Can I Become a Host Family? What you Need (and Do not Need) to Get Started
Small personal details can help a student feel instantly more at home in their new space.
A realistic Guide to Welcoming International Students Into your Home
So, you are curious about becoming a host family in Ireland. Maybe a friend recommended it, or perhaps you are just one of those wonderfully open-minded people who enjoy meeting others from different cultures—and wouldn’t mind a bit of help covering rising grocery bills. Whatever brought you here, you might be wondering: Could I actually do this?
The answer is yes—for more people than you might think.
This blog post breaks down what is required, what is not, and what truly makes a difference when hosting students in your home. Spoiler alert: you do not need a castle, a fancy breakfast menu, or perfect Wi-Fi coverage in the shed.
You do not need a perfect home
Let us start with a myth-buster: hosting students is not about impressing them. It is about offering a clean, safe, and welcoming space where they can sleep, eat, study, and feel at home.
You will need to provide:
A private bedroom with a bed, wardrobe or drawers, and space to study (twin rooms are fine when students are from the same group and of the same gender)
Access to a bathroom (shared or private)
Breakfast and dinner (for half-board students)
A welcoming and respectful atmosphere
Your house does not have to be spotless or magazine-worthy—just real, respectful, and reasonably tidy.
You do need to enjoy meeting new people
You do not need to be an extrovert. You do not need to throw themed dinner parties. But you should be interested in cultural exchange and open to making a young person from abroad feel included in your household.
Most students come from countries like Germany, France, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Nordic countries. They are usually aged 17 to 25 and are here to learn English, complete a short work placement, and experience Irish life.
You do not need to entertain them 24/7
Hosting is not the same as parenting or tour guiding. Students are encouraged to be independent—they go to English lessons, attend their work placements, and explore Dublin on their own or with friends.
What they need from you is:
A calm and friendly home base
A bit of support in the first few days
Occasional help with things like public transport or local tips
Someone who will notice if something feels off
You do need to pass a simple home check
Before you can start hosting, your home will be visited for a quick assessment to ensure it is safe and suitable. This is not an inspection of your décor—it is a relaxed check for practical things like fire safety, cleanliness, and adequate facilities.
You will also be asked to complete Garda vetting and basic paperwork.
You do not need to host all year round
Many programmes are short-term—ranging from 2 to 4 weeks—making it ideal for people who want to host occasionally, seasonally, or when it suits their schedule. You can always take breaks, and you are never expected to host continuously unless you want to.
You do need to communicate clearly
Whether it is about Wi-Fi passwords, shower times, or whether it is OK to microwave spaghetti at midnight, clear and friendly communication is key. Hosting works best when students know what is expected—and when hosts feel comfortable expressing their own preferences too.
You do not need to figure it all out alone
You are not alone in this. If something feels unclear or if a question pops up along the way, that is what we are here for. Our team supports host families from day one, and we are always available to help with everything from placement details to what to cook for dinner.
If you are curious about hosting, check out our other blog posts or sign up to become a host family. We would love to hear from you!
