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The Smartest Place Under The Sun |
 Australia |
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The Smartest Place Under The Sun |
Australia |
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Homestay should be a positive and rewarding experience!
This information is designed to help you adjust to life with your Homestay family as quickly as possible so that the cultural exchange is a happy one. Please use it as a guide and seek further assistance from your Homestay family or Homestay Coordinator if you wish to have any points clarified.
All families have undergone an orientation process, homes have been inspected and your family will have support from the Homestay Coordinators if they experience any difficulties hosting students. Families apply to the take part in the program to experience a cross cultural exchange, to learn from you about your country and to teach their children to understand people from all over the world.
Although Homestay may require you to confront fundamental differences between cultures and a different way of living, the benefits certainly outweigh any problems you may encounter – if you let them!
Please remember that your Homestay Coordinator is available any time to help with any difficulties and if you have a problem please call the Homestay Coordinator straight away so that they may assist you.
Communication is the Key!
Communication is the most important ability to develop. Communication skills will allow any uncertainties you may have to be openly discussed and your fears dealt with. Your family will not mind how many questions you ask or how often you speak to them. Try to remember that they will want to make your stay with them a happy one but may not realise you are unhappy about something unless you say. Smile and explain politely if there is something you do not understand. They will be more than happy to assist you to adapt to your new lifestyle.
Homestay Makes it Easy!
A safe, protected environment from the moment you arrive without the worry of finding somewhere to live, having electricity and telephone connected and not having to do the shopping. Your family will also help with familiarising you to your new surroundings and the journey to your place of study. You will have your own room (if you have not requested twin-share) with a study desk and lamp and a comfortable bed and two or three meals a day depending upon the package you have chosen. For example package 2 on the application form is Breakfast and Dinner – Monday to Friday and Breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends. Since lunch is not included in this package, students are required to provide their own. The homestay family provides the food for the students and in some cases, for example breakfast the student can prepare their own. This is the Australian way of life.
For more mature students, since families live close to a bus-stop, families do not provide transport unless this has been specifically requested and students are expected to catch a bus to their place of study. Unless you have requested “Room Only” the Homestay family will spend evening meals with you and converse with you so that your level of English will greatly improve.
You may be living with another international student but this will not be of the same nationality, unless requested. StudyGoldCoast will only place students with another student of the same gender. E.g. Female students with female students. \A Little About Australians
Australians do not discriminate – it is against the law. Please note that Australia welcomes people from all nations and our program reflects this. Under Australian law all citizens are equal. This means that men and women are equal and it does not matter what country a person comes from, they will be treated as an equal and you should treat them as equal.
Consequently you may find that you are placed in Homestay with Australians who have not been born in Australia. English may be their second language too! However they will be fluent in English even if they have an accent and the husband and wife may come from different countries. Your Homestay family may consist of a single woman who may, or may not have children. This is part of our culture – the culture of a country you are coming to live in! Sometimes this is a preference of a student to live with a single person or a full family.
Your Homestay family may also have animals. Sometimes dogs and cats live inside the house with the family; sometimes outside this is very common in Australia.
In the majority of families in Australia both the wife and husband go out to work. Wives do not necessarily stay home and become servants to their families. You will be required to assist generally, just as their own children do, in light tasks such as setting the table, washing up and keeping your own room clean and tidy. You will be expected to do your own laundry unless your Homestay family offers to do this for you. If you do not know how to do this then they will teach you.
When living in a private home, remember that a courteous and considerate attitude is always appreciated. Each member is treated equally and with respect. It is important to smile and say “please” when you ask for something and “thank you” when you receive it.
Some Expectations your Family May Have
Courtesy
Your family will expect to know where you are at all times. If you are not returning home for your evening meal you must let your family know before they have cooked your dinner. A telephone call at lunch time is all that is needed. If your family is at work then ask them how you may leave a message. If you are staying out with your friends, again please let your family know - this may be done by telephone. Please also ask your family first before inviting friends to your family’s home. Remember, always be friendly, polite and courteous to your family, they have opened their home to you.
