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Hosts

Need specialist insurance? Homestay hosts across the UK welcome international students into their homes, whether that’s for short stays or year-round courses. However, what many don’t know is that they might not have the correct level of protection with a standard household policy. Read our blog to find out how you can get covered at a highly competitive rate with Warm Welcome Homestay and Endsleigh Insurance

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Jonathan Wilkins

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April 14, 2022

Heavy Metal – you heard it first in Birmingham

When you think of Heavy Metal, one band springs to mind immediately – Black Sabbath. Fronted by the infamous Ozzy Osbourne, notorious for biting the head off a bat live on stage back in the 1970’s, Black Sabbath pioneered the heavy metal sound, right here in Birmingham. 50 years later, they’ve sold more than 75 million albums worldwide, been ranked by MTV as the ‘Greatest Metal Band of all time’ and listed by Rolling Stone Magazine in their ‘100 greatest artists of all time’. In 2019 Black Sabbath received a Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Grammys.

Jonathan Wilkins

January 7, 2021

Birmingham Sites That Inspired Tolkien

Not only is Birmingham the backdrop and inspiration for the hit BBC TV series Peaky Blinders, it’s also the city where JRR Tolkien grew up and many of the places he describes in his books are real life locations here in the city.

Jonathan Wilkins

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

In and around Birmingham you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to learning about the rich history of the city. There are 89 specialist Museums and Art Galleries across the Birmingham region, so you’re never short of options if you want to delve into the past. In this edition, we are aiming the spotlight on Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) located in the city centre in a beautiful landmark building established in 1885. It has an international collection of exhibits covering fine art, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, archaeology, natural history, local history and industrial history.

Students & Guests

7 ways to practise your English speaking skills whilst staying at home

In this article we look at ways you can practise and improve your English speaking skills whilst staying at home during the Covid-19 lockdown. Many English language schools are providing online courses so that students can continue their studies at home but for those who do not have access to such learning resources, here are some fun ways you can continue with your English speaking practice at home.

Jonathan Wilkins

What to Do if Your English Student Guest Becomes Ill

In this article we provide advice on what to do if your English language student guest becomes ill or has an accident whilst staying with you in your home in Birmingham.

Jonathan Wilkins

Theatre Land Birmingham

Birmingham is an important cultural centre for theatre in the UK and has been for many years. The tradition started as early as the 1740’s and is still going strong today. In this week’s blog discover current and upcoming Birmingham musicals, plays, operas, pantomimes, stand-up comedy, concerts and more - there’s an introduction to each theatre and a link to their websites for full listings of what’s on right now and in the coming months.

February 24, 2020

Birmingham's Famous Balti Triangle

The Balti is ours! Although other cities may claim to be the birthplace of the Chicken Tikka Masala, in Birmingham we have an even greater claim - we are the Home of the Balti. Read our latest blog to discover more.

February 2, 2020

Packed lunches for students

More and more parents of younger aged students here for a short study trip or a work experience placement are requesting packed lunches be provided for their children. Here we have a look at some cost effective ideas that won't break the bank...

Jonathan Wilkins

January 21, 2020

Walking tours of Birmingham

The best way to get around is on foot - you see it all. From the industrial heritage the city is renowned for to the old haunts of the infamous Peaky Blinders, you can enjoy an edutaining walking tour of Birmingham whilst you stay in the second city.

October 10, 2019

Students & Guests

Learn English in Birmingham

Come to Birmingham and learn English. Unlike London and Manchester that are awash with English language schools, Birmingham has just a select few. In this article we look at the leading British Council accredited English Language Schools in Birmingham and the courses they offer students coming to live, study and work in the city.

Students & Guests

Why YOU should choose Birmingham

With Birmingham's skyline ever-changing, its youthful population expanding and cultural identity evolving, there's no better time to choose Birmingham as your destination for learning.

Jonathan Wilkins

Students & Guests

5 reasons to choose Homestay when studying in Birmingham

Here at Warm Welcome we believe homestay accommodation is the best choice for students starting out on their education careers in Birmingham. Staying with a host family allows you to experience British culture first hand and most importantly practise and improve your English language skills. It may well be one of your most enjoyable University experiences. It's an excellent option for international students on the ERASMUS programme too. If you’re wondering why you should choose homestay, read on…

Jonathan Wilkins

February 11, 2019

Why develop your career in Brum rather than London

There’s never been a better time to live, study and work in Birmingham. Centrally located within easy reach of the UK’s major cities, it couldn’t be more convenient. And it’s not just students that love Birmingham as a place to live. More and more professionals from London are moving away from the capital to develop their careers here in the Midlands, especially Birmingham.

November 28, 2018

Warm Welcome News

Hijiyama University visits Birmingham

Japanese students from Hijiyama University in Hiroshima, Japan chose Birmingham for their recent three-week English language trip, using the services of wonderful Warm Welcome homestay hosts for their accommodation. Take a look at their journey below.

Jonathan Wilkins

September 28, 2018

Students & Guests

Forget Brexit - It’s ‘business as usual’ in Britain

What’s all the fuss over Brexit? All EU students and Interns are WELCOME! Nothing is changing for the foreseeable future, and in the meantime Britain remains the best place in Europe to do your international placement or internship.

September 24, 2018

Students & Guests

Top Tips to make your homestay experience a success

Considering or are you about to embark on a homestay experience? Read our top tips to make it a success for you and your hosts.

Jonathan Wilkins

Birmingham’s Art Deco Picture Houses

In this week’s blog we look at two fantastic examples of picturehouses from the halcyon days of the picture house: Kingstanding and Sutton Coldfield.

Warm Welcome News

Brasshouse Languages Partnership

Warm Welcome are now working with the prestigious Brasshouse Languages centre in Birmingham, providing homestays for their students.

Jonathan Wilkins

Birmingham's Famous Canals

In this week’s blog we explore Birmingham’s canals – one of the great wonders of the industrial world. We’ll look back to the glorious age of the industrial revolution when Birmingham was firmly planted as the City of 1000 trades to now as Birmingham is emerging from its slumber to claim its place as a metropolis of the modern age.

Iconic buildings of Brum - Part 2

For most of us who live in Birmingham, we often take for granted how lucky we are in terms of architecture. We have an exciting combination of futuristic, contemporary and traditional all in one place. So, let’s take a look at a few more of the iconic buildings of Brum.

Jonathan Wilkins

Real-life Peaky Blinders Sites in Birmingham

The TV series Peaky Blinders is synonomous with Birmingham. Discover some of the sites of the Peaky Blinders and their history and real-life settings in Birmingham.

Iconic buildings of Brum - Part 1

England’s second largest city, Birmingham, has undergone some serious cosmetic surgery over the past 20 years and is finally shifting the image of an ugly concrete jungle to that of a modern metropolis for the 21st century. Birmingham now boasts some of the finest architectural structures in Europe, but what exactly makes Brum the culture loving city it is? Read on to find out more…

Jonathan Wilkins

February 20, 2018

Top Tips for a successful hosting experience

How do you make a hosting experience a successful one? Here are our top tips to ensure you and your guest have a great homestay experience.

February 12, 2018

Benefits of Hosting International Students

Hosting English language students in Birmingham – the benefits to you, the host.

Jonathan Wilkins

January 18, 2018

Warm Welcome News

Warm Welcome Partners with EDSkills

Warm Welcome is fast forging a reputation as Birmingham’s premier homestay provider for international language students. This reputation has enabled us to agree a partnership with one of Birmingham’s leading English language schools, EDSkills.

Jonathan Wilkins

January 4, 2018