Taking Students

Hi Jules,

I got a first opinion- from the 'con' side.

They are a Maltese couple and had hosted students for 10 years until last year. At the beginning it was ok and the 5 LM the school pays per kid and day worked out. You sign up with a school and can take a maximum of 4 students.

But the school was still paying the same 5 LM last years and it didn't work out moneywise anymore. The costs were much higher. The schools charge the students around 20 €/day and pass on about 12 € to the host family.

The students have become very badly behaved and the school passes the responsibility on to the host family including disciplinary action when they don't get back until in the early hours. Many had drinking and drug problems and were causing damage to the house,leaving lights on all the time and generally being a hassle.

You have to supply the necessary meals on the tight budget including electricity and heating in the winter months.

They were also not sure if non-Maltese families qualify to host students as the students are supposed to get to see Maltese family life and culture during their stay. So you should look into that.

I'll try and get a second opinion from someone I know who is still hosting students.

Cheers
Ricky