At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect international students with host families and ensure a memorable homestay experience.
- Company: EF Education First is a global leader in education, fostering cultural exchange and language learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy a multicultural environment, career growth opportunities, and access to language learning resources.
- Why this job: Make meaningful connections while working in a vibrant, diverse community passionate about education.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills, flexibility, and a positive attitude are essential; experience with Microsoft Office is a plus.
- Other info: Live-in position available with accommodation and board provided; must pass background checks.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
EF Education First is seeking a passionate Homestay Coordinator to connect international students with welcoming host families in the Oxford area. In this role, you’ll play a key part in fostering cultural exchange, ensuring a seamless and memorable homestay experience for our students.
Your Role
EF Oxford Summer School has an exciting opportunity to join our Homestay Team, ensuring our international students are well cared for and that a safe and comfortable living environment is provided by our wide range of homestay providers and host families at all times. This is an ideal role for anyone who is passionate about customer service, working with international students and with a strong ability to work independently and take ownership of situations. Roles run from June/July – August 2025 on a full-time, fixed term basis, with potential for permanent employment post summer.
Responsibilities
- Processing & maintaining homestay accommodation records using the EF’s own accommodation database
- Assigning accommodation to students using internal allocation system and keeping accurate records of rooming allocations
- Ownership of the Summer School (based at Oxford Brookes University) homestay programme during peak season from June until August
- Closing complaints in a timely manner either from students or their hosts and escalating to Homestay Manager where appropriate
- Preparing verbal and written information (mainly via phone call/text/email) to be given to prospective and current hosts, ensuring it is kept up to date
- Providing pre-departure accommodation information to hosts about arriving students
- Reporting to Homestay Manager to ensure there are sufficient homestay beds to accommodate the peak season and helping out with recruitment of new hosts where necessary
- Ensuring student details are provided accurately each week for arriving and departing students
- Provide a high level of customer service to our students and hosts
- Support students and host families with move and transfer requests when necessary
- Strive to improve the quality of our homestay provision
- Shares emergency phone duty on a rota basis
Requirements
- Given the on call nature of the position, a flexible, hands-on approach to nature & hours of work undertaken is essential
- Familiar with Microsoft Office and CRMs (desirable)
- Highly motivated, energetic, positive
- Customer service orientated, friendly & approachable manner
- Able to remain calm under pressure & to diffuse potentially difficult situations
- Sensitive to needs of international students living away from home
- Excellent communicator with students, colleagues, and external clients
- Attention to detail, organised & thorough
All offers are subject to a clear enhanced DBS check and two references. Legally able to work in the UK at commencement of employment.
Why you will love working with EF
- Work in a truly international environment
- Ambition is nurtured and fast-tracked career enhancement opportunities are provided
- Staff are encouraged to innovate, take ownership of their ideas and bring them to fruition
- Global career opportunities
- Pre summer training
- Access to EF Hello language learning
- This has the option to be a live-in position where accommodation and board is provided in return for residential duties (conditions apply)
EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be followed up and will ask specifically whether there is any reason that the applicant should not be engaged in situations where they have responsibility for, or substantial access to, persons under 18. Upon interview all gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily and proof of identity and, where applicable, qualifications will be required. Appropriate suitability checks will be required prior to confirmation of appointment.
EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, identity, parental status, experience, and everything else that makes you unique.
Summer Homestay Coordinator employer: EF Education First Gruppe
Contact Detail:
EF Education First Gruppe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Summer Homestay Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local culture and community in Oxford. Understanding the nuances of the area will help you connect better with both students and host families, making you a more effective Homestay Coordinator.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of EF Education First. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your customer service skills through real-life examples. Be prepared to discuss situations where you've successfully resolved conflicts or improved experiences for others, as this role heavily relies on these abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for cultural exchange and education. Share any personal experiences that highlight your passion for connecting with people from different backgrounds, as this aligns perfectly with EF's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Summer Homestay Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service and working with international students. Emphasise any roles where you've demonstrated strong communication skills and the ability to handle diverse situations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cultural exchange and education. Mention specific experiences that showcase your ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and how you can contribute to the homestay programme.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail, especially in managing records and handling complaints. Mention any familiarity with Microsoft Office and CRMs, as these are desirable for the role.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would respond to questions regarding conflict resolution and providing excellent customer service. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed challenging situations in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at EF Education First Gruppe
✨Show Your Passion for Cultural Exchange
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for connecting international students with host families. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Highlight situations where you resolved issues or improved a service, as this role requires a strong focus on student and host satisfaction.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Flexibility
Since the role involves on-call duties and varying hours, be prepared to discuss your flexibility and hands-on approach. Share instances where you've successfully adapted to changing circumstances or worked under pressure.
✨Highlight Organisational Skills
Given the need for attention to detail and organisation in maintaining accommodation records, come equipped with examples of how you've managed multiple tasks or projects efficiently. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.