Single mother-of-four praised for welcoming international students

Wednesday 15 November 2023

A single mother-of-four who opened her family home to students coming to the island to learn English has been named as 'Host of the Year' for "going above and beyond" and taking it "all in her stride".

Rachel Genee first started hosting St Brelade's College students last year and has been “nonstop since”.

She welcomed multiple students aged between 11 to 17 into her home alongside her own four children – sometimes looking after up to eight children at once!

Rachel has also been able to help the college out with last-minute placements. 

St Brelade's College awarded her the 'Host of the Year' title for her "extra efforts", saying that Rachel has "gone above and beyond" to support students and has "dealt with various student matters in a practical and helpful way".

Rachel explained that she enjoys “having a full house” and meeting with young people from “around the world".

She said that she finds it interesting to learn more about them and their families.

Pictured: The visiting students attend English lessons in the mornings, visit Jersey’s sights or take part in activities in the afternoon, and spend time with their host families in the evening to fully immerse themselves in island life.

Rachel added: “I have loved to see my own children welcoming the students, making friends with them and inviting them to play football and other games. Some still keep in touch with us now.

"My daughter always gets excited when she knows we are having female students to stay, having three brothers!

"My eldest son went to town for the first time without an adult with one of our older students on the bus which gave him so much confidence and independence."

Pictured: As well as having fun, the visiting students also use their time in Jersey to improve their English.

The mother-of-four decided to host students when the college advertised on Facebook last year due to difficulties in recruiting local hosts at the time.

Rachel explained: “At the time I was thinking of taking on a second job to make some extra money; being a single mother I was working month to month.

"Hosting students meant I could stay at home with my family rather than looking for evening or weekend work.”

Although St Brelade's College has faced challenges in recent years as a result of the impact of the pandemic and Brexit, as well as staff shortages and a lack of host families, they are now bouncing back with a "wonderful group of hosts".