In Part 2 of our spotlight on Host Families at Performers College Essex, we meet Gracie-Mae, a first year Trinity Diploma student who lives with Kate, fellow diploma student Arthur, and Kate’s children to hear her experience of living with a host.
Do you think living with a host has been a lot easier moving out on your own?
Yeah, I think living with a host is easier because when you move into a flat, you have so many challenges that you’ve never faced before. Before I moved out, my mum taught me how to do my washing, what meals to cook or prep for the week, but when you move into a host, you also have that freedom of having a family when you need one or coming home and talking to someone if you need someone. Living by yourself, it can just be a bit of a challenge because you’re expected to be an adult straight away.
What have been the benefits for you of living with Kate?
I think the benefits have probably been learning new things, like I cook with Kate a lot. She helps me to do my washing, the responsibilities that I didn’t have to do when I was home. I’ve benefited a lot from living with Arthur, and Kate’s children because I don’t have any siblings. Whenever Kate’s there I also have that parental figure to step in if I ever need it. Or if I ever need like a lift to college or if I ever need advice like I feel like I always have someone like a role model.
Do you think your parents felt more reassured with the fact that you’re moving in with a host rather than going out on your own?
Yeah, I think my parents definitely felt reassured that I was moving into a host because they knew that I was moving into a family situation. Also, they could talk to Kate and hear about other students that had lived here. I think they definitely feel a lot calmer knowing I’m under a roof with an adult and then some other young people to talk to rather than living by myself or with strangers.
What are some of your favourite things about living with Kate and her family?
I think probably some of the best highlights is whenever we go out, like sometimes we’ll go out of an evening to Southend when the fireworks are on and then we’ll get some fish and chips or get an ice cream or go to Adventure Island. And then some of the smaller things could literally just be having dinner together each evening.
Kate always makes sure we’re eating healthy and make sure we’re eating well and staying healthy. She’s always making sure that I’m aware of my health. I love living with Ted and Eve, Kate’s children, I feel like it’s just like having extra friends to be around. There’s always Kate’s friends coming in and out. I get to meet new people. I get to talk to new people. I get to meet Ted and Eve’s friends.
What would you say to an applicant who was maybe nervous about moving away from home?
For an applicant that is nervous, I’d recommend living with a host – it’s a lot easier than like moving into a flat by yourself. I always felt that I was independent, but when I moved here, I realised that I can have a lot of independence while having Kate on hand if I ever need something,
Do you feel like you’ll be more prepared to move out on your own now you’ve had this foundation?
I think I’m definitely going to be more prepared because you have that challenge of moving away while still very young, but you also have the challenges of classes, doing your own washing, making your own lunches, making your own tea – but this is a way of easing you in. So say if I want to move out in second or third year, I’ll have the experience of doing everything I did here and find the extra parts easier. I just think it’s preparing me more, learning things step by step instead of throwing myself into it all in one go.
How do you feel you’ve grown personally from the experience of living here?
I feel like I’ve grown since moving here because, number one, I moved away! I’m still only 17. I moved up here by myself, and obviously I still have that level of comfort with Kate, but it’s actually made me realise how independent I can actually be, and it’s made me become really mature in myself, because I’ve had to take on extra responsibilities.
If you move out in future, will you miss living with Kate?
I think I will definitely miss it. I’m thinking of staying on in second year because I feel like I’m really comfortable here and I’m not in any rush to move out and move into my own flat. I feel like I’ve already had a lot of good memories here. I feel I enjoy it here and I’m so happy here, I think it’s been a really good environment to be in.
Read Part 1 of this blog with Kate here.
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or you can Apply Now, or book an Open Day on our Events page.
