Being a guardian for an overseas student
Discussion
A friend who emigrated some years ago, has a son who is coming to the UK to study for 'A' levels, with the intention of going to a British university afterwards.
A requirement from the college is to have a guardian; that is someone in the UK with whom he can stay during shorter holidays and if he has to be away from the college due to illness or whatever.
My ex-wife took on this role for some students at a nearby a few years ago, so I wasn't overly concerned about offering to do the same for my friend's son. Having now read my friend's son's chosen college's notes on guardianship, it infers that one must put virtually one's life on hold waiting for the call that may never come, ready to dash to the college at a moment's notice.
Has anyone else here been a guardian to an overseas student, and how much of a disruption was it for you? For example, were you able to nominate friends or relatives to take over the role if you wanted to go away for a week or two?
A requirement from the college is to have a guardian; that is someone in the UK with whom he can stay during shorter holidays and if he has to be away from the college due to illness or whatever.
My ex-wife took on this role for some students at a nearby a few years ago, so I wasn't overly concerned about offering to do the same for my friend's son. Having now read my friend's son's chosen college's notes on guardianship, it infers that one must put virtually one's life on hold waiting for the call that may never come, ready to dash to the college at a moment's notice.
Has anyone else here been a guardian to an overseas student, and how much of a disruption was it for you? For example, were you able to nominate friends or relatives to take over the role if you wanted to go away for a week or two?
Indeed. The college just don't want to ring the guardian up in term time to be told 'not my problem until the holidays'.
Worse case, give the student a key to the house (or details of someone with the key) so they have somewhere to go if the university burns down.
Their parent(s) can always get the next flight over if it is a matter life and/or death.
(My sister-in-law hosts a couple of Chinese girls from the local private school during half-terms (it is quite lucrative)- but she's a teacher (elsewhere) so would be working during term times and not away on holiday).
Worse case, give the student a key to the house (or details of someone with the key) so they have somewhere to go if the university burns down.
Their parent(s) can always get the next flight over if it is a matter life and/or death.
(My sister-in-law hosts a couple of Chinese girls from the local private school during half-terms (it is quite lucrative)- but she's a teacher (elsewhere) so would be working during term times and not away on holiday).
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