Encounters in the UK tells the story of four girls from different countries who travel to Cambridge in England to study English and stay with local families in what is called a "homestay" arrangement. In the film, we also meet several of the host families as well as a consultant who helps match homestay students to families. For the four girls the homestay arrangement is a positive experience. As one of the homestay hosts explains: "It's going to be a great experience, not only in terms of learning English, but in learning about life."