Although informal, Australians do not like to be late for appointments so if you have been invited to visit or meet a family friend it is most important to be on time. If you can’t be in time, please do not forget to call your family and explain why you can not to be in time.
Most families will only allow smoking outside their home. If you smoke please ask your host family if you may smoke and where you may smoke in their home. Smoking is not allowed in buses and public buildings. Australia is dry country; therefore it is very easy to catch a serious fire. Please remember to put out your cigarette.
Water Restrictions
THE GOLD COAST HAS STRICT WATER RESTRICTIONS: SHOWERS MUST BE KEPT VERY SHORT (LESS THAN 4 MINS)
Using the Bathroom
It is most important to communicate with your family regarding the use of the bathroom. Australians usually shower although most houses have a bathtub. Your own bathroom is not a requirement of homestay. In many parts of Australia there are drought areas. You will not be able to fill the bath or use as much water as you may like. Perhaps one-third to half full will be the most hot water you may use.
Check with your host family first. Most homes have a hot water system from which hot water is run directly into the bath. This hot water is electrically heated and therefore limited. We do not have gas systems such as you may have at home. If you fill the bath with hot water, there will be no hot water for anyone else to bath or shower.
Ask your host parents how long you may use the bathroom. Usually ten minutes will be the maximum, but check to be certain. You should not occupy the bathroom for more than fifteen minutes or others will be kept waiting. When you have finished using the bathroom please clean the bathroom and wipe down any areas where you have splashed water. If you do not know how to use the bathroom, please ask your Homestay family and they will be happy to explain to you.
INTERNET Access is available at the University or School. Students may request internet access, but please be aware it is not a requirement for Homestay
Using the Telephone
Please ask your host family before you use the telephone so that you can arrange to pay for your telephone calls. The easiest way to make international calls is to use a telephone card. Please ensure that you pay your telephone account with your family before you move out. There is information regarding the use of the telephone in the White Pages Telephone Directly.
Make sure that you do not use the telephone to make calls, or to receive calls during the late evening (after 9 pm) or during the night. This is not appropriate or acceptable in Australia. Keep telephone calls to a minimum so that the telephone is available for use to other family members.
Sleeping with the Lights on
It is usual to sleep with the lights off in Australia and considered wasteful of energy resources to leave lights on all night.
Using your family’s items
Please ask your family’s permission to use the television or other items and how to use them correctly.
Using a Heater
In winter your family may give you a heater. Turn if off overnight and sleep under the blankets or cover on the bed. It is dangerous to leave a heater on all night.
Recycling is a popular trend in Australia
You may notice your family has two rubbish bins. Ask your family to let you know the correct usage of these bins.
Security
It is not usual for bedroom doors to have locks. If you close your door it will act as a sign to your family that you do not wish to be disturbed. If you are returning home before your family returns then they will give you a front door key so you can get in. If they do not do this, then ask for one politely.
Other Family Members
If you plan to have a family member stay in Australia then please advise the Homestay Coordinator who will assist in finding suitable accommodation. At times, if given enough notice perhaps they will be able to stay with your host family although it may be difficult to find the space in the family’s home.
Leaving Homestay
Should you leave your Homestay after giving required noticed, for any reason please make sure that you have paid any outstanding telephone or other bills and that you let your place of study know your new address.
Inappropriate Questions
Asking personal questions can sometimes cause embarrassment. In Australia it is considered impolite to ask a person’s age, occupation or religion. It is also impolite to ask how much money someone earns or whether they own their own home. To tell someone they are fat or ugly is considered extremely rude. Australians respect each other and recognise friends and relations as equals.
Guests
Though at times your Homestay family will be happy to have your friends over, if you would like to have a guest visit please ask your Homestay family if it is alright. You should not invite a friend to stay overnight. Please don’t forget that you are in somebody’s home and not a hotel.
