Homestays are way better than staying alone in a hotel room!

Tell us about your homestay experience.

What I enjoyed during my stay was the possibility to meet new people, not only local people who shared with me their stories of life, and told me what it is to live in the UK, but also international students around my age.

Homestays are way better than staying alone in a hotel room, in order to truly be immersed in the local life !

I enjoyed being gathered every night together for dinner, sharing our days, but most importantly our experiences, different, from our countries of origins, but also because of our journeys.

What led us to these moments was different and so enriching.
I feel like I made the most of my trip.

What did you do in Manchester?

As a football fan, I went of course to visit Old Trafford Stadium, the Theatre of Dreams, the venue home to Manchester United, the guide Alan, 85, was passionate about his club, and wanted to share it. That passion was palpable and made the tour thrilling.

I’ve visited the Museum of Football, the John Ryland’s Library, but the place that surprised me the most was the People’s History museum, that tells the history of democracy in the UK, with an interesting exhibition showing different points of views regarding racism.

I also loved the unique Castlefield, an old district, showing the industrialisation past of the city, across canals and red bricks.

Around Manchester, I’ve spent a day in Liverpool, and another one in Knutsford, a picturesque village and its beautiful Tatton Park, absolutely magnificent in Wintertime.

Any tips or advice for other travellers?

If you want to witness a sunset with a view of all Manchester, go to Cloud 23, a cafe on top of one of Manchester’s highest towers. Great pictures !

If I would recommend only one museum, it would be the People’s History museum, very interesting for everyone.

I suggest spending a day out of Manchester, there are many nice places to see, such as Liverpool and Knutsford.

How was your experience with your host?

I was staying with Caroline and Franz, two very nice British people, who shared with me a lot, through their life stories, experiences of life, and local life in Manchester.

English is not my first language, and as a language and travelling passionate, to be able to talk with local people, catch new words and expressions to add to my vocabulary, and having such discussions in another language was a great experience.