Derry's Foyle International celebrates 20 years of partnership with NWRC

For the past 35 years, Foyle International, has been proudly bringing students from across Europe and beyond to experience life in Derry, immerse themselves in local culture, and improve their English through homestay programmes.

Foyle International was established in 1990 by Derry native Director Paul Murray.

He saw a need for people to learn English and knew how hospitable Derry people would be to welcome them into the city. Since then, they have helped thousands of students improve their English skills and further their career through their linguistic, cultural and vocational courses. They have been running the Junior Summer School programme for almost 35 years, when young teens spend a short stay in Derry to learn English and stay with local host.

Aine Murray Operations Manager shared the popularity of the Junior Summer School programme: “Derry is one of the best places in the world to learn English. We attract students from all over the world and many of our former students return year after year because they know they are guaranteed the highest quality education, a warm Irish welcome, and a unique cultural experience that they will never forget!

“Students regularly express how enriching and memorable it is to live with local families, share meals, and participate in day-to-day life in the city alongside their courses.

“One of our Spanish reps was one of our first students in 1992. Which is so lovely.”

This summer, Foyle International will be running 2-week programmes throughout July and August for young students between the ages of 13-17.

The city will see hundreds of students coming to Derry to not only learn English but travel on excursions throughout Derry and Donegal.

The language school uses North West Regional College as a base for classes for students during the summer.

The college and the language school have been partners for over 20 years.

Leo Murphy Principal & Chief Executive North West Regional College commented: “We are looking forward to hosting this exciting summer school at our Strand Road Campus in partnership with Foyle International.

“2025 will be the 20th year of this collaboration, and this year’s itinerary will see our European visitors undertake learning activities in areas such as English Language, Communication Skills, Arts & Digital, and Culture & Tourism.

“This partnership is part of our widening access and participation strategy, and international exchange initiatives, where we strive to make our learning portfolio and resources accessible to learners from a range of diverse backgrounds, as well as partnering with education and training providers from across Europe and further afield to create opportunities for prosperity.”

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of available host families has dropped dramatically, and this is now affecting the language schools ability to accept new students.

A group of students pose for a picture on Derry’s iconic Peace Bridge.

Aine continued saying: “Sadly, we are having to turn away young people who are eager to visit Derry, learn the language, and integrate into the community all because we simply do not have enough hosts to accommodate them.

“Homestays are the main form of accommodation that we rely on.

“We welcome hosts from all kinds of backgrounds. You can be elderly, single, families, couples, have pets, we cover a wide range of people.

“The hosts welcome the students into their homes, provide them with their meals each day and somewhere to sleep but it is also about introducing them into their way of life.

“The student gets a lot of benefit out of this. Students get a better insight into the culture when they live with locals.

Spanish students take a selfie at Free Derry Corner.

“Many of our hosts find that hosting offers an additional revenue stream, along with the cultural benefits it brings. A weekly expense payment is provided per student to help cover the costs of their stay. For some, it makes financial sense to earn from their spare room.

“We have people that have been hosting with us for 15 years or more. We visit everyone beforehand. We get to know them individually. There are regulations that we follow in terms of safeguarding. References and Access NI checks are required from hosts. We are accredited by the British Council who also set standards for accommodation.

“When signing up, hosts are able to give preferences on what gender or age they would rather host.

“We get some information on students' interests and sometimes we even pair them with a host that has similar interests such as music or sport.

“It’s important to us to know each of our hosts personally, because we are responsible for these young people and their pastoral care.

Derry's murals are a favourite site for the students.

“We have to be really sure that we know exactly where they are going. It must be nerve wreaking to send your young child away and we take it seriously making sure they have a safe place to stay.

“Derry is such a safe city to stay in compared to other locations like Dublin, Manchester or London. The city centre is so compact so it is easy for students to get around and get to know the place.

“We encourage the students to use the public transport which helps them learn too.

“The idea of Homestays has been around since the nineties but personally I feel there has been a cultural shift since then. Maybe we have a different mindset about inviting others into our homes. I’m not sure why.