Smoking
Smoking may be allowed at some homestay families, if it is allowed there will be restrictions as to where you can smoke in the home. Queensland has strict smoking laws please see below:
Abiding By The Law
All students are expected to be aware and abide by the laws of Australia, for example, respect legal age of drinking, no theft, no possession of drugs, wear a bicycle helmet, etc. If students break the law they will be removed immediately from homestay, may face legal charges and could face prosecution which can lead to being deported.
Alcohol and Drugs
The legal age for drinking alcohol in Australia is eighteen years. There are heavy fines for people who drive while under the influence of alcohol. You are permitted to drive with a blood alcohol content of less than. 0.05%, which is approximately one glass of beer. All drivers may be stopped and tested by police to see if they have been drinking. In Australian hotels and bars, you should expect to pay for each drink as you buy it. The Australian custom of “shouting” means that if someone buys you a drink you are expected to “shout” him or her back by buying them a drink. If you wish to bring alcohol into your host family’s home please ask permission first. If alcohol is offered, you may choose if you wish to drink it or not.
The use of drugs and drug trafficking is illegal in Australia and carries heavy penalties.
Hygiene
In Australia it is not acceptable to spit. It you need to spit please leave the room and use the toilet. It is considered polite to blow your nose into a handkerchief or tissue but it is not polite to sniff.
It is usual to sit on the toilet seat in Australia. Please do not stand on the toilet seat as you may break it. Please leave the toilet clean and tidy as you find it. Always remember to flush the toilet after you have used it.
If you are Unhappy
You may seek assistance if you feel that you need help in settling in to your family’s home. Moving Homestay is not encouraged and not an automatic process. It is at the discretion of the Homestay Manager and cannot be decided by your agent or friends. It is in your own interest to try to make appropriate changes by understanding your family’s household. Remember that communication is the key!
If we are unable to resolve the issue between you and your homestay family, the homestay manager will take the appropriate action.
Cancellation Policy
If you apply to live with a homestay family and decide to cancel 4 weeks prior to your arrival there will be a $100.00AUD cancellation fee. This is not negotiable.
INFORMATION ON SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT We have listed some of the major banks that are on the Gold Coast and their web links to their student account information. Please have a look through the different websites before you come to Australia so that when you arrive you will have an idea on who you would like to set up your account with. Each website has a list of what you will require to set up your bank account and where they are located. Please ask your homestay for directions to the closest location. NATIONAL BANK OF AUSTRALIA http://www.national.com.au/Personal_Finance/0,,61156,00.html COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA http://www.commbank.com.au/personal/Youth/Overseas.asp AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANK http://www.anz.com.au/aus/personal/everyday/int_students.asp WESTPAC http://www.westpac.com.au/internet/publish.nsf/Content/PBTSYC+Student TRAVEL EX ST GEORGE http://www.stgeorge.com.au/accounts/transaction/freedom_student.asp?orc=personal INFORMATION ON SETTING UP A MOBILE PHONE There are many mobile phone providers in Australia. We recommend Talk Down Under as they are also an International phone provider. You can visit their website at: Or you can visit one of their many shops on the Gold Coast once you arrive. SOME IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBER TO KEEP CLOSE WHEN IN AUSTRALIA Translating & Interpreting Service: 131450 Emergency Services Police 000 Ambulance 000 Fire 000 Non-emergencies and General Enquiries QLD Police Service (07) 5570 7888 QLD Regional Fire & Rescue (07) 3 287 8500 Non urgent Ambulance 13 12 33 Drug & Alcohol Information Service (07) 5535 4302 Gold Coast Hospital (07) 5571 8211 Poisons Information Service 131 126 State Emergency Service (07) 5591 1177 Australian Health Management (Insurance) 134 246 DIMIA 131 881 |
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