It takes a few vital parts to make the puzzle

Inviting a person to stay in your home either young, old, native or foreign may never run as smooth as we might think looking from the outside, in fact it’s not until we venture down that road that we can fully appreciate or grasp what’s involved be it good, bad or indifferent there is no way of knowing until we are immersed in the process.

So, what makes it work? Sadly, there is no straight forward answers, but somethings are for sure; an open mind is critical, our reasons are vital and a level of understanding is paramount; because without these, the bare minimum components it might well be a frustrating experience for everybody and that’s not what anybody wants.

• An open mind is critical; always a great asset to have in any situation where differences in personality, whims, emotions and culture can come to the surface in sometimes the most irrational way, and must be dealt with ‘An open mind’ not always easy, but almost always necessary.  
• Our reasons are vital; Is it to help provide a fellow human with a fulfilling life experience, maybe it’s a little extra company for the kids while on their summer holidays or it might help them learn or improve their Spanish or maybe it’s a financial decision? We all probably have different and personal reason, we probably never really analysed it that much, but one thing is for our sure; our reason for hosting are vital and without a good one, it may well be a disaster before the student even arrives.
• Understanding is paramount; We all like to be understood, and I don’t mean just linguistically. Patience and understanding of another person’s mannerisms, habits and ways can be at times be tiresome and hard to comprehend, but maybe with effort and thought we can understand theirs and then just maybe; they might understand ours.         

Human nature can offer so much if given the right opportunity, right environment and encouragement, so when we have a young person in our care it can be indeed an opportunity to make a positive difference to influence and enhance their and our lives; these I beleive are just a few small but vital parts that help us make the puzzle!

Thanks for reading, Peter

Hosting a student with Leir is not difficult, however like most things concerning children or minors there is a criteria to be met.

What’s involved once your guest has arrived couldn’t be easier…. Simply, treat him or her as you would treat and care for your own children. Your guest has chosen to stay with an Irish family in a natural family environment to gain full benefit of the experience, to take part in a normal daily routine. The majority want to spend lots of time with their Irish family, especially your children. Depending on the programme you guest has chosen will of course involve a level of commitment from you and your family.

For the purpose of this example we have outlined some particulars which might be of interest.

School summer programme:

• Programme duration is normally three weeks.
• Your guest will be part of a school group and we would always try to have them in the same locality e.g. same estate or within walking distance to each other.
• He or she will be attending our English classes, held in our summer school. 
• You would normally be required to bring your student to and from school. (In estates or similar, car-pooling is always a great idea)
• Give your guest a packed lunch for school and trips.
• You would normally be required to bring your student to and from our prearranged meeting points for excursions or trips. Again car-pooling is always a great idea.

Total Immersion summer programme:

• Programme duration is normally three weeks, sometime maybe four.
• Your guest will be an individual or maybe traveling with other friends from the same area or town.
• He or she will not be attending our school or English classes, they will however attend selected local ‘Summer Camps’
• You would normally be required to bring your guest to and from summer camp. Again car-pooling is always a good idea.
• Give your guest a packed lunch for camp and trips.
• You would normally be required to bring your student to and from our prearranged meeting points for excursions or trips. Again car-pooling is always a great idea.

School term academic programs:

• Your guest would attend a local preapproved school or collage
• Programme duration is per school term, or annual
• Your guest will be an individual and may have friends here from the same area or town.
• You would normally be required to bring your guest to and from school or by another method as agreed, for example school bus
• Give your guest a packed lunch etc.
• You’re guest may or may not be attending our extra classes.

The above is only a short general introduction, so much more is contained within our 'members area’ and our ‘Leir host family guideline booklet’