What is can be like for the International student and how to create a Long Term Homestay Environment.

An international student will experience a cycle of adjustments when he/she arrives in Australia because of homesickness, differences in environment, language, and customs.

An awareness of the possibility of unusual behaviour may help a host family to be sensitive to the student's needs.

A host family is expected to provide the student with a friendly home environment that is safe and clean.  The student should have a private room with a study area, all basic furniture and necessary household items.  The student will require three meals a day and should be treated as a member of the family.  He/she should not be asked to do heavy housework or babysitting.  Whenever possible, the family is asked to give practical assistance to the student and to introduce the student to Australian culture.

Pre-Arrival / Arrival

• When your student arrives in your house, please show him/her around the house and introduce him/her to all members of the family.
• You will want to tell the student how to address you and other family members.  Ask the student by what name he/she should be addressed.
• Many international students are not accustomed to household pets. Therefore, please exercise considerable caution when the student first arrives.

The First Days / Weeks

• Help your student familiarize with your neighbourhood and the general areas and facilities in your area. Accompany your student on their first time to school.
• If you have any children, encourage them to talk to the student.  Be aware that your children and the student might require additional time to accept each other. Talk to both your children and the student and help them get used to each other.
• Let the student know your family's schedule and house rules. In particular, the use of the telephone, meal times, and friends visiting. Please bear in mind that house rules should be reasonable and realistic.  When your student arrives, a welcome message with the house rules attached will probably be received very well.  Sit down and discuss the schedule and house rules with your student and give him/her a copy of each for reference.  Enforce all house rules firmly but respectfully.
• Be sure to give your student a house key and a card with your name, address, and telephone number(s) in case he/she has to contact you.
• Ask the student about likes and dislikes, especially concerning food.  Take the student shopping.  Inquire about food and meal preparation in the student's culture.
• Be sure your student knows what he/she can use to prepare breakfast and/or lunch.  If the food is in the freezer, please take it out and put in the fridge the night before.  Let the student know what he/she can have for snacks.
• Be aware that your student might find his/her room cold. An extra blanket may be the answer.  Also, suggestions to dress more warmly can help.
• Let your student know where to put dirty clothes if you do his/her laundry.  Be sure the student knows how to operate the machines, especially if you wish the student to do his/her laundry.
• Let the student know how he/she should pay for long distance telephone calls.  Telephone cards are probably the most convenience way to pay for the calls.  Let the student know where to buy the telephone cards.  If your student wishes to have his/her own line, please help him/her to apply.  If you offer the use of your computer/internet, make sure you set a rule for time and cost. (Refer Host Conditions)

Ongoing     

• Spending some time with your student everyday is very important.  Conversation helps your student get to know you better, practice speaking English, and learn about Australian culture.  This can be an enriching experience for you also.
• Stress punctuality to the student.  Explain that Australians are time conscious and that lateness is often seen as disrespectful.
• Food for the student should be nutritious and sufficient By our calculation, half of the homestay payment should be spent on food for the student.  apart from the three meals, a couple of snacks a day should be provided.  Be sensitive to the fact that your student is facing major dietary changes.
• Host families are expected to cook dinner and weekend meals, and eat meals with the student most of the time.  During school days, students should be able to prepare their own breakfasts and bagged lunches once they feel comfortable to do so.
• Conversation during mealtimes may not be the custom in all cultures.  As well, your student might be timid in speaking English.  It will take time for your student to get accustomed to his/her new environment.
• The student's room is a private space for the student.  You have reasonable access to the room; although, in normal circumstances entrance should be in the presence of your student.
• The student's room will have a bed, a closet, a desk, and a night table.  If the lighting is poor in the student's room, please provide a desk lamp.
• Please provide the student with toilet paper and detergent.  If is also advisable to provide bath soap, especially if your student shares the bathroom with other family members.
• Invite the student to join in family activities but be understanding if he/she declines the invitation.
• Please realize that the student is a young adult.  He/she is lonely, often disoriented with the new physical and social environment, and may be struggling to lean a new language.  Culture shock often produces a sense of insecurity.  Be tolerant, honest, and courteous when communicating with your student. Try to listen patiently and offer support when necessary.
• Improper behaviour towards a student is unacceptable.  Should this happen, the student will be moved immediately.  Certain behaviours may be perceived by the student as inappropriate.  Communication is the key.
• If an emergency involving a student occurs, the host family will provide necessary assistance to the student.  If the incident is serious or life-threatening, contact Homestay Australia immediately.

If you have any problem or concern regarding your student, try talk to the student.  If it cannot be solved, please contact us.  We will do our utmost to help you and your student find a solution.

Homestay Australia