Inverness is about to experience a mini invasion as 20 mature Spanish students will be moving to the city to spend this summer to complete an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course at Inverness College UHI.
And all of them will be looking for somewhere to stay. Laura Hillyard, international development coordinator at the college, is now on the hunt for local families looking to earn some extra cash by providing temporary accommodation for the overseas students.
Single rooms with study facilities are required between July 4 and August 1 and host families can choose to accommodate students for any length of time, with accommodation being paid at £80 per person per week for room only.
Laura, 27, and originally from Nova Scotia in Canada, said: “Having
been an international student myself when I completed my Masters at the University of Edinburgh, I know how exciting it
can be to experience student life in a foreign country.
“However, I also understand that it can be a daunting prospect, especially when making arrangements for finance, travel and accommodation.
“Providing international students with a place to stay through the host family scheme is a great way to help them settle into student life in Inverness. It is also a great opportunity for them to learn about Highland culture, practice their language skills and get to know the local area.
“We’ve had some excellent feedback from host families, and many have enjoyed the chance to get to know people from different places just as much as the opportunity to earn some extra money for their spare room.”
Those interested in opening the doors of their home to welcome in a student can contact Laura on 01463 273 000.
