affordable.
Submit your application. When you have chosen the establishments that organize the type of foreign exchange students you would like to host, fill in the required application forms. The forms will ask you questions about your house, family, occupation, access to transportation and student preferences. Take this step seriously, as these forms will enable you to find the best match between host family and exchange student. Also prepare for a home visit, which is a requirement for being approved as a host family.
Accept your student. When approved to host a foreign exchange student in Ireland, you will receive a profile telling you about your prospective student. This profile is selected based on what you have to offer and what the student wants. You do have the right to say that you feel the student won't fit well into your family and request another profile. When you have accepted your student, contact him directly, provide some more information about your family and include photos. This will get things started of nicely, easing the student's anxiety about staying with your family and providing her parents with the same peace of mind.
Meet your student. In many cases the company organizing the foreign exchange will ensure that the student reaches your home. However, you can request to meet your student at the airport if you want, a good way to to make the student feel welcome. It is a good idea to have dinner with the student because it's a fine way to get to know each other and for the student to ask questions about his new surroundings. Keep in mind that this may be the first time your student has been away from home, so making him feel welcome will improve the experience for everyone involved.