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Suzie Mackie has been a Homestay host and guardian to a large number of students over the years. Here are case studies and testimonials from just a few of them: Katya (Russia)
I had studied English at school in Russia, but my English wasn’t good enough, so I enrolled at a summer school in the UK to learn English, and this is where I met Suzie Mackie. The first thing I remember about Suzie was her very kind smile. Her smile calmed me down, which was good, as I was terrified, I couldn’t understand anything, anyone was saying! After finishing at the summer school, I was much more confident with my level of English, and on Suzie’s advice, I applied for and was accepted in to, King Edward’s School in Surrey. During my first year at the boarding school, when I was only 15 years old, I realised I missed being part of a family and the family lifestyle. I spoke to my parents and they agreed that I could live with an English family. Naturally I went to Suzie for advice, as she had become a friend, and I found out that she lived very close to the school. She offered to be my guardian, and invited me to live in her house with her and the rest of the family. I was delighted and I moved in straight away and stayed with them until I had finished my A-levels and was 18 years old. In fact, while I was staying with Suzie, she took in another student, a chinese girl Sue, who she was also guardian to. This girl eventually became my best friend and is now godmother to my daughter. After school I went to university to study economics and I then went on to take my master’s degree in management. It was whilst studying for the master’s that I met my husband, Nadeem. Even though I no longer live with Suzie and her family, we keep in touch with phone calls and visits, and whenever I feel I need some advice I can always call Suzie and she is there for me. In fact, the whole family, Suzie, her husband Jonathan and her sons Alex, Dominic and Christopher, have always been there for me: on birthdays, my wedding day, whilst giving birth to my daughter, her first birthday and many other important events in my life. “Indeed, the whole family, including the dog “Radar”, were so good to me I really felt like part of the family. All in all, I couldn’t advise anyone of a better family to stay with, and become part of.” Ekaterina Samaha (Kharchenko) Max (Russia)
He lived with Suzie and her family during his time at school until the completion of his GCSEs. When he moved on to Seaford College to study for and take his A-levels, he continued to stay with Suzie at the weekends. The family would ensure that Max was collected from school on a Friday afternoon and would return him to the college on the following Sunday evening. Max had his own room within Suzie’s household, as do all children in guardian care, so that he had his own space and privacy, but was always treated very much as part of the family. He learned to drive whilst living with Suzie and she has met his family on several occasions in Russia. Suzie says, “Max is my Russian son. He has turned out to be a fine young man and I look forward to following his life and career.” Max is now reading Business Management at Oxford Brookes University and continues to stay in touch with Suzie and all the family. Maggie (China)
Suzie says, “Maggie was, and is, a very independent and organised young lady. During her time with us she was able to go out on her own, see friends and even visit London by train. She didn’t need a lot of support but was always part of the family at those times when she did.” Maggie is now studying medicine at Bristol University and continues to stay in touch with Suzie. She even returned to the family home for a few nights before Suzie and her husband drove Maggie down to the south coast of England to start her university course. “Maggie is a lovely girl, very bright and she really made an effort to integrate with the UK students. I believe she will be a very successful doctor and I will be there to join in the celebrations when she graduates” added Suzie. Frances (China) Suzie was a great source of support to both Frances and her parents, with whom she still stays in touch. She met Frances’ father on his visit to the UK and met her mother when Suzie went out to Shanghai . She attended Parents’ conferences on their behalf and reported back to them on Frances’ progress. She also ensured that Frances was dropped off and collected form the airport whenever necessary. Frances was accompanied by Suzie on a speculative visit to Southampton University, on England’s south coast, where Frances completed her degree studies.
Dorothy and Hamilton (Hong Kong)
I am now studying A Levels at Prior's Field School and my brother is in year 9 at King Edward's School. It has been lovely to be able to spend my exeat and half terms with my brother at Suzie's house - it is like being at home when we are together" Connie, Dorothy and Hamilton's mother says, "As a parent I feel totally comfortable when my children stay with the Mackie family because as well as being a safe environment, it also provides sufficient freedom. My children always say the Mackie family home is their second home! I highly recommend Suzie Mackie as a guardian to your children.
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My name is Ekaterina and I am from Russia. I came to England at the age of 14, when my parents decided it would be better for my future to study in England. 
Max came to the UK from Russia to study. He first met Suzie when he was 14 years old, whilst enrolled at a boarding school in Frensham Heights, Surrey. He had already been placed with several guardians, prior to being in Suzie’s care.
Maggie came to the UK to study for her GCSEs and proceeded to enrol at Charterhouse School in Ascot for her A-levels. As Maggie’s guardian, Suzie welcomed her into the family and the household, where she stayed during her exeats, half terms and holidays from school. 
Frances lived with Suzie and her family whilst studying for her A-levels at King Edward’s School, Witley. She stayed at the family home during exeats, half terms and holidays from school.
"Suzie has been Guardian to my brother and I for a couple of years. When my parents decided to send us to the UK to study, we needed to find a guardian and my best friend from Hong Kong recommended Suzie to us as she was her Guardian. Suzie has been our English Mum and we love staying with her at her house. 