“When students do come and hosts feel they have an issue then they can always lift the phone to us and we can offer any support they need.

“Some hosts also worry that they have to entertain the students while they are here. That isn’t the case, they are in class all day and have entertainment organised for during the week and Saturdays, so Sunday is really their only free day.

“That’s not to say if the hosts want to go away to say Donegal and bring the student with them then of course they can.

“Homestays happen all over Ireland but a lot of people say the Derry welcome is the best. We are welcoming, hospitableable and really special people. I feel we underestimate ourselves.

Yasmin Doherty with her kids and her Spanish student, Sara.

“It is a great benefit and buzz for the town to have international visitors here. It is good for the local cafes, shops and entertainment venues. So everybody benefits.”

Heather Moran, Accommodation Officer for Foyle International added: “It is peace of mind for the students' parents too that their children are with a family that are going to look after them.

“The children and their parents will get the information about the host before they visit.

“Sometimes they reach out and make contact with the host beforehand. It is great, especially for older hosts. They love having the students in the house for the company. There are so many students that love the experience in Derry they organise trips back for events like Halloween which is amazing for putting Derry on the map.”

Aine continued saying that Foyle International has some amazing stories and friendships that have developed as a result of the homestays:

“At the start some of the hosts can be anxious but once they host their first students they find it so rewarding.

“Years pass and they send each other cards on their birthdays and have even attended each other's weddings. Some hosts have visited as far as India.”

Looking to the future of Foyle International Aine said: “It has been difficult for us the past few years with the impact of covid and brexit. Going forward however we want to keep continuing to grow our student numbers in Derry.

“One way that we want to be able to do that is through more homestay providers. We would love to be able to accommodate more students from further afield. In the past we had a lot of students from outside of Europe, hopefully we can get back to that.

“We would love to start integrating with local community groups to give local teenagers the chance to meet people from other countries and cultures.

Foyle International students v REACH Across in a friendly football in 2022.

“We want to continue working with the College, it is a great partnership to have. Hopefully through them we can continue to promote Derry and keep putting it on the map.”

Foyle International is offering free places to newly arrived refugee families in Derry this summer.

Speaking on this initiative Aine said: “This could really benefit some teenagers that have recently moved to Derry. They might want to improve their English or even meet other people through our activity programme. We would appeal to local schools and community groups to highlight this.”

To find out more about Foyle International visit foyle.eu

HOST TESTIMONIALS

Yasmin & Chris Doherty - “We host because we love the cultural experiences hosting provides our family. Welcoming students into our home isn't just about looking after them for their stay.

“For us, it’s the exchange of our cultures and strengthening bonds with students and their families making lifelong connections along the way.”

Annette McGinley - “For me, hosting is a great way to learn about different cultures. I enjoy listening to student stories about their families, food, education, hobbies and the beautiful countries they’re from.

“I don’t travel but on retirement there are a few countries on my list I know I will visit based on what students have told me.

“I love having the company of students at home. I prefer to host girls, and many of them feel like daughters I never had. It’s like gaining another family member. Many students continue to stay in contact for years after. Actually, I have had students who returned to visit for a holiday. I have such great memories of hosting.”

Mark Campbell - “I enjoy hosting students as I find it very rewarding to take care of someone again, because my children are adults now and have their own lives. I enjoy the (students’) company and taking them to see some of the country while they are here.”

Joan - “I’ve been hosting with Foyle International for over 2 years. I have to say that the whole experience has been great. The students come from all over the world. The experience of getting to know all their different personalities (and each one is individual!) is special.

“I havent had a bad experience to date. I love that the student can brighten your day – they have lots of stories to tell which is very interesting.

Host Joan with her homestay students.

“Through my hosting journey I’ve made friends for life. It's very rewarding when they tell you how wonderful their stay with me in Derry was.

“I never thought it would be for me, but I love it. Everyone with a spare room should give it a go.